Available to book
Ken Hughes
Transform customer experiences with Ken Hughes, speaker and consumer behaviour expert. Ken works with global brands to decode modern consumer culture and predict future trends, delivering award-winning insights for Starbucks, Google, Coca-Cola and the NFL.
Ken Hughes is a leading authority on customer experience and modern consumer culture. He works with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Starbucks, Google, Coca-Cola, Verizon Media, and the NFL, helping them navigate customer and employee engagement, marketing, and branding in an evolving marketplace.
With over 20 years of experience as CEO of a consumer insight agency, Ken draws on expertise in consumer and cyberpsychology, digital anthropology, behavioural economics, and social futurology to explore shifting consumer needs and predict future trends.
An author, TED speaker, part-time university professor, and actor, he delivers engaging and thought-provoking talks, combining insight with sharp Irish wit. As a behaviouralist and life strategist, he is also passionate about change, leadership, disruption, success, innovation, personal development, and motivation. He brings this to life in his coaching work with high-performance athletes and executives worldwide.
Ken is a regular highlight on the international conference circuit, sharing his thought-disrupting insights and motivating content with tens of thousands of delegates globally, and is frequently recognised for his impact and engaging style with "Best Speaker" awards.
Contact PepTalk today to learn about Ken Hughes' availability and fee information.
Topics, sessions and talks
Ken Hughes explores the changing dynamics of modern consumerism, likening today's customers to the blue dot on Google Maps, as they centre their experiences around personal preferences. He highlights the demand for instant, authentic, and emotionally engaging interactions, urging brands to foster collaborative relationships rather than transactional ones. Attendees will learn how technological advancements and the influence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping expectations, equipping them with strategies to connect meaningfully with their customers.
Ken Hughes uses Taylor Swift's emotional connection with her audience as an example of how brands can cultivate loyalty. He highlights the importance of authenticity, personalization, and customer empowerment, alongside strategies like 'excite and delight' initiatives. By fostering collaboration and a sense of belonging, brands can strengthen relationships with customers. Attendees will learn actionable insights on enhancing customer and employee experiences, ultimately driving brand success through meaningful connections rather than mere transactions.
Ken Hughes explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping consumer decision-making and its implications for marketing and customer engagement. He highlights the need for brands to leverage AI and emerging technologies to create more meaningful connections with customers, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha. By examining the sociological and cultural impacts of these advancements, attendees will learn how to adapt their strategies for a rapidly evolving business landscape, ensuring relevance in a changing game.
Ken Hughes examines how creativity and risk-taking drive innovation at all levels. He highlights the struggle organizations face in fostering these essential qualities, often stalling the innovation process. Ken argues that breaking free from habitual routines and rigid structures is vital for growth. Attendees will learn how to embrace agility, play, and vulnerability to enhance their leadership skills and inspire innovative thinking in their personal and professional lives.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book Ken Hughes, email ken.hughes@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Ken's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
Ken Hughes structures his talks around cultural and psychological frameworks, using accessible analogies — such as comparing modern consumers to the blue dot on Google Maps — to translate concepts from consumer psychology, behavioural economics, and digital anthropology into actionable strategies for brands.
Ken Hughes speaks on modern consumer behaviour and the evolving customer experience, the role of AI and emerging technology in brand relevance, and generational shifts driven by Gen Z and Gen Alpha. He has over 20 years of experience as CEO of a consumer insight agency and has worked with clients including Starbucks, Google, Coca-Cola, Verizon Media, and the NFL.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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