Speechwriting: Creating Authenticity

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The image of the speechwriter in televised programmes (such as The Thick of It, The West Wing or Yes Minister) is something of a puppeteer, a sinister figure operating in the shadows, malevolently manipulating our political masters. Simon Lancaster believes that the successful speechwriter is less of a puppeteer and more of an impressionist. 

In his talk, he will share a number of stories and anecdotes from his time as speechwriter, setting out how he captures someone else’s authentic voice and what happens when it goes wrong.

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This event was on Wed, 09 May 2018

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Simon Lancaster

Simon runs Bespoke, a specialist speechwriting agency. Simon has written speeches for many prominent figures in the political and business sphere including Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP and the CEOs of Unilever and InterContinental Hotels.

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