Joel Cohen, Writer and Co-Executive Producer on The Simpsons will be in Edmonton on Thursday, April 8th at Alberta College’s Muttart Hall (10050 MacDonald Drive) at 7pm. Cohen will deliver a hilarious and provocative talk on “Lessons in Creativity and Innovation from The Simpsons”.
A Calgary native who graduated from the University of Alberta (’88 BSc), Joel Cohen earned his MBA and found success in the corporate world before making a completely illogical career move into comedy writing. Luckily for him (and taxpayers who fund the welfare system), it all worked out: he became an Emmy-winning writer for The Simpsons – “the greatest TV show of the 20th century” (Time). Cohen’s experience as both a “creative” and a “suit” has not only left him with a puzzling resume, it also gives him a unique perspective to discuss innovation, creativity and their place in business. “The same factors that allow creativity to arise, to live or to die for writers are also present and relevant in corporations and even individuals.” His insights are entertaining, highly practical and slightly tinged with a Canadian accent (Canadian accent not guaranteed).
Armed with inspired anecdotes and clips, Cohen takes the audience into the fabled writers’ room at The Simpsons to draw the links between maintaining a hit show and running a successful company. He asks, and then brilliantly answers, questions essential to the success of any industry.
Joel Cohen is in town as part of the Edmonton Speaker Series, a selection of speakers presented by three local non-profit organizations that are celebrating anniversaries. Edmonton Community Foundation, E4C and the Edmonton Social Planning Council are marking 20, 40 and 70 years respectively.
Admission is $30 and includes a reception to follow the presentation.
For more information check out www.tixonthesquare.ca
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