Charisma lessons from Keanu Reeves

Media People Newsletter
Written and curated by Victor Genova · February 8, 2024 · Issue #3

Welcome to the 3rd edition of the Media People Newsletter. To kick things off:

• David Cairns from Cairns Oneil stops by the podcast to chat

• Charisma lessons from Keanu Reeves

• Sam McAllister teaches you how to convince a Prince

• Ogilvy’s Rory Sutherland drops some knowledge

• From the Media People Podcast archives: Acast Canada Managing Director, Heather Gordon (2022)

Episode 91 with Cairns Oneil Executive Chair, David Cairns is LIVE! We chat:

• Teaching art in rural Prince Edward Island

• Working the late shift as a taxi driver

• Breaking into media with Ogilvy & Mather

• David’s passion for painting

• Why every entrepreneur needs an exit strategy

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and online at mediapeople.ca.

Charisma according to Keanu Reeves

You know him as John Wick. You know him as Neo. And depending on your age, you might know him as Ted "Theodore" Logan. Compared to some of his other A-list contemporaries, Keanu Reeves lives a more private life. He’s not on social media, but that hasn’t prevented him from being one of the most charming and engaging celebrities. When Keanu speaks, people listen. And it’s a combination of what he says and how he says it that’s so captivating. This video from Charisma on Command analyzes how Keanu uses gratitude, humour, and hand gestures to command attention in social situations.

How to convince a Prince

Sam McAlister is behind some of biggest news interviews of recent times. She is a BAFTA-nominated producer who has negotiated with everyone from Buckingham Palace, The White House, Tesla, and Facebook. Sam convinced the disgraced Prince Andrew to provide an interview for BBC Newsnight, wherein his best defence against sexual abuse allegations via his relationship with convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, was to argue that a (supposedly) genetic condition prevents him from sweating. But how did she do it? How did she get Prince Andrew to participate? Sam is a master at convincing high-ranking individuals to undertake 1-1 interviews, and she shares her experiences in this TEDx Talk. A must-watch for anyone looking for advice on how to manage challenging colleagues.

I’m a big fan of Rory Sutherland’s interviews, and this chat with Chris Williamson on the Modern Wisdom Podcast doesn’t disappoint. If you’re new to Rory, he’s the Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK, but can also be described as a celebrity marketer regularly on the podcast and lecture circuit. Rory’s speciality is consumer behaviour and the psychology of marketing, but what I enjoy most is how he regularly gets off topic, delving into a variety of things that peak his curiosity. I guarantee you’ll be searching YouTube for additional Rory Sutherland content if you enjoy this chat.

From the Media People Podcast archives: Acast Canada Managing Director, Heather Gordon

When Acast—one of the world’s leading podcast companies, wanted to expand into Canada, they tapped Heather Gordon to lead the charge. A digital media sales veteran, Heather got her start at CHUM, working as an unpaid office assistant. She moved over to a paid role at CHUM Interactive, providing sales support for one of their first digital sales teams. She rose through the ranks before taking the reins of the digital sales team responsible for the legendary Canadian music television brand—MuchMusic. From there Heather moved to the CBC, where she led digital sales for the public broadcaster. Heather Gordon stops by to chat about the women who influenced her career, leading digital sales for some of Canada’s biggest online media brands, and launching Acast’s first Canadian team. This episode originally aired in February of 2022.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and online at mediapeople.ca