Tom Yorton, The Second City Communications
Chicago New Media Summit : Monday, September 15th, 2008 : 8:00 pm : Comedy
The Presentation: The Second City is the original interactive company: creating memorable characters and biting sociopolitical satire based on audience input for nearly fifty years. Second City Communications, the corporate services arm of the legendary theater, has leveraged SC's core comedic beliefs, philosophies and methodologies to create insightful, hilarious and effective video, animation and web design for its many corporate clients. Come learn how SCC is porting the laughs from the stage to the web page.
Tom Yorton
President, Second City, Inc. Yorton has particular expertise at the intersection of marketing, communications, change management, and corporate training. His role at The Second City has been to evolve and grow the corporate division of The Second City into the largest and most diverse corporate comedy and improvisational training entity in the world, serving a broad range of Fortune 500 clients and nonprofit organizations.
Yorton’s background includes positions as a senior marketing executive at 3COM corporation and Sears, and as a vice president in the advertising firms Hal Riney & Partners and Ogilvy & Mather. He has experience in numerous industries, including high tech, Internet, retail, automotive, airline, fitness, restaurant, lodging, financial services and healthcare categories.
Yorton writes and speaks widely on his undying belief in the power of improvisation and humor to improve individual performance and to transform organizations.
ABOUT: Second City Communications is the marketing services division of the famous comedy theater, The Second City — a company that’s been interactive before interactive was hot. We help hundreds of Fortune 500 clients win audiences and marketshare — as well as improve individual & team performance — through the basic teachings of improv and a talented stable of writers, directors, producers, and production staff.
BIO: Second City Communications is fast evolving into a go-to resource for new media expertise and a unique voice with a powerful creative legacy. SCC serves hundreds of Fortune 500 clients — helping them create and deploy fascinating and funny new media solutions. Those clients include — among many others — The Economist and McDonald’s, who hired SCC for cutting edge humor and innovative options for connecting with customers.
On CNMS: To succeed as a showcase for Chicago’s innovative hub of new media, top tier creative and production talent. If we can have some laughs along the way—all the better!
On Second City Communications: "One thing that’s true about new media in marketing circles: If it’s funny, it’ll get passed around. Many of our clients come to us because they are familiar with the comedy performed on our stages — it’s hot, fresh, and widely talked about. That combo is critical for new media – including viral and social media: If it’s hot and really funny, it’ll get passed around in the blink of an eye." — Bumper Carroll, Group Creative Director, Second City Communications