Steve Jones: Branding Expert
Business keynote speaker Steve Jones uses rock legends’ strategies to help organizations build stronger brands, drive growth, and create high-performance, customer-focused cultures.
- Highlights:
- 30+ years as a music industry executive and radio programming leader
- SVP of Brands and Content at Stingray Radio
- Oversees 90+ radio brands across Canada
- Recognized as International Radio Programmer of the Year
- Formats:
Keynote Speaker, Business Strategist, Branding Expert
- Audiences:
Corporate leaders, marketing teams, sales organizations, and companies seeking to strengthen brand identity, customer engagement, and competitive positioning.
- Outcomes:
- Clear strategies to build strong, differentiated brands
- New perspectives on customer loyalty and audience engagement
- Actionable insights to drive growth and innovation
- Travels from: Enfield, CT
- **Fee range: On Request
Keynote Topics
Creating Culture That Rocks
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Turn up the volume on diversity, equity, and inclusion! Steve will spend an interactive music-filled hour with your team, showcasing how amazing things can happen when organizations embrace DEI.
Steve will take your group on a musical journey to discover:
- How a washed-up 70s hard rock band collaborated with an upstart hip hop act to revitalize their career and send hip hop into the mainstream.
- Why an obvious mistake was left in one of classic rock’s greatest hits, and why it is is so important to give yourself permission to experiment… and even fail.
- Where countless legendary bands went to soak in a special culture and create amazing music.
- How Paul Simon went all-in on diversity and inclusion, even risking lives to do so.
- The magical place in the deep south where Black and White worked as one at the height of America’s mid-60s racial unrest.
DEI is normally a dry topic that people find uncomfortable discussing. But using inspiring stories and an incredible soundtrack, Steve makes diversity, equity, inclusion, and all aspects of great culture, rock!
Brand Like a Rock Star
Based on Steve’s best-selling marketing book Brand Like a Rock Star, this keynote energizes, entertains, and educates. Through stories, songs, and videos, Steve leaves your team with some key takeaways such as:
- The one thing even more important than quality to your business
- The secret to staying consistent in changing times
- How your company’s goals could be putting your success in jeopardy
- How to use your competitor’s strengths against them in order to fuel your success
This high-energy presentation will leave your group charged up, and it can be highly customized to suit any industry, including financial services, entertainment, health care, and tech.
Talent Short Bio
Steve Jones is a business keynote speaker, author, and music industry veteran who transforms lessons from iconic artists into powerful strategies for business success. With more than 30 years of experience, Steve has led and shaped media brands across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, earning recognition as one of the world’s top radio programmers.
Currently serving as SVP of Brands and Content at Stingray Radio, Steve oversees more than 90 radio brands and plays a key role in one of the largest global music distribution companies, alongside industry leaders like Spotify and Apple. His expertise in branding, audience engagement, and content strategy is grounded in real-world success across highly competitive markets.
Steve is the bestselling author of Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up, where he draws direct parallels between legendary artists such as AC/DC, Bob Marley, U2, Fleetwood Mac, and Run-DMC and world-class businesses. His keynote presentations combine storytelling, music, and actionable insights to show organizations how to build loyal audiences, differentiate their brand, and stay relevant in a changing marketplace.
Read Full Bio
Music industry veteran Steve Jones takes you backstage to show you how the core strategies of AC/DC, Bob Marley, U2, Fleetwood Mac, and Run DMC can help you create a stronger, leaner, and more successful business.
Everything you need to know to build a stronger business you can learn from the legends of rock and roll. In a presentation loaded with great music and entertaining stories, Steve brings a concert-like energy to every event.
Steve Jones is a 30-year music industry insider, one of the world’s leading radio programmers, and author of two highly-acclaimed business and marketing books, Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up.
Steve taps into his experiences in the music biz to illustrate what great businesses can learn from the legends of rock. He is based in Toronto, Canada, where he oversees brands and content for Stingray Radio, a global music, media, and technology company.
Gene Simmons of Kiss says, “Steve Jones knows a thing or two. Listen and take notes.”
Notorious rock star Alice Cooper says, “Steve gives you the insight of a rock ‘n roll veteran.”
Steve has created and guided winning media brands in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean.
He was recognized as International Radio Programmer of the Year at the 2014 Worldwide Radio Summit, and currently oversees 90+ radio brands in Canada as VP/Brands & Content with Newcap Radio.
Today Steve Jones is the SVP/Brands & Content for Stingray Radio. Stingray is the world’s 3rd largest distributor of music behind only Spotify and Apple. Over the course of more than three decades, Steve has led successful media brands in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Along the way, he has had a unique front-row perspective on the rise (and sometimes fall) of countless rock stars. Those experiences form the basis for his two best-selling books, Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up.
Steve has worked alongside countless stars in music and observed how they strategically created passionate fan bases, built dedicated followings, and forged lasting and immensely profitable careers. He shows you how to apply those lessons to your business.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
View further speakers
- (23)
Kim Lear is a leading expert on generational patterns, demographic shifts, and cultural change. She is the founder and content director of Inlay Insights, where she leads research that helps organizations understand how evolving values, behaviors, and expectations shape the future of work and consumer engagement. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Kim Lear undergraduate research […]
- Travels from: Minneapolis, MN
- Futurists Speakers
- (10)
Dr. Anne Harbison is an executive leadership educator known for her work with some of the world’s greatest organizations and thought leaders. Beginning her career in Brand Management at Procter & Gamble, she then served as a management consultant specializing in organizational change and learning. Anne was a Principal Strategic Consultant in Gallup’s executive leadership practice, […]
- Travels from: Minneapolis, MN
- Leadership Speakers
- (15)
Peter Sheahan is a globally recognized thought leader, keynote speaker, and best-selling author specializing in business transformation, innovative leadership, and growth in the face of disruption. As the founder and CEO of Karrikins Group, Peter has worked with some of the world’s most prominent brands, including Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft, helping them navigate change, […]
- Travels from: Denver, CO
- Motivational Speakers
- (13)
Merit Kahn, CSP, a keynote speaker on sales transformation, bringing over two decades of expertise to stages around the globe. As the CEO of SELLect Sales Development, she has dedicated her career to helping professionals in every industry shift their mindset, master the sales conversation, and SELLect their ideal clients. Known for her engaging delivery […]
- Travels from: Aurora, CO
- Sales Speakers
- (6)
Keynote speaker Terence Mauri talks about the mindsets that leaders must embrace in order to thrive in the future – it’s all about courage, clarity, curiosity, and conviction. Without them, leadership efforts will fail. Building on lessons from diverse companies such as Netflix, Apple and Microsoft, the audience will feel inspired to create the next […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Futurists Speakers
- (8)
Paris Norriss is not your average TV personality and public figure – fuelled by insatiable curiosity and thirst for adventure, this Dubai-based force of nature is unstoppable. From early on in his life, being conventional was never in the cards for him and that’s one of the few things he never dared to try. Growing […]
- Travels from: Dubai, UAE
- Motivational Speakers
- (28)
Jennifer Keitt is a renowned communication and leadership speaker known for her dynamic and engaging presentations that inspire individuals and organizations to unleash their full potential. With over two decades of experience in the fields of communication, leadership, and personal development, Jennifer has become a trusted voice in guiding others towards achieving their goals and […]
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- Communication Speakers
- (29)
Lisa Bodell is a globally recognized leader in organizational transformation, known for her groundbreaking work in simplification, collaboration, and innovation. As the founder and CEO of FutureThink, a leading innovation training firm, Lisa has empowered top organizations worldwide to rethink the way they work, replacing complexity with clarity and fostering a culture of innovation. Her […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Innovation Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.