Tina Sharkey
Global Keynote Speaker, Moderator, Convener, and Professor at the USC Iovine and Young Academy
Tina Sharkey, who coined the term “social media,” is a magnetic storyteller, adviser, educator, and award-winning entrepreneur who sparks innovation at the intersection of AI, brand, and human connection. She guides both established leaders and next-gen innovators, drawing on decades of experience leading iconic brands, scaling startups, and shaping elite Gen Z classrooms. Known for her rare gift of connecting dots across industries and generations, Tina is a sought-after keynote speaker, panel moderator, and event host and curator who delivers actionable strategies with warmth, humor, and clarity. She leaves audiences energized, inspired, and equipped to navigate disruption with resilience.
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Tina Sharkey, who coined the term “social media,” is a business leader, educator, adviser, and award-winning entrepreneur driving innovation at the intersection of AI, brand, and human connection.
For more than three decades, she has built transformative platforms and communities across media, commerce, health, and consumer goods. A founder, C-suite executive, and global board director, Tina has pioneered resilient frameworks for growth in the relationship and experience economy.
As faculty and Lecturer in the Business of Innovation at the USC Iovine and Young Academy, she directs Innovation Quest, guiding student founders, and serves as Principal Investigator for a Generative AI grant advancing student-led ventures. She equips future leaders with the tools to build modern brands and sustainable business playbooks, bridging insights between Gen Z innovators and seasoned executives to shape the future of business. Her rare gift lies in connecting dots across industries, generations, and technologies, turning emerging trends into actionable strategies.
Tina led Sesame Street Digital, bringing the brand online for the first time, and scaled BabyCenter, part of Johnson & Johnson, into the world’s largest parenting community. She also led AOL Networks and co-founded Brandless and iVillage, two pioneering industry disrupters.
A Henry Crown fellow at the Aspen Institute, Tina was named Business Insider’s Top 100 People Transforming Business and Fast Company’s Top Women in Technology among other accolades. Tina has inspired audiences on global stages and is known for her warmth, humor, and clarity. She helps leaders navigate disruption with trust, empathy, and resilience, guided by her belief that “a brand isn’t what it says about itself; it’s what a friend tells a friend.”
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Tina Sharkey
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Tina Sharkey’s Speech Topics
The Future of Work is Enlightened
AI can accelerate our potential, but it’s the soul that makes us uniquely human. This talk explores the power of enlightened leadership and how to nurture the soul as a critical sixth sense. Drawing from her experience following a recent health crisis, Tina shares how great leaders can balance machine acceleration with human intuition, ignite innovation, and foster empathy and courage in uncertain times.
Community is Serious Business
Community is the engine that turns loyal customers into champions. In an AI‑driven, creator‑powered market, knowing how to build the right community matters more than ever. This talk reveals why community is critical today, what “enough” looks like, and how to weave it into your business. It lays out a sustainable roadmap to turn community into lasting loyalty, innovation, and growth.
The Innovation Imperative
Disruption and AI are not future threats. They are present realities dismantling outdated business models. This custom talk delivers the strategic frameworks, case studies, and operational tools I teach at USC and bring to global enterprises. In a world without fixed playbooks, learn how to institutionalize innovation, build adaptive advantage, and lead with foresight.
The DNA of Modern Brands
Success in the modern relationship economy hinges on how brands connect, adapt, and engage with Gen A, Gen Z, and Millennials. This disruptive playbook equips business leaders with strategies to leverage innovation, AI, and case studies to transform how we shop, discover, and co-create, ensuring your brands remain relevant, resilient, and ahead in the race for competitive advantage.
Experienced Moderator
Tina Sharkey, a skilled host and moderator, effortlessly covers a wide range of subjects, including disruptive technologies, brand dynamics, innovation, education, and emerging trends, showcasing her ability to delve into virtually any topic with thorough research. Whether moderating engaging discussions with best-selling authors and top CEOs at private dinners or commanding the stage at large conference halls, Tina excels in making her guests and audience feel at ease. Her approachable manner and insightful questioning encourage guests to share their best stories and insights. Tina’s sessions are not just informative but also interactive and comfortable, ensuring a memorable experience for all participants.
Thank You, We Love You — A Playbook for Building Brands, Harnessing AI, and Fueling Enterprise Growth in the New Economy
In today's dynamic business landscape, the extraordinary power of community-driven success reigns supreme, transforming modern brands into vibrant ecosystems. Join Tina Sharkey, a renowned brand builder, thought leader, and Lecturer of Business Innovation at USC's Iovine and Young Academy, as she unveils a transformative playbook that integrates the principles of community, harnesses the potential of AI, and propels enterprise growth in the ever-evolving New Economy.
Tina takes you on a journey through the profound impact of community-building on renowned brands like Apple, Nike, Starbucks, and more. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, discover how community prioritizes people over products, fosters authentic relationships with stakeholders, and forms the bedrock of trust upon which resilient brands are built.
Explore the disruptive concept of "going to the community," a paradigm shift rapidly replacing traditional "go to market" strategies. Understand why Chief Marketing Officers are stepping into the role of Chief Community Officers, redefining their mission in the modern business world. Dive deep into the dynamics of network effects, tokenization, and loyalty love loops that drive enduring success in the community-driven era.
But this isn't just theory; it's a playbook brimming with actionable insights derived from Tina's extensive experience with iconic brands and startups alike. Gain practical takeaways and a clear roadmap for implementing community-driven strategies that can revolutionize your brand's narrative, fuel its growth, and foster meaningful connections with stakeholders.
As Tina aptly puts it, "A brand is not what you say about yourself; it is what a friend tells a friend." Discover how this principle drives her approach and how you can integrate it into your brand narrative, strategy, and strategic growth. Explore the power of stakeholder collaboration and co-creation, where AI tools play a vital role in this new landscape.
Don't miss this opportunity to harness the power of AI and co-creation to enhance your brand's community, elevate its connection with stakeholders, and thrive in the New Economy. Join Tina Sharkey and embark on a transformative journey into the world of community-driven success—a must for businesses seeking to make an indelible mark in the digital age.
Unlocking Joy: The Art of Receptional Design
"Unlocking Joy: The Art of Receptional Design" is a captivating journey deeply rooted in the realm of modern brand experiences, product, and functional interaction UI & UX design. In this enlightening exploration, Tina Sharkey, Lecturer Business of Innovation at The Iovine and Young Academy at USC, delves into the intricate science of understanding and masterfully applies empathy to product design, forging profound connections within user experiences. She unveils the cognitive underpinnings that guide how the brain processes information, ultimately molding the way a product or service evokes emotions, including the pivotal role that language plays.
However, this journey transcends conventional design boundaries. It ventures into the realm of machine learning and generative AI, unveiling the potential for predictive personalized messaging and interactions tailored to each user's unique journey. This pioneering approach not only maps empathy but also fosters unwavering loyalty and deepens engagement, fundamentally reshaping your perception and interaction with the world.
Join Tina Sharkey as she showcases the transformative power of Receptional Design, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary sources of joy that leave indelible smiles on your face. Prepare to embark on a journey that will revolutionize your comprehension of modern brand experiences, product, and service design, placing the art of joyful reception at the forefront of your user experiences.
What other organizations say about Tina Sharkey
Having long been a fan of the genius of Tina Sharkey, I can say she was among the best speakers we’ve had. Her leadership, clear vision, exceptional investigative and distillation skills are incomparable. Tina adds expertise and a brilliant perspective to every conversation.
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