Jeffrey Cole

Jeffrey Cole

Keynote Speaker: Professor Emeritus of Communication Research & Director of the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg School of Communication

Jeffrey Cole Biography

Jeffrey Cole has been at the forefront of media and communication technology issues both in the United States and internationally for the past three decades. An expert in the field of technology and emerging media, Cole serves as an adviser to governments and leading companies around the world as they craft digital strategies.

Cole founded and directs the World Internet Project, a long-term longitudinal look at the effects of computer and Internet technology, which is conducted in over 35 countries. At the announcement of the project in June 1999, Vice President Al Gore praised Cole as a “true visionary providing the public with information on how to understand the impact of media.”

Cole regularly presents trends and insights of the project to the White House, FCC, Congress, Department of Defense and heads of governments around the world. He has worked closely with the CEOs of GroupM, Ericsson, Telstra, Wesfarmers and others. On the advisory side, his long-term relationships have included Microsoft, Sony, Time Warner, AT&T, AARP, CBS, NBC, ABC, CPB, PBS, HP, Coca-Cola and many more as they learn to navigate the digital future.

Under Cole’s leadership, the Center for the Digital Future has conducted deep examinations of the entertainment, sports media, transportation, health care and banking industries to identify where the next wave of disruption will occur.

In the 1990s, Cole worked closely with the four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) dealing with television programming issues under an anti-trust waiver that allowed the networks to work together for the very first time. Upon the release of the 1996 report, Cole held a joint press conference with President Bill Clinton, who referred to the Center for Communication Policy as “the premier educational institution setting trends in entertainment.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jeffrey Cole and other top speakers and celebrities.

Jeffrey Cole Speaking Topics

Disruption

This is the main theme of my work. Disruption always comes from unexpected places, frequently from two guys in a garage who change the world (Google, Apple, HP and more). The disruption of the retail business should have come from WalMart or Target, not an upstart book seller (in a garage) in Seattle. The disruption of the taxi industry should have come from Yellow Cab, not a Silicon Valley tech company and the disruption of the automobile business should have come from Toyota or GM, not am immigrant from South Africa who knew nothing about cars.

When faced with disruption, few industries know how to react. Some deny the threat is real, others try to have their competition made illegal (music or the funeral business). Most double down and refuse to make the necessary changes that will help them survive.

Kodak and Xerox should today be as powerful and wealthy as amazon, Google or Apple. They didn't recognize the threats to their business and today are irrelevant.

My talk shows businesses or citizens (depending on the audience) how to recognize when disruption has arrived. and how they can survive being torn apart from disruptive change. Issues of understanding competition and, most especially, providing leadership are central.

This talk looks at Ai as the largest (and perhaps most important) development in disruption by placing it in the context of previous change.

How digital technology changes (and changed) the world

My Center has created and runs the longest and most important study of the long term effects of digital technology in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Internet_Project

This talk examines where digital technology came from and how the world began to adapt to web pages, e-mail and especially broadband. The introduction of social media, on-line commerce and smart phones led to daily life being dramatically changed. Today, there is not an industry or activity that has not been affected by digital technology and most have been transformed. Land-line phones, phone books, encyclopedias, pocket calendars, calculators, personal cameras, newspapers, Walkmen and more are just some of the things that quickly became obsolete. Business such as retail, video, music and travel bear little resemblance to what they were 20 years ago.

With all these changes have come extraordinarily positive change (easier access to libraries and information, empowerment) as well as worrisome trends, especially from social media (misinformation, divisiveness). How are these themes likely to play out? How will Artificial intelligence with its great promise as well as serious threats to employment and, possible humankind's existence) change the world.

How the entertainment industry is changing at the speed of light (movie theaters, streaming, television and more)

Twenty years ago 90% of all television viewing was in three places (ABC, CBS, NBC) and everyone watched on a big screen that used to be 25 inches and today, in most homes, exceeds 50 inches. Occasionally we saw a movie in the theatre but most films were viewed by DVDs or pay-TV. Everything has changed.

Netflix invented the streaming business and gave us quality entertainment (their own and fro other studios) at a costs far below cable (which has never recovered). Just before COVID, Disney, Apple got into the streaming business and followed later by HBO, Paramount and Peacock). Today consumers have to decide how many of these streamers they will pay for it's looking a lot like cable).

And, if ever movie theaters were going to disappear it was during COVID when all theaters closed, we got out of the habit of going to the movies and ever]n our grandparents learned how to stream. Top Gun: Maverick showed their was areal love of going to the theater, but day we are weary of super hero movies, sequels with Roman numerals in the title and boring stories, usually much longer than they need to be.

This talk looks at how the changes in the entertainment industry from the perspective of the consumer. How to know what to watch or see and how to keep cable and streaming costs in check .

Jeffrey Cole Videos

Jeffrey Cole Interview
Jeffrey Cole, Director, Center for the Digital Future on The ...
Interview with Jeffrey Cole, USC Annenberg School for ...

How do I book Jeffrey Cole to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jeffrey Cole for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jeffrey Cole, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jeffrey Cole or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Jeffrey Cole for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Jeffrey Cole, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jeffrey Cole are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jeffrey Cole, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Jeffrey Cole speak about?

Jeffrey Cole is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Communication, Innovation, Futurism, Business, Disruptive Thinking, E-Commerce, Professors, News & Media, Modern Media and Entertainment.

Where does Jeffrey Cole travel from?

Jeffrey Cole generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Jeffrey Cole?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jeffrey Cole for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jeffrey Cole for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jeffrey Cole or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Jeffrey Cole is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Technology, Communication and Innovation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jeffrey Cole for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Jeffrey Cole generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are John Rossman, Erik Qualman and George Bloom. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jeffrey Cole for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 03/06/2026.

Jeffrey Cole Speaking Topics

  • Disruption

    This is the main theme of my work. Disruption always comes from unexpected places, frequently from two guys in a garage who change the world (Google, Apple, HP and more). The disruption of the retail business should have come from WalMart or Target, not an upstart book seller (in a garage) in Seattle. The disruption of the taxi industry should have come from Yellow Cab, not a Silicon Valley tech company and the disruption of the automobile business should have come from Toyota or GM, not am immigrant from South Africa who knew nothing about cars.

    When faced with disruption, few industries know how to react. Some deny the threat is real, others try to have their competition made illegal (music or the funeral business). Most double down and refuse to make the necessary changes that will help them survive.

    Kodak and Xerox should today be as powerful and wealthy as amazon, Google or Apple. They didn't recognize the threats to their business and today are irrelevant.

    My talk shows businesses or citizens (depending on the audience) how to recognize when disruption has arrived. and how they can survive being torn apart from disruptive change. Issues of understanding competition and, most especially, providing leadership are central.

    This talk looks at Ai as the largest (and perhaps most important) development in disruption by placing it in the context of previous change.

  • How digital technology changes (and changed) the world

    My Center has created and runs the longest and most important study of the long term effects of digital technology in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Internet_Project

    This talk examines where digital technology came from and how the world began to adapt to web pages, e-mail and especially broadband. The introduction of social media, on-line commerce and smart phones led to daily life being dramatically changed. Today, there is not an industry or activity that has not been affected by digital technology and most have been transformed. Land-line phones, phone books, encyclopedias, pocket calendars, calculators, personal cameras, newspapers, Walkmen and more are just some of the things that quickly became obsolete. Business such as retail, video, music and travel bear little resemblance to what they were 20 years ago.

    With all these changes have come extraordinarily positive change (easier access to libraries and information, empowerment) as well as worrisome trends, especially from social media (misinformation, divisiveness). How are these themes likely to play out? How will Artificial intelligence with its great promise as well as serious threats to employment and, possible humankind's existence) change the world.

  • How the entertainment industry is changing at the speed of light (movie theaters, streaming, television and more)

    Twenty years ago 90% of all television viewing was in three places (ABC, CBS, NBC) and everyone watched on a big screen that used to be 25 inches and today, in most homes, exceeds 50 inches. Occasionally we saw a movie in the theatre but most films were viewed by DVDs or pay-TV. Everything has changed.

    Netflix invented the streaming business and gave us quality entertainment (their own and fro other studios) at a costs far below cable (which has never recovered). Just before COVID, Disney, Apple got into the streaming business and followed later by HBO, Paramount and Peacock). Today consumers have to decide how many of these streamers they will pay for it's looking a lot like cable).

    And, if ever movie theaters were going to disappear it was during COVID when all theaters closed, we got out of the habit of going to the movies and ever]n our grandparents learned how to stream. Top Gun: Maverick showed their was areal love of going to the theater, but day we are weary of super hero movies, sequels with Roman numerals in the title and boring stories, usually much longer than they need to be.

    This talk looks at how the changes in the entertainment industry from the perspective of the consumer. How to know what to watch or see and how to keep cable and streaming costs in check .

Jeffrey Cole Videos

Jeffrey Cole Interview
Jeffrey Cole, Director, Center for the Digital Future on The ...
Interview with Jeffrey Cole, USC Annenberg School for ...
  • How do I book Jeffrey Cole to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jeffrey Cole for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jeffrey Cole, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jeffrey Cole or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Jeffrey Cole for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Jeffrey Cole, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jeffrey Cole are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jeffrey Cole, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jeffrey Cole speak about?

    Jeffrey Cole is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Communication, Innovation, Futurism, Business, Disruptive Thinking, E-Commerce, Professors, News & Media, Modern Media and Entertainment.
  • Where does Jeffrey Cole travel from?

    Jeffrey Cole generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Jeffrey Cole?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jeffrey Cole for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jeffrey Cole for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jeffrey Cole or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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