Tom Goodwin: Digital Disruption

Futurist and marketing strategist who helps brands future-proof strategy, rewire customer experiences, and turn technology trends into practical growth plays.

Tom Goodwin

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Tom Goodwin is a pioneering thinker at the forefront of marketing and artificial intelligence, known for his insightful views on the digital landscape.
  • He is the author of “Digital Darwinism,” a highly acclaimed book that explores the impact of technology on business and provides strategies for digital transformation.
  • Tom has led digital transformation efforts at Zenith Media, where he served as Head of Innovation, helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
  • Tom is a highly engaging speaker known for his ability to simplify complex concepts and inspire audiences with his visionary ideas.
  • Tom is also a prolific writer and commentator on social media, with a large following that looks to him for the latest trends and insights in the industry.


Formats Available: Keynote (45–60m), Executive Briefing, Workshop, Panel, Virtual Masterclass

Preferred Audience: Leadership teams (25–150); Conference keynotes (200–2,500)

Outcomes:
  1. Spot three high-impact trends and convert them into tests.
  2. Rewire customer journeys to increase engagement.
  3. Build a 90-day activation plan to scale winners.
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Miami

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

Tom’s book, Digital Darwinism, lays out a framework of post-digital age marketing, branding, and advertising. His unique insight into digital disruption encourages audiences to learn from industry leaders, shaping their strategies and processes to complement the digital age. Tom believes that adapting to digital disruption is key for companies to thrive.

When Tom is booked for events, he can supply predictions for future trends and industry advancements. From finance to telecommunications, social media to travel, he prepares audiences for the “next big thing”, allowing them to take full advantage.

With emerging topics including Blockchain, IoT and AI already making waves, he is an essential expert on the future of business

Business transformation is essential for brands wishing to remain relevant and ahead of their industry’s curve.

Tom supplies a valuable toolbox of new technologies and business practices that will unleash his audience’s potential, using the power of technology he redefines branding and design..

An expert on change management, Tom prepares companies for their inevitable evolution. As more and more start-ups put pressure on larger brands, he proposes the importance of constant growth and professional development.

With an open mindset, Tom’s audiences are prepared for the new technologies and business strategies at their fingertips.

An invaluable presentation for businesses of all shapes and sizes, markets and industries, Tom’s exploration of marketing arms audiences with the strategies they need to thrive.

He commonly discusses eight to 12 topics within a 20 to 45-minute speech, including tailored advice and research-led data.

Talent Short Bio

Tom Goodwin is a dynamic and sought-after speaker who is at the forefront of innovation in marketing and artificial intelligence. With a career spanning over two decades, Tom has earned a reputation as a thought leader and visionary, constantly challenging the status quo and inspiring audiences around the world. His insights into the digital landscape and the impact of technology on business have made him a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and a regular contributor to publications such as Forbes, TechCrunch, and The Guardian.

Tom’s expertise lies at the intersection of marketing, technology, and artificial intelligence. As the Head of Innovation at Zenith Media, he led the agency’s digital transformation, helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Tom’s deep understanding of consumer behavior and emerging technologies has made him a sought-after speaker at major industry events, including Cannes Lions, SXSW, and Advertising Week.

Tom is also the author of the acclaimed book “Digital Darwinism,” which explores how businesses can adapt and thrive in the digital age. Drawing on his vast experience and research, Tom provides practical insights and strategies for companies looking to embrace digital transformation and stay ahead of the competition. His book has been praised for its thought-provoking ideas and actionable advice, making it a must-read for anyone looking to future-proof their business.

In conclusion, Tom Goodwin is a visionary speaker whose insights into marketing and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of business. His book “Digital Darwinism” is a testament to his expertise and his ability to simplify complex concepts for a wide audience. By booking Tom Goodwin, event planners can provide their audience with a unique and enlightening experience that is sure to leave a lasting impact.

Tom’s speaking influence extends beyond the stage, as he is also a prolific writer and commentator on social media. His ability to connect with his audience on a personal level sets him apart from other speakers, making him a valuable asset for any event. Event planners looking to elevate their event and provide their audience with valuable insights should look no further than Tom Goodwin.

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Talent Videos

Tom Goodwin | The Future of Digital Transformation

Global keynote speaker and futurist Tom Goodwin challenges audiences to reimagine technology, rethink assumptions, and embrace pragmatic innovation for real-world business growth.

Tom Goodwin introduces himself as an author, TV presenter, and founder of “All We Have is Now.” He explains his mission: to help companies grow through change, inspire action, and put technological disruption into context.

Key Points:

  • Rethinking the Digital Age: Tom argues that digital transformation has only just begun and that most people misunderstand how the future unfolds. Change isn’t sudden or binary—it evolves gradually.
  • Perspective on Innovation: He urges businesses to ask bigger questions, rethink assumptions, and apply technology more imaginatively, empathetically, and ambitiously.
  • Futurism Made Practical: Unlike abstract forecasts, Tom’s talks are grounded in pragmatic futurism—helping leaders use current technologies to drive real results now.
  • Speaking Experience: He has delivered keynotes in 66 cities across 35 countries on 5 continents, from major arenas to intimate boardrooms.
  • Technology Examples: From joking about computers not being “self-aware” enough to fix printers, to marveling at AI’s potential, Tom emphasizes that AI should be used to pursue big dreams, not trivial automation.
  • Impact of His Talks: He simplifies complexity, provokes debate, energizes audiences, and provides practical, actionable steps.
  • Call to Action: Tom closes with optimism, highlighting the “miracle of momentum” and encouraging businesses to use technology and imagination to build a better future—reminding us: “Now is the only time we have.”

Key Moments

00:00 – 00:25 Intro: Tom Goodwin introduced across media platforms.
00:26 – 01:00 Personal intro: Author, presenter, founder; helping companies grow through change.
01:01 – 01:40 Misconceptions about digital transformation and how the future unfolds.
01:41 – 02:20 Encouragement to ask bigger questions and rethink assumptions.
02:21 – 03:00 Why keynote speaking matters: simplifying complexity and energizing audiences.
03:01 – 03:40 Global speaking experience: 66 cities, 35 countries, 5 continents.
03:41 – 04:20 Examples of technology misunderstandings and AI’s true potential.
04:21 – 05:00 Talks grounded in pragmatic futurism with actionable insights.
05:01 – End Closing message: momentum, imagination, technology, and the urgency of now.

Futurist and keynote speaker Tom Goodwin challenges common tech myths, critiques hype, and explains how true digital transformation demands rethinking business at its core.

Tom Goodwin opens by critiquing the hype and clichés of Silicon Valley futurism, pointing out that much of what we hear about AI, blockchain, VR, and drones is exaggerated or misunderstood. His style is provocative yet pragmatic—calling out nonsense while clarifying what actually matters.

Key Points:

  • Tech Hype vs. Reality: Surveys claiming consumers will shop in VR or that drones will transform logistics are premature. Many forecasts are based on weak assumptions or marketing spin.
  • The Interim of Things: We live in a messy mid-digital age—caught between past and future. Instead of radical transformation, most companies are layering digital “garnish” onto old models rather than rebuilding for today’s realities.
  • Prediction Failures: Humanity consistently overestimates the short-term impact of hardware while underestimating long-term systemic change. Examples: Walkman → Discman → MP3 → iPhone illustrate paradigm leaps, not linear progress.

Digitalization vs. Digital Transformation: Digitalization = surface-level changes like e-tickets, kiosks, or mobile check deposits.
Digital Transformation = rethinking a company’s business model, purpose, and role in people’s lives. Netflix, Amazon Go, and McDonald’s mobile ordering are cited as examples of reimagining, not just digitizing.
Brands & Human Behavior: Despite claims that brands are dying, Tom argues they’re more important than ever in a noisy, choice-heavy world. Trust in brands underpins Uber, Airbnb, and even media franchises.

Millennials & Myths: He debunks stereotypes about attention spans and “hard to reach” generations—pointing out that young people are the easiest ever to reach due to being constantly online.
Call to Action: The opportunity to lead change lies with those early in their careers, who have less to lose and more energy to challenge outdated systems. He stresses urgency: “All we have is now.”

Key Moments

00:00 – 01:40 Opening: Tech hype, exponential computing, predictions about AI and VR.
01:41 – 04:30 Critique of hype: blockchain, drones, VR, self-driving cars; need for debate and skepticism.
04:31 – 08:30 The “Interim of Things”: mid-digital age, disappointment gaps, and messy realities.
08:31 – 14:20 Paradigm leaps explained: Walkman → Discman → MP3 → iPhone; cars, money, cameras, cigarettes vs. vaping.
14:21 – 18:10 Digitalization vs. digital transformation; examples from McDonald’s, Netflix, Amazon Go.
18:11 – 22:00 Branding myths: people don’t want “conversations” with brands, but brands matter more than ever.
22:01 – 25:30 Debunking generational stereotypes; Millennials are easy to reach, attention spans are not shrinking.
25:31 – 28:00 Innovation, startups vs. incumbents, and false dichotomies.
28:01 – 34:00 Digital transformation unpacked: onion model of business, difference between surface change and rethinking core.
34:01 – End Closing: urgency, the perfect time for transformation, and the reminder “All we have is now.

Provocative futurist Tom Goodwin explores how businesses must rethink technology, consumer expectations, and transformation strategies in the post-digital era.

Tom Goodwin delivers a 35-minute keynote at Deloitte’s Digital Agenda 2020, challenging leaders to move beyond surface-level digital adoption and embrace deep transformation.

Key Themes:

Technology as a Catalyst for Creativity: From paint tubes to elevators to Instagram, Tom shows how new tools enable entire industries to rethink what’s possible. Transformation isn’t about retrofitting—it’s about reimagining.
Augmentation vs. Reinvention: Too many businesses use technology as a patch (like VR malls or LED “candles”) rather than asking what new models technology makes possible.

Three Eras of Change:

Before the change – calm, predictable.
Mid-change – messy, confusing, duplicated systems (where we are now in digital).
Post-change – when society fully absorbs new tools and redesigns around them.
The Post-Digital Age: A chance to build companies as they should have been built—not just replicating old models with digital garnish, but harnessing new consumer behaviors and possibilities.

Types of Companies:

Digital-first (e.g., Spotify, Lemonade, WeWork)
Digitalized (surface changes like kiosks, AR apps, e-tickets)
Digitally transformed (Netflix, Walmart, McDonald’s rethinking supply chains, experiences, and operations)
Barriers to Change: Fear of the unknown, ROI uncertainty, political silos, short-termism, lack of imagination.
10 Ways to Drive Transformation:

Accept your messy reality, blamelessly.
Set a vision and timeline for change.
Prioritize effectively (avoid “pointless PR stunts”).
Embrace technology with excitement.
Don’t wait—today’s tools are enough.
Leverage your unique strengths.
Rethink your mindset (build “children,” not cosmetic fixes).
Focus on cultural transformation over tech.
Recruit for attitude and curiosity, not just knowledge.
Stay optimistic—this is the best time ever to reinvent business.
In Q&A, Tom reflects on the pandemic’s impact on work:

Remote work could accelerate cultural trust and shift focus from time spent to value delivered.
Companies should rethink structures around flexibility, creativity, and outcomes instead of office routines.

Key Moments

00:00 – 02:00 Host intro (Christine Valerie) & speaker lineup.
02:01 – 06:00 Opening optimism: best time to be in business.
06:01 – 12:00 History of technology enabling creativity (paint tubes, elevators, CAD, Instagram).
12:01 – 18:00 Tech adoption patterns: slow diffusion, augmentation vs. reinvention.
18:01 – 24:00 Three epochs of change; where digital sits today.
24:01 – 30:00 Post-digital age explained; digitalization vs. digital transformation.
30:01 – 38:00 Case studies: Netflix, Walmart, McDonald’s, dark kitchens.
38:01 – 44:00 Ten principles for driving transformation.
44:01 – End Q&A: pandemic, remote work, value creation, optimism.

Talent FAQ's

A: Yes — he customizes examples and frameworks for your sector.

A: 6–12 weeks for full customization.

A: Slide deck and a one-page action plan.

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