Since co-founding AKQA in 1995, James Hilton has been at the forefront of an industry which has seen the company grow to become the world’s most respected creative agency. Working with global clients such as Nike, Audi, Warner Brothers, Fiat, Heineken and Google, AKQA has grown into 14 offices around... Read more
Since co-founding AKQA in 1995, James Hilton has been at the forefront of an industry which has seen the company grow to become the world’s most respected creative agency. Working with global clients such as Nike, Audi, Warner Brothers, Fiat, Heineken and Google, AKQA has grown into 14 offices around the world and employs over 2,500 practitioners dedicated to producing the finest work in the industry. As the agency’s Chief Creative Officer, Hilton’s responsibility was to inspire the agency’s clients and teams, and to relentlessly pursue the hunt for the next generation.
As a world leader in design and creativity, Hilton has collected a multitude of global awards including Grand Prix and Gold Cannes Lions, and has also served as a judge for Cannes Lions, Webby Awards, D&AD, and as Jury Chairman for the Clio Awards and EuroBest. He was also appointed into the Creativity 50, a list of the world’s 50 most influential and inspiring creative personalities alongside Apple’s Jonathan Ive.
Hilton was named as the UK’s number one digital Creative Director for two years successively, and AKQA ‘Agency of the Year’ by Campaign magazine in the UK, and AdWeek in the US. AKQA have now been awarded this title more times, on both sides of the Atlantic, than any other agency in history.
Supporting and inspiring the next generation of thinkers and creators, and providing them with opportunities to flourish has been a core passion of his and AKQA’s since it was founded. Recognising the need for an awards platform specifically for full-time students, AKQA instigated the Future Lions Awards at the Cannes Festival of Creativity. Receiving thousands of entries every year from over 40 countries, it is now seen as the most innovative and exciting seminar of the festival and has a 100% success rate in its winners being hired by the worlds best agencies.
In June 2013, WPP bought a majority stake in AKQA valuing the company at approximately $350m USD. In November 2014, after completing the award-winning interior redesign of AKQA’s London office, Hilton made the decision to combine his love of product design, interiors, technology and motorcycles into a new company called AtelierStrange.
Hilton continues to speak at international events, write for creative publications and maintains his connections with universities across the world to assist in the inspiration of the industries future creative leaders.
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You can book James Hilton through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with James's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
James Hilton's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for James tailored to your event.
James Hilton speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with James to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book James Hilton for events worldwide, subject to James's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether James Hilton is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what James can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief James Hilton on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what James can offer.
James Hilton delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
James Hilton's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of James's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
James Hilton can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of James's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what James Hilton is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with James Hilton, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check James's current availability for your dates.