Have you ever heard about the investment banker doing stand-up comedy?
Well, in case you think it is worth hearing, I recommend checking out the above audio recording of Terence Kawaja’s Singularity University presentation aptly titled the Science-ification of Media.
By his own admission Terry has been an investment banker for 22 years and a comedian for twice as long. In my opinion his insights about business, entrepreneurship, banking and the new media are as profound as his humor is witty.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Terry’s stage introduction made by David Rose.)
Who is Terrence Kawaja?
Terence Kawaja is Founder and CEO of LUMA Partners, a strategic advisory firm focused at the intersection of media and technology. He is a seasoned investment banker with more than 20 years of experience and has advised on over $250 billion of transactions, including some of the most pivotal deals in the media and tech industries. Throughout his career, Terry has leveraged deep industry knowledge to take a strategic approach to deal making rather than chase transactions. The best compliment people say is that he thinks like a principal.
At LUMA, Terry advises both established media and technology companies as well as digital growth companies. He is a recognized expert in the Internet and digital media sectors and is a popular speaker at leading industry conferences. Terry has a straightforward style and is never afraid to tell it like it is. He also likes to keep things light by using humor to aid substantive presentations.
Prior to founding LUMA Partners, Terry was Co-head of Digital Media at GCA Savvian; Global Head of Media M&A at Citigroup and CSFB; and CFO of publicly-traded Raindance Communications. He received an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School, and a BA in Economics from the University of Western Ontario.
When not negotiating deals or telling jokes, Terry enjoys a variety of activities from skiing to water sports. Terry lives in New York City with his wife and their two sons.
Here is copy of Terry’s original presentation:
The SCIENCE-ification of Media
Ad Tech: From Hype to Stereotype
Tech Star
Don’t Stop Competing