The Top 20 Marketing TED Talks You Should Listen To in 2024

Success in marketing calls for a combination of fresh ideas and an understanding of the human psyche.TED Talks can expand your horizons and inspire you to think differently about problems and possible solutions. These videos present insights, perspectives, and ideas that might challenge your perceptions about marketing and even life in general. Here, we take a look at TED Talks and the visionaries behind them.

What are TED Talks?

TED Talks bring topics to life and are available in 100+ languages. The global non-profit TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) advocates for idea exchange in the form of short but impactful talks (18 minutes or less). Similarly, TEDx is the local extension of the brand. These events bring communities together for engagement and discourse.

TED Talks are popular because they break down complex topics into digestible nuggets. The speakers are most often entrepreneurs, changemakers, and industry experts who have distilled their message into a format you can easily watch in one sitting. And although the videos are short, the breadth and depth of the speakers are impressive.

TED Talks vs TEDx

TED Talks and TEDx Talks both promote the exchange of ideas and encourage dialogue. However, there are differences between the two entities. TED Talks are under the TED conference umbrella, and the speakers and related videos are curated and branded by the organization.

TEDx events are separate, community-based events, but they follow the format and guidelines set by TED. The local focus gives organizers more agency as they choose topics and speakers that are relevant to their peers. At the same time, the production value isn’t typically as sophisticated as TED Talks because of limited resources at the community level.

20 Best Marketing TED Talks That Will Inspire You

Creating marketing campaigns that get results requires a growth mindset. You must stay humble and be open to new perspectives. These 20 TED Talks will expose you to new ideas that might change how you approach marketing.

1. Rajesh Srinivasan: Future of Marketing: Human Centricity | TED Talk

Srinivasan makes the case that the best marketing campaigns consider human needs and values over technology for the sake of it. This talk will help you connect the dots between empathy and the human condition.

2. Jessica Apotheker: What will happen to marketing in the age of AI? | TED Talk

Apotheker reflects on how artificial intelligence has impacted marketing. Specifically, she offers tips on how to use AI in marketing to connect with your audience and stay current with trends.

3. Caitlin Shear: Can You Hear Me Now? How Listening Transformed Marketing Strategy | TEDx Talk

As the title suggests, Shear weighs in on how listening is undervalued today in an increasingly noisy world. In the video, she explains that by going back to the basics, her company reported impressive results. This talk is great for anyone interested in customer relations and retention.

4. Teresa Heath-Wareing: How Social Media is Changing the Face of Marketing | TED Talk

Heath-Wareing offers her take on social media’s role in marketing. She explains the challenges and opportunities related to social media while laying out tips to use the platforms strategically.

5. Rory Sutherland: Life Lessons from an Ad Man | TED Talk

Longtime advertising professional Sutherland makes the case that advertising can be used for good. This talk might help you get out of a rut and come up with a solution that serves the greater good at the same time.

6. Seth Godin: How to Get Your Ideas to Spread | TED Talk

Marketing guru Godin reflects on the importance of spreading ideas and the right way to go about it. He cites how the great ideas of the past are what have brought us to this moment in history.

7. Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action | TED Talk

Sinek presents his views on standout leadership and how great leaders motivate and inspire people to do great things. While this one isn’t marketing-focused per se, the insights related to leadership can and do apply to connecting with consumers via influential ad campaigns.

8. Joseph Pine: What Consumers Want | TED Talk

Pine takes viewers through the experience economy and what it means for companies. This talk is a must-watch for anyone with a vested interest in delivering superior customer service.

9. Dan Cobley: What Physics Taught Me About Marketing | TED Talk

Cobley posits that physics and marketing have more in common than you might think. He draws on a scientific foundation to bring marketing concepts to life. This talk is recommended for anyone open to approaching marketing and sales in a nontraditional way.

10. Morgan Spurlock: The Greatest TED Talk Ever Sold | TED Talk

The late Spurlock, known for his “Super Size Me” fame, provides a candid look at the worlds of advertising and sponsorship. This talk is a must-watch for anyone open to learning about how pop culture shapes advertising and vice versa.

11. Sheena Iyengar: The Art of Choosing | TED Talk

Iyengar lays out how psychology drives purchasing decisions. She calls out the nuances of making choices and how companies can help customers make better decisions. This talk will help you better understand the dynamics of consumer decision-making and how you can close more deals.

12. Andrew Stanton: The Clues to a Great Story | TED Talk

Every marketing campaign draws on a narrative. In this video, Filmmaker Stanton dissects the elements of great storytelling. By sharing powerful stories, companies can connect with their audience and influence sales. This talk will help you understand how to craft genuine narratives that connect and inspire.

13. David Carson: Design, Discovery and Humor | TED Talk

Graphic artist Carson reflects on the relationship between design, communication, and marketing. He also explains how marketers can create visual content that gets shared. This talk will help you think differently about design.

14. Nancy Duarte: The Secret Structure of Great Talks | TED Talk

Duarte claims the most powerful presentations follow a certain prescribed formula. She offers tips to help develop and deliver talks that leave a lasting impression. This talk would benefit anyone looking to sharpen their communication skills.

15. Tim Leberecht: 4 Ways to Build a Human Company in the Age of Machines | TED Talk

Leberecht shares how companies can cultivate genuine connections, even as automation takes hold. This talk is important for marketers looking to maintain a human touch.

16. David JP Phillips: The 110 Techniques of Communication and Public Speaking | TED Talk

Phillips’ tips can help you improve communication and public speaking. This talk is recommended for anyone committed to developing in these areas.

17. Jia Jiang: What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection | TED Talk

Who knew rejection could lead to overcoming fear? Jiang shares his own journey and how even this negative experience can lead to confidence. This talk might be just what you need to get out of your comfort zone and check that big accomplishment off your list.

18. Tali Sharot: The Optimism Bias | TED Talk

Sharot presents a thoughtful take on the optimism bias and how it influences decisions. The key takeaway: understanding this bias can help marketers develop better campaigns. This talk can help you better understand the hidden brain and its effects on consumer choices.

19. Ann Handley: Good Content vs. Good Enough Content | TED Talk

Best-selling author Handley walks viewers through digital marketing trends and why high-quality content matters. She provides tips on how to develop and execute a content strategy that won’t flop.

20. Jonah Berger: Why Things Catch on | TEDX Talk

Berger looks at the phenomenon of viral ideas. Citing scientific evidence, he offers a framework for creating content that lands. This talk would help anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and content.

These TED and TEDx Talks run the gamut of topics but the common theme is connecting with people. Add these to your watch list and you just might find that creativity, motivation and success are within reach.

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