When groups want a message with their merriment, Mack is the comedic motivational speaker they call. Creating hilarious custom humor for each client comes naturally to the former staff writer for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and his stories of surviving two battles with cancer, a stay in an African prison, “the sharks in showbiz who stab you in the front,” and one “near-fatal marriage” are as inspiring as they are laugh-out-loud funny. If anyone knows about overcoming adversity to achieve his goals, it's Mack, and his proven 7-Step Formula is simple, practical, and inspiring. After hearing of Mack’s harrowing survival stories, a TV producer asked him to speak to a group of graduating students. Mack’s presentation, "Laugh to the Top: A Hilarious Guide to Achieving Your Goals," was so moving and funny (he's made his living onstage for more than two decades) that he got immediate spinoffs and has since shared his inspiring story and unique, clean humor with thousands at corporate and association meetings nationwide. Said the president of the Arizona Dental Association: "Mack presented a wonderful, thought-out and prepared message…but some of his funniest and best received comments were from the information we provided him (custom humor)…we couldn’t be happier.” Mack is also The Perfect Host, a world-class Emcee who turns awards shows and general sessions into uproarious, memorable events. He's also an accomplished speaking coach, specializing, naturally, on the "Proper as well as the Criminal" use of humor. He customizes his Killer Platform Techniques: Speaking Skills for the Skittish for nervous beginners or seasoned executives, depending on experience level. From humble beginnings as “the funniest paper mill employee in Mississippi,” Mack became an award-winning journalist, a black belt karate champion, and finally a professional comedian whose talent and perseverance eventually got him hand-picked by Bill Maher to write on the acclaimed show. As a performer, he’s appeared on The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, many other TV shows and movies, including JAG and a recurring role as a judge on ABC’s The Guardian. (His credentials as a Renaissance Man were boosted in 2008 when a Canadian firm began the manufacture and worldwide distribution of his invention, the Canvas Keeper). Mack Dryden's performing experience pays off on the platform. Said another client, “You immediately put everybody at ease because you looked like you were having so much fun yourself. Getting so much practical information was a bonus!” Titles Laugh to the Top The Perfect Host Celebrating Cancer Survival Managing Change with a Chuckle Topics Humor, Change, Emcee, Stress, Goal-setting, Entertainment Click topic above to see more speakers on that topic Speaker's Asking Fee Range $5,000 - $7,499 Click on fee range to see more speakers. This is the starting keynote fee range - other programs may be higher. State CA Click on state above to see more speakers from that state. Fees The fee range quoted means the speaker's fee starts somewhere within that range. Note that speaker's fees are subject to change and some speakers may have special fee quotes.