HAVE YOU SEEN ENOUGH MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME?
Well maybe it’s time you experienced the phenomenon that’s captivated audiences across the country: “Mick the Demotivational Speaker”!
Since his first presentation for the Australian Institute of Company Directors, “Mick” has been flown all over the country to entertain audiences and present his Seven Magic Steps for Suppressing Your Potential (… Well, seven was too many, he’s only got four).
His clients include: Enron, Harris Scarffe, HIH, Ansett and One Tel and certain sporting teams – you can probably work out which ones!
Mick’s presentation includes such important messages as:
The Advantages of Being Mediocre
How to Blame Others and Avoid Responsibility, and
Learn To Be Pessimistic!
In addition to Mick’s tried and tested methods for sabotaging success, he offers an in-depth analysis of your company, department or industry, tailoring his presentation to your specific demotivational needs.
The real story behind Mick
“Mick” is a safe, clean, customised and intelligent comedy character.
He looks like a drunken bogan – but he’s oh so much more.
Andrew has been a professional speaker for fifteen years. Shortly after adding stand-up comedy to his repertoire, he performed as “Mick The Demotivational Speaker” at Werzel’s Comedy Lounge, just for fun.
After his first gig for the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2002, “Mick” completely took off and he now flies all around the country. Eventually, Andrew had to take on another comedian – his good friend and professional associate Malcolm Dix – to write and perform the character, too. These days, they do about the same number of gigs each, in capital cities and towns across Australia.
“Mick’s” real clients have included:
AeM
Alcoa
Alliance Investments
AMP
Argyle
ANZ Bank
Australasian College of Emergency Medicine
Australian Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
Australian Institute of Credit Union Managers (ACT)
Australian National Credit Union (NSW)
Australian Research Management Association
BankWest
BHP
Caravan Industry Australia
Centrelink (NSW)
Century 21 Real Estate
Department of Industry and Resources
Design Institute of Australia
Edith Cowan University
Energy In WA Conference
Events WA
Friendlies Chemists
GEAC
Hewlett Packard
Innovator of the Year Awards
Kaleeya Private Hospital
MacMahon
Mallesons Stephen Jaques
Mirrabooka SHS
Mortgage Industry Association
Orrcon Steel
Perpetual Trustees
Perth Hyatt Hotel
Real Estate Employers Federation
Rezitech (VIC)
Rio Tinto
Rotary District 9450
Roy Weston
Seasol (VIC/NSW/WA)
Smartline
Super Liquor (NZ in QLD)
St. Andrew’s Insurance
Taxi Council of WA
Telstra
Travellers Choice (QLD)
Wesfarmers
West Coast Eagles
West Coast TAFE
Western Hearing Services
Western Power
WA State Schools Registrars’ Association
Why does it work?
The keys to the success of the character are several:
1. Mick’s presentation is customised for the group. They hear their own language, commentary on the industry and a few specific references to individual people or organisations which, done with tact and due care, is always good fun.
2. Some people are tired of motivational speakers so the whole idea is automatically funny (most audiences start laughing during his intro, before he has even said a word).
3. Mick actually acknowledges the success of the group but in a more typically Australian down-to-earth sort of way – so the group still gets a wonderful sense of acknowledgement, with humour.
4. And Mick really does have a motivational message, buried in the satire. Basically, to continue succeeding, you just do the opposite of everything he says!
How does it work?
Approximately a month before the event, Andrew will send you a list of questions and requests for the inside information. In some cases, it may be necessary for Andrew to meet with you as well, to get really clear on your group and your function, but the preparation can usually be done by phone and email.
Then either Andrew or Malcolm prepares a twenty to twenty five minute presentation – including “Mick“s introduction, to be read by your MC.
On the day/night, “Mick” will arrive just a couple of minutes before you’re ready to introduce him.
You need to warn hospitality staff to look out for a bogan with a bottle in his hand – on more than one occasion, people have tried to throw “Mick” out before he can get to the lectern!
He will stagger in just as the intro finishes and the magic begins …
For optimum performance
If it is a dinner
It is best for Mick to present reasonably early in the evening. The ideal time is between entrée and main course.
It is best if the guests are not eating during the presentation and the staff are not clearing plates either. This is to ensure the comedy has its best possible impact and you get maximum value from the presentation.
Mick needs a lectern for his notes and a microphone with high quality sound. He needs to present where he can be easily seen.
If it is a conference
It is best to have him on just after lunch or after a break as a way of bringing laughter and focus again before another speaker or the next section of the programme.
Mick needs a lectern and a microphone. He does not use Powerpoint.
If it is neither a meal nor a conference
The essential things for Mick are that the audience are seated and that they can all see and hear.
… Mick would be delighted to present at your event! …
“What a hit you were with our staff, they loved you! The feedback about you was fabulous and I was really impressed with how well you were able to include our key issues and challenges. Many speakers talk about customizing their presentations but none have executed it as well as you did.”
Australian National Credit Union
“Everyone I have spoken to absolutely loved ‘Mick’s’ presentation. It went down extremely well with our member delegates. I got to sit in on the presentation also and found it hilarious and perfect for our guys so a big THANK YOU to Andrew. Thank you for all your help. We would have no hesitation in recommending Andrew to others. Loved it!”
Hardware and Building Traders
‘Mick’ went down really well, both with locals and our overseas trained doctors. He fed in the conference material really well and it worked a treat. Many thanks! Rural Health West
“Andrew, You were the tonic that everyone needed! What a talent to make folks ‘belly laugh’ like that. Your performance was excellent and all could see the intelligence which made it so very clever. A million thanks from us all for your memorable and extremely funny performance. I have no idea how we are ever going to better this in future years.”
Edith Cowan University
“Andrew – 2 words: Bloody fantastic. Well done with all your research – I was most impressed, as were all our guests. The scary thing is amongst all that humour is a lot of truth! I will definitely be recommending you …”
Financial Planners Dinner
“‘Mick’ broke the night up beautifully. His act was what we needed to blend our devotion to the job, with the irreverence of de-motivation.”
O’Donnell Griffin
*“It was brilliant!! Every person attending on the night loved it. The boss was really happy with the presentation and the responses from all there. He has recommended “Mick” to several of his business contacts. Thanks
again, it was great!!”*
Allcool/ALLclean Property Services Plus
“Thank you so much for a fantastic presentation. I have received nothing but positive feedback about Mick, even though he did look a little dodgy when I first spotted him … I greatly appreciate the amount of effort you put into your presentation to tailor it to our audience.”
Alphawest
“Everyone is still raving about you! Mick was truly a success! It really made the night!”
Argyle Diamonds
”Thank you for all of your help during convention – it was great working with you. I had a quick browse through the feedback sheets over the weekend – and both you and “Mick” got rave reviews. Mick got lots of scores of 10 (the columns actually went to 5). I think Mick was the perfect end to the convention – it was really good to finish off the two days with lots of laughter!”
WASSRA
“Thank you very much for last night. It was terrific and I had nothing but great feedback … I don’t usually like comedians but you were fabulous!”
Telstra, Call Centre Staff Meeting, 2004
“Thanks so much for making our conference end on such a high!! The feedback was excellent for ‘Mick’. He went down a treat. Some people were laughing so much they were crying!!!”
WA Police Service
“We received nothing but great reviews on his performance from our Overseas and Interstate guests. All were surprised and impressed with the performance … ‘Mick’ made a formal occasion into a relaxing and laughter filled night … Malcolm was excellent, everything was great.”
Pacific Automation
“thankyou for your excellent address… our members, and their guests, obviously enjoyed your humorous speech judging from the applause and feedback received since.”
Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2001
“I just wanted to send a brief note of thanks for your performance on Friday night. As you can appreciate, it can sometimes be a bit of a gamble using someone like Mick when you have such a varied audience – but you managed to pull it off in spectacular fashion (even our Chairman was impressed!). The extent of your background homework was impressive and certainly came through in your performance and I know that it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. Thank you once again, and I look forward to the next time I’m fortunate to witness a genius at work.”
St. Andrew’s Insurance
“A great hit. Everyone is still talking about it. Just what we needed after those frigging boring and never ending speeches. Thanks a heap.”
Transport Expo
“Dear Mick, Thank you for your truly sub-standard and below-par performance last night. It was definitely worse than it could have been and failed to meet the crowd’s expectations. There was a little dispirited discussion as to how you procured so much inside information. The AFP have been contacted and all your emails and correspondence will be examined. I have booked a one way ticket to the Cayman Islands. We will be unlikely to use your services again as we are all now truly apathetic. (Although Andrew Horabin may be recruited in another role.)”
Simon Edmunds
Gut Club Convenor (Gastroenterology)
“some of Mick’s lines were used at work the following day … Mick did a great job of entertaining 150 people … well recommended…”
Australian Refridgeration Industry Control Board
“Mate. It was great. The scary thing is that several of the customers (albeit somewhat pissed) began quoting some of the suggestions Mick made as making perfect sense – perhaps they do! Send me your invoice. You did a marvellous job.”
WA State Sales Manager, Orrcon Steel


