Sir Bob Geldof

Bob Geldof is incredibly well informed, not just about African famines and aid organizations, but also about London and Washington politics, global communications and business. His presentations are highly provocative and he uplifts and inspires audiences as he motivates through his own personal experiences and the lessons learned from Live Aid. Sir Bob Geldof is one of the highest ranked and most authorative corporate speakers, conference keynote producers and after dinner speakers currently available.

Bob Geldof was born in Dublin on 5 October 1954. Geldof entered the music scene as a journalist on Canada’s premier underground rock journal Georgia Straight. Further experience with the New Musical Express and Melody Maker sharpened his prose and upon returning to Dublin, he formed the band The Boomtown Rats, one of the first acts to emerge during the punk/new wave explosion of 1976/77.

After a series of hits, including two UK number 1 singles, Geldof emerged as one of the most well known pop personalities of his era. Bob Geldof had always had an acerbic wit and provided excellent interviews with an energy and enthusiasm that matched any of his articulate rivals. After starring in the film of Pink Floyd's The Wall, he turned his attention to the dreadful famine that was plaguing Ethiopia in 1984.

After receiving a knighthood in June 1986 and publishing his autobiography, Bob Geldof recorded the solo album, "Deep In The Heart Of Nowhere", which spawned the minor hit 'This Is The World Calling'. His second album, '1990’s The Vegetarians Of Love', was recorded in only five days and proved a hit with critics and fans alike. Complete with folk and Cajun flavorings and an irreverent stab at apathy in the hit single 'The Great Song Of Indifference', the album undeniably proved that Bob Geldof should continue his recording career.

By 1992 Bob Geldof had established himself as a highly astute businessman with his co-ownership of the television production house Planet 24, which began life as Planet Pictures back in the mid-80s. The company broke into the big time by launching the pioneering early morning television series The Big Breakfast in 1992. Planet 24 was sold to Carlton TV.

In the late 90s, when Bob encountered problems booking a family holiday over the Internet for his children and his French actress girlfriend Jeanne Marine, Geldof founded online travel agent Deckchair.com. Geldof did it in conjunction with James Page, the successful creator of the Eidos software company, responsible for Lara Croft. Deckchair was purchased by OTC (Online Travel Corporation) in June 2003.

Ten Alps Communications was founded by Bob Geldof and Alex Connock in 1999 and sprouted from what was left of Planet 24, their previous TV venture. The name Ten Alps comes from a backwards, misspelling of Planet. Ten Alps has been hugely successful and, of recent, productions have included High profile documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, Five, Sky One and Discovery Events that Changed our World (with Michael Buerk), Jeremy Vine Meets, To Kill and Kill Again, and Manchester United’s Top 50 Goals / The Top 50 Goals Scored Against Manchester United. Thirty-five productions are currently underway fueled by the growth in broadcasters' appetite for factual TV.

Bob Geldof returned to the music scene in September 2001 with his first new recording in over eight years. A raw and brutally frank album dealing in unflinching detail with the recent emotional upheavals of Geldof's personal life, Sex, Age & Death was in marked contrast to his previous studio set, the relatively upbeat The Happy Club.

Bob completed a TV series for BBC1 - "Geldof In Africa", where he traveled through West Africa (Ghana, Benin and Mali); Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda); and East Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania and Somalia), and explored the continent that the rest of the world seems to be leaving behind. The series commenced flightings on 20th June 2005 and a DVD of the entire series is being released in late 2005.

Bob has produced a fabulous book, under the same name' as an accompaniment to the TV series and which was launched in ‘hard back’ in May 2005.

Recently at the forefront of Geldof's public activities were the Live 8 concerts which took place in London, Paris, Philadelphia, Rome and Berlin on July 2 2005. A sixth concert was organized on Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium four days later. The Live8 DVD, featuring excerpts of most of the performances, was released in November 2005.

Just released is the CD set of the complete collection of Geldof’s solo work "Great Songs Of Indifference". Although much of his solo work was overshadowed by his tireless work for charity, the tracks on this album serve as a timely reminder of just how potent lyrically and musically Geldof can be, swaying from tribal electronica to Dylan-esque folk. Includes the singles ‘One For Me’, This Is the World Calling’ and ‘Love Or Something’.

Amongst a number of recent recognitions, Bob received an honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Laws) from the National University of Ireland, was awarded the MTV "Free Your Mind Award" (Lisbon 4/11/05), the EPM Marketer of the Year Award (Los Angeles), The North-South Council Award (Lisbon 21/11/05) and the Nobel Man of Peace Award which was presented to him by Mikhail Gorbachev at a ceremony in Rome on 24 November 2005.

Bob was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 2005 European Hero’s and made the front cover of their European Edition on 10th October 2005. In January 2007 Bob Geldof was honoured by Newcastle University who awarded him a Doctorate of Civil Law at a ceremony with Gordon Brown MP, HE William Mpaka, Susan George and Dr David Golding.
Bob has now been nominated for the Nobel Peace Award 2007. This is Bob’s sixth nomination and follows the Nobel

Man of Peace Award that he received in 2005.
On 5 May 2007 Bob was invited to meet with Tony Blair at Downing Street to look back at the Gleneagles agreements and progress in Africa since, and what the future may hold. The meeting was recorded and put on the Prime Minister’s website.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) conferred Bob with an honorary Fellowship on 24th May 2007 in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contribution to tackling the poverty of his fellow man.

In June 2007 Bob played a rather fitting role in an Australian TV commercial for Telstra, the leading Australian cellular network.

On June 8th 2007 Bob demonstrated his passion as a leading international keynote speaker when the YIBC conference delegates rated him with highest positive feedback ever recorded! "He’s the first YIBC speaker to receive full marks, but his speech had everything: passion, humour, humanity, realism, dreams and urgency. He showed a grasp of economics and politics and an ability to make his blunt diplomacy work. Bill Clinton has probably been the most popular YIBC performer in recent years but many delegates felt the man behind Live Aid and Live8 topped it. Having flown in from the G8 Summit, Geldof commanded attention and respect despite the tousled hair, unshaven face, scruffy clothes and gum-chewing, and received a standing ovation." Kathryn Moore, David Parkin and Ian Briggs - The Yorkshire Post.

Bob is the recipient of the 2007 M100 Sanssouci Media Award. The prize giving ceremony took place on 7 September at the Schloss Theatre in the Neue Palais in Potsdam, Germany. Jann Jakobs, Lord Mayor of Potsdam, says: "We are very happy that within the context of this year’s International Media Gathering M100 we had the opportunity to thank and honour Sir Bob Geldof for his indefatigable world-wide engagement".

Bob Geldof is an influential and inspiring speaker. He is highly entertaining and has great insight into the socio-political and upliftment arenas as well as leadership, communications, marketing in the global village, motivation and self-development. His unique presentations, views and insights are highly sought after by companies who wish to benefit from his sensational presentations and which always leave a lasting and powerful impression.



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