A guest post by Joe Toplyn Joe has written and produced television comedy for over twenty years. He won four Emmy Awards writing for Late Night with David Letterman, then went on to become co-head writer of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, head writer of Late Show with David Letterman, head writer of The […]
I was recently invited to talk about what makes things funny for the WAMCs Academic Minute. (I also did one in 2013.) The Academic Minute features researchers from colleges and universities around the world, keeping listeners abreast of what’s new and exciting in the academy. Hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, President of Mount Holyoke College, […]
I am speaking about business and humor at the Funny Bizz conference tomorrow. San Francisco friends, get your tickets here. Some info: Ever wonder how Silicon Valley’s top startups use comedy, improv and storytelling principles to create great content, stand out from the noise and ultimately sell more? There is a movement beginning. The lines […]
Earlier this month, I published an op-ed in the Washington Post’s Leadership column: Did you hear the joke about the CEO? Here is a taste: Humor isn’t part of most mission statements. Organizations are busy with the serious challenges of trying to improve sales, service and innovation. Besides, being funny is risky. No one appreciates […]
I spend a lot of research time examining the costs and benefits of humor in business. The team at Grasshopper reached out to me recently to discuss how attempts to create funny marketing can fail. Here is what they came up with: Don’t Be Tedious or Tasteless Be Careful If You’re Poking Fun of Consumers […]
By Hillary Anger Elfenbein; Washington University in St. Louis So your three-year-old comes home and tells you that he wants chocolate for dinner. Now what? If you’re anything like me, you start by trying to sell him on what else you’ve prepared. This approach doesn’t work very well, and then he throws himself on the […]
It’s that time of year. If you are in love, good for you. If you are not, good luck finding love. In any case, a good sense of humor (GSOH) is a highly-desirable quality in lovers and friends. Why? Two (of many) reasons why a good sense of humor is so important. 1. Happiness: If […]
With the Super Bowl and its humorous ads approaching, I have reposted this blog. NOTE: it is a little out of date – the original publication date was in 2011. The original title: Which is more violent? A) The Super Bowl or B) Super Bowl ads? The Super Bowl featured numerous injuries, but not all […]
