Chris Barton is famous for conceiving and spearheading the invention of the breakthrough artificial intelligence technology known as Shazam. Famed as the Founder and first CEO of Shazam, Chris’s revolutionary technology has been downloaded over two billion times and was acquired by Apple for a reported staggering $400 million in 2018. A renowned expert on ‘different ways of thinking’ and game-changing innovation, Chris is now a popular choice as a keynote speaker. When looking for a speaker who is an expert on innovation, technology and disruptive thinking, look no further than Chris Barton.
Back in 1999, Chris began his illustrious career in Business Development for Microsoft. One year later, in 2000, Chris became the Founder and CEO of Shazam, bringing to the market a new and innovative piece of technology that has since become Apple’s sixth-largest acquisition of all time. Until 2018, Chris was an integral part of the Shazam enterprise, working as the Board Director before the firm was acquired by Apple. Alongside his work with Shazam, Chris has also worked in Strategic Partnerships – Mobile and as the Head of Android Business Development – Americas for Google, creating Android’s mobile carrier alliance framework from scratch.
Proving his worth as a technology entrepreneur and expert, Chris has also worked as the Head of Mobile Operators Business Development for Dropbox. Most recently, in 2020, Chris became the Founder and CEO of Guard Inc – another revolutionary artificial intelligence concept that would prevent drowning in swimming pools. When he is not pioneering the biggest developments in AI technology, Chris can be found starring on TV, having previously starred in the Super Bowl TV Ad and the Renault TV Ad. Chris has also been granted 12 patents, including those on inventions for Google, Shazam and Dropbox.
With a decorated career to his name, Chris is now a popular choice as a keynote speaker on innovation for events. Sharing how Shazam became a reality, Chris encourages audiences to ‘think differently’ and drive innovation. Dedicated to creating, inspiring and driving impact, Chris provides actionable takeaways on how to transform innovation within organisations. A seasoned speaker, Chris has formerly spoken for American Express, Coca-Cola, Accenture, Verizon and SAP to name but a few illustrious companies. If you are looking to inspire disruptive thinking or innovation at your next event, don’t hesitate to hire Chris Barton today.
Reviews
Chris Barton received a 4.5 star rating across 10 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"Chris Barton is an exemplary speaker on technology, renowned for inventing Shazam and driving innovative AI technology. With a career spanning Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, Chris's expertise in disruptive thinking and game-changing innovation makes him an inspirational keynote choice for any event."
How to hire Chris Barton
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Chris Barton for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Chris Barton's official speaking topics are listed below:
Bring Impossible Ideas to Life:
Technology and AI are dramatically changing what’s possible in our world. Our challenge as we create new things is to dislodge from the comfort of what we already know. Chris created Shazam after being told by every “expert” that his outlandish idea was impossible. It was an idea far ahead of its time – eight years before iPhone apps even existed. In this presentation, Chris helps audiences imagine and then create new visions for the future. He inspires with jaw-dropping stories about creating Shazam and shows how innovation comes from not just an idea, but from a series of insights to overcome obstacles along the way.
Overcome Obstacles with Imagination:
A great idea gets you nowhere without tenacity. True disruption requires both persistence and creative solutions. In creating Shazam, Chris faced obstacles many thought were insurmountable. Most would have given up, but he refused. Instead, Chris challenged every assumption about the obstacles he faced. He shares stories and actionable lessons that inspire audiences to pursue their dreams. Chris urges audiences to question the status quo and to sweat the details on the path to redefining the future.
Eliminate Effort to Unlock Explosive Growth:
We all know simple is great, so why don’t all organisations create amazing things just like Apple? The reality is that friction permeates almost everything we do. This “extra effort” frustrates our customers, partners and colleagues. In creating Shazam, Chris moved mountains to make one thing very easy – identifying any song. Shazam changed the way the world discovers music. Chris combines stories from creating Shazam with his twelve years at Android (Google) and Dropbox to provide concrete examples of how we can all push boundaries to eliminate friction.
Build the Vision You See (But Others Don't):
Entrepreneurs have passion, ideas and desire but can get stuck on the difficult journey to achieving their dreams. They want to bring something truly new to the world but need to learn how to overcome big obstacles, choose their priorities and convince others of their vision. Chris inspires and teaches entrepreneurs using the story of Shazam’s creation including the scrappy and creative hacks that transformed an idea into a product with two billion customers.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events:
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Chris is perhaps the most driven person I have met. Shazam was a dream he invented, and his persistence and dedication were what eventually created the company. Chris is a true entrepreneur and I have always been in awe of his talent." - Jerry, Chairman, Learning Foundation
"As Founder and CEO of Shazam, Chris was an early inspiration to all who worked with him. A real dynamo - passionate about his company, and full of creative ideas." - Clayton, Owner, ImaginativeHR
- 2024 - Keynote speaker at the UnitedAg 44th Annual Meeting & Conference "CONNECT"
- 2020 - Founder & CEO of Guard Inc.
- 2011 - Head of Mobile Operators Business Development for Dropbox
- 2010 - Head of Android Business Development - Americas for Google
- 2004 - Strategic Partnerships - Mobile for Google
- 2000 - Founder, Original CEO & Board Director of Shazam
- 1999 - Business Development for Microsoft
