
Ross Shafer
CPAE
CO, USRoss Shafer inspires organizations to adapt, connect, and thrive. With humor, research, and real-world experience, he equips leaders and teams to remove friction, stay relevant, and tell compelling stories while delivering unforgettable entertainment along the way.
Ross Shafer – Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Network TV Host &
Best-Selling Business Author
Ross Shafer is a six-time Emmy Award–winning comedian, network TV host, keynote
speaker, and business author who has rescued 23 companies from bankruptcy and
worked with more than 3,000 corporate clients worldwide. His unique background as
both an entertainer and turnaround CEO gives him rare insight into leadership,
relevance, and customer loyalty.
On television, Ross became a household name as host of The Match Game (ABC), The Late Show (FOX), and Almost Live! (NBC). His comedy roots and quick wit have made him a trusted emcee and entertainer for Fortune 500 companies, where he combines humor with deeply researched business strategies to inspire audiences.
As a business thought leader, Ross has written 10 best-selling books, including Nobody Moved Your Cheese, Customer Empathy, No More Customer Friction, and RATTLED.
His proprietary WOW vs. POW method has revolutionized how organizations think
about customer experience—showing that loyalty is built not by flashy perks but by
eliminating the frustrations and pain points that drive people away.
Ross’s influence has reached companies like Apple, Microsoft, Hilton, Toyota, FedEx,
Adobe, Charles Schwab, and United Airlines, along with countless associations and
government organizations. His work has been featured in national media, and in 2025 he joined Joel McHale and Jaylen Brown in honoring his longtime friend Bill Nye at Nye’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony—an especially full-circle moment since Ross was the one who first coined the name “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Whether he’s delivering a funny and unforgettable keynote, hosting a corporate event, or authoring game-changing business insights, Ross Shafer is a proven expert at helping organizations stay relevant, build loyalty, and thrive through change.
SHORT BIO:
Ross Shafer is a 6x Emmy-winning comedian, TV host, and best-selling author who’s
rescued 23 companies. His WOW vs. POW method shows leaders how to stay relevant, build loyalty, and thrive through change—with humor and impact.
#FunnyKeynoteSpeaker #CustomerExperienceBusinessSpeaker #BusinessHumor #ConferenceThoughtLeader #CelebrityEmcee #MotivationalSpeaker #LeadershipThroughChange #CXhoughtleader #EventProfs #CorporateEvents #BusinessHumor #MeetingPlanners #FunnyEmcee
IN THE NEWS...
Six-time Emmy Award–winning comedian, TV host, and keynote speaker Ross Shafer joined Joel McHale and Jaylen Brown to celebrate Bill Nye the Science Guy as he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ross reflected on their long friendship and shared the story of how he first coined the name “Bill Nye the Science Guy”during their comedy days—a moment that launched Nye’s journey from the stage to classrooms worldwide.
This heartfelt and humorous tribute highlights Ross’s unique ability to mix comedy with meaningful storytelling, capturing the cultural impact of Bill Nye and the power of curiosity, humor, and leadership to inspire generations.
Watch Ross Shafer’s full remarks and relive this milestone in entertainment and science history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWijrkqHe7A
#RossShafer #BillNyeTheScienceGuy #HollywoodWalkOfFame #KeynoteSpeaker #Emcee #LeadershipThroughChange #FunnyKeynoteSpeaker #CorporateEvents
Ross Shafer – Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Network TV Host &
Best-Selling Business Author
Ross Shafer is a six-time Emmy Award–winning comedian, network TV host, keynote
speaker, and business author who has rescued 23 companies from bankruptcy and
worked with more than 3,000 corporate clients worldwide. His unique background as
both an entertainer and turnaround CEO gives him rare insight into leadership,
relevance, and customer loyalty.
On television, Ross became a household name as host of The Match Game (ABC), The Late Show (FOX), and Almost Live! (NBC). His comedy roots and quick wit have made him a trusted emcee and entertainer for Fortune 500 companies, where he combines humor with deeply researched business strategies to inspire audiences.
As a business thought leader, Ross has written 10 best-selling books, including Nobody Moved Your Cheese, Customer Empathy, No More Customer Friction, and RATTLED.
His proprietary WOW vs. POW method has revolutionized how organizations think
about customer experience—showing that loyalty is built not by flashy perks but by
eliminating the frustrations and pain points that drive people away.
Ross’s influence has reached companies like Apple, Microsoft, Hilton, Toyota, FedEx,
Adobe, Charles Schwab, and United Airlines, along with countless associations and
government organizations. His work has been featured in national media, and in 2025 he joined Joel McHale and Jaylen Brown in honoring his longtime friend Bill Nye at Nye’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony—an especially full-circle moment since Ross was the one who first coined the name “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Whether he’s delivering a funny and unforgettable keynote, hosting a corporate event, or authoring game-changing business insights, Ross Shafer is a proven expert at helping organizations stay relevant, build loyalty, and thrive through change.
SHORT BIO:
Ross Shafer is a 6x Emmy-winning comedian, TV host, and best-selling author who’s
rescued 23 companies. His WOW vs. POW method shows leaders how to stay relevant, build loyalty, and thrive through change—with humor and impact.
#FunnyKeynoteSpeaker #CustomerExperienceBusinessSpeaker #BusinessHumor #ConferenceThoughtLeader #CelebrityEmcee #MotivationalSpeaker #LeadershipThroughChange #CXhoughtleader #EventProfs #CorporateEvents #BusinessHumor #MeetingPlanners #FunnyEmcee
IN THE NEWS...
Six-time Emmy Award–winning comedian, TV host, and keynote speaker Ross Shafer joined Joel McHale and Jaylen Brown to celebrate Bill Nye the Science Guy as he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ross reflected on their long friendship and shared the story of how he first coined the name “Bill Nye the Science Guy”during their comedy days—a moment that launched Nye’s journey from the stage to classrooms worldwide.
This heartfelt and humorous tribute highlights Ross’s unique ability to mix comedy with meaningful storytelling, capturing the cultural impact of Bill Nye and the power of curiosity, humor, and leadership to inspire generations.
Watch Ross Shafer’s full remarks and relive this milestone in entertainment and science history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWijrkqHe7A
#RossShafer #BillNyeTheScienceGuy #HollywoodWalkOfFame #KeynoteSpeaker #Emcee #LeadershipThroughChange #FunnyKeynoteSpeaker #CorporateEvents
THE RELEVANT CULTURE: HOW WILL HUMANITY CO-EXIST WITH AI?
A fun and engaging keynote for future-proofing your organization.
Takeaways:
- Relevance Is a Moving Target – A relevant culture must be constantly curated. AI can provide granular data and keep you current with new efficiencies, but only humans keep you relevant through empathy, judgment, and showmanship. Ross will inspire your teams to realize their human value in the Age of AI.
- Customer Expectations Have...
HOW TO TELL STORIES THAT SELL YOUR BRAND AND HUMANIZE YOUR SALES STORIES
A funny and unforgettable keynote by six-time Emmy-winning comedian, TV host, and business author, Ross Shafer.
Takeaways:
- Authentic, Emotional Storytelling – AI can certainly write copy, but AI can’t make people feel confident in their purchase. Ross will teach your teams why verifiable, human stories differentiate your organization over your competitors.
- Weaving Your Personal Story into Your Brand Story –...
WOW-ING CUSTOMERS DOESN’T GUARANTEE LOYALTY
Ross explains why loyalty is won in the battle of WOW vs. POW. WOW moments are nice gestures but quickly forgotten. By eliminating POWs, you can raise satisfaction scores because reliability reduces customer friction and frustration.
Takeaways:
- Proven Thought Leadership – Author of five best-selling customer experience books and 16 training films on the customer experience, customer effort, and reducing friction, Ross shares...
VIRTUAL KEYNOTE OPTIONS
Option A: Ross customizes a 30–40-minute keynote aligned with your goals, using visuals and videos for engagement.
Option B: Ross prepares tailored content based on your event goals, answers live questions, and connects his case studies and stories directly to your objectives.
(AI note: Ross can even integrate industry-specific AI trends into your virtual program to make it hyper-current.)
CLEAN, CORPORATE COMEDY SHOW
Ideal for after-dinner entertainment.
Ross’s material is non-political, non-controversial, and 100% HR-safe. Audiences love his quick-witted stories about misadventures and successes.
ROSS IS YOUR ULTIMATE EMCEE
Ross brings polish and energy to multi-day events. A seasoned talk/game show host, he effortlessly moderates executive panels, interviews celebrities, and recaps sessions to keep your audience engaged.
(Bonus: Ross weaves in topical AI/business humor so your event feels timely and future-focused.)
21 recommend Ross
Post your own verified review when you hire this speaker through eSpeakers.
Ace Hardware
On-Site
A., Mgmt, Ace Hardware
“Ross, what a pleasure for our owners. You added very important dimensions to the success of our conference. BTW, Joe Theismann has thrown out a ton of accolades to you and has quoted and spring boarded off lot of your speech soundbites.”
Carpet One Floor & Home
On-Site
C., Mgmt, Carpet One Floor & Home
“You were the hit of our convention. I had many of our members approach me after your presentation saying that you were the best speaker they had ever seen at a Carpet One event. After 33 conventions and dozens of world class speakers, that is quite a compliment. We thoroughly enjoyed having you and are extremely appreciative of your insight and your contributions to our members.”
OrangeTheory Fitness
On-Site
O., Mgmt, OrangeTheory Fitness
“Ross, you did an awesome job with your Orangetheory Fitness presentation! Your Father's story was so impressive. He was obviously a great person, and I bet you are too. Bought your book: No More Customer Friction. Will probably use it as a training tool for my Team. If you ever in the East Bay come by for a workout on me and I guarantee you will have a much better OTF experience. Thank you for a great talk I will be using it to make myself and my Team better.”
Hilton Worldwide Inc.
On-Site
H., Mgmt, Hilton Worldwide Inc.
“The audience response from the conference has been off the charts positive… clearly demonstrated your research into our company and industry and your absolute grasp of our company vision. This comment truly captures the sentiment shared by all…Ross Shafer was a tremendous moderator and had a positive impact on the overall flow and perception of the conference.”
ACEC
On-Site
M., Senior Meetings & Events Consultant, ACEC
“Although you’ve probably heard it several times by now...once again you made the A.C.E.C Intl. Engineering Awards DC's best entertainment ticket of the night! Well done again!”
Bill Nye The Science Guy
On-Site
B.N., Celebrity/Actor/Scientist/Comedian, Bill Nye The Science Guy
“Ross Shafer coined the phrase ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ and gave me my start on TV.”
Jay Leno
On-Site
J.L., Celebrity/Show Host/Comedian, Jay Leno
“Finally a motivational speaker without the speech. Ross Shafer is one of the funniest guys I know.”
Joel McHale
On-Site
J.M., Celebrity/Actor/Host, Joel McHale
“I wouldn’t be the comedy genius I am without Ross Shafer.”
Bill Maher
On-Site
B.M., TV Host, Bill Maher
“Read Ross’s book now and over the course of your lifetime you’ll save thousands of dollars in the Self Help section.”
Royalty Rewards
On-Site
K.D., VP, Royalty Rewards
“Ross Shafer spent a lot of time studying our challenges so he could build a customized keynote; designed to offer solutions our clients could put to use immediately. He also scored very high on our laugh meter. I’ve heard good things from attendees ever since.”
Home Services of America
On-Site
K.M., CMP, Home Services of America
"Ross Shafer’s brilliant combination of humor and highly humanistic messaging got a thunderous and sustained standing ovation from our nearly one thousand top performers. After talking about the importance of showing respect to others and creating relationships, Ross stayed for an additional two hours to satisfy the scores of our agents who wanted to take selfies and chat with Ross."
GWN Securities
On-Site
T.A., Leadership, GWN Securities
“Ross, you far exceeded our expectations. We were looking for someone who could deliver a relevant message and get people buzzing. The entire audience was laughing from beginning until the standing ovation at the end.”
QinetiQ
On-Site
T.H., Leadership Development, QinetiQ
“Ross was great! Truly appreciate how he absorbed our five imperatives and shared humor, lessons, and anecdotes in support of our message.”
The Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA)
On-Site
S.P., Marketing Manager, The Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA)
“We highly recommend Ross Shafer to any professional group seeking to motivate and inspire its members. Ross and his partner, Allison spent a considerable amount of time on the front end to ensure the presentation aligned with our audience, mission, and vision. Ross did a tremendous job tailoring his content to meet our needs. His presentation was both motivating and humorous, you could tell the audience was very engaged throughout. In addition, Ross was just an all-around nice guy and incredibly easy and gracious to work with. His presentation style was friendly, focused, and sincere.”
Vertafore
On-Site
L.S., Senior Manager, Events, Vertafore
“Ross is a hidden gem! Everyone of all ages can relate to his humor and he did an amazing job connecting to our audience. He puts in the time and effort before he speaks to truly understand how he can add value to your program!”
Magnolia Productions
On-Site
A., VP Production, Magnolia Productions
“You were an absolute joy to have on the team. The (Family Feud) game was a huge success because of you. The awards really came to life with your ad libs. You got the tone just right! The head honchos all loved it.”
Soprema
On-Site
T., CEO, Soprema
“I can’t tell you (in a few words) how much I enjoyed spending time with you. And of course, you did a great Keynote job – very well received. And the “pow” and “wow” factor fits right into our last two years of sales training.”
RMLS
On-Site
K., President & CEO, RMLS
“Ross Shafer was brilliantly funny. More than engaging, he was riveting. He tailored his content perfectly to our theme. His insights were as impactful as they were entertaining.”
Valet Living
On-Site
S., CEO, Valet Living
“Let me say, you truly captivated our company. Your genuine, funny, authentic presentation really resonated. And your real-life examples of POW and WOW were perfect.”
Great West Casualty Insruance
On-Site
A., Mgmt, Great West Casualty Insruance
“The feedback we have received so far has been outstanding. The biggest comment was that everyone wished we had given you longer to speak so they could hear more of your message!“
Rentokil Inital
On-Site
C., CEO, Rentokil Inital
“Just a short note to say how much we enjoyed your speech at the Atlanta History Museum. I thought the Wow/Pow customer focus was particularly relevant, and we’ve used your idea of (sales) storytelling has been used on several occasions ever since our meeting."











