About John Livesay

Storytelling Keynote Speaker for Sales Kickoffs | The Pitch Whisperer

When a sales kickoff ends, the team needs more than inspiration. John Livesay helps sales and leadership teams turn data, ideas and case studies into stories buyers remember and share. His customized storytelling keynotes start with the organization's real challenges, and his 30-day follow-up helps teams put the tools to work after the event.

Known as "The Pitch Whisperer" by INC., John shows teams how to create emotional connection, explain value and stand out in high-stakes sales conversations. His message is simple: Be Memorable. Sell More. At a Link Snacks sales kickoff, Bill Whitehead, SVP North America, said, "That was amazing. I took three pages of notes... Never be the star of your story. Always make the customer the star of the story. John is terrific."

John brings 20 years of high-end media sales experience to the stage. At Condé Nast, he was named salesperson of the year and learned firsthand that the best idea is not always the one that wins: the most compelling, memorable presentation often does. His TEDx talk, "Be the Lifeguard of Your Own Life," has more than one million views. He has written four books, including Better Selling Through Storytelling and The Sale Is in the Tale: 5 Storytelling Secrets to Keep from Drowning in a Sea of Sameness.

John is also Regional Client Strategy Leader at Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm. He coaches teams competing for high-stakes business, helping them turn complex credentials and information into stories that make their ideas and people memorable. This work has contributed to over 50 wins totaling over $150M. It gives him a current, practical view of what makes buyers choose one company over another.

His programs are tailored for sales kickoffs, national sales meetings, leadership conferences and customer-facing teams. Before the event, he learns the team's language and challenges; onstage, he gives people storytelling tools they can use immediately; afterward, a 30-day follow-up helps keep the lessons alive. He is a guest lecturer on storytelling in sales and business at The University of Texas at Austin, Franklin University, Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.