ScottDikkers

  • Co-founding Editor, The Onion
  • 2024 SPEAKER

Scott Dikkersis a #1New York Timesbestselling author, comedy writer, and comedian widely regarded as one of the most influential pioneers in comedy history. His visionary leadership atThe Onion, his groundbreaking comic stripJim’sJournal, plus his multiple top-10 comedy podcasts have garnered him tens of millions of fans all over the world.RollingStonenamed him one of its top 10 favorite writers.EntertainmentWeeklydesignated him “the funniest person in America” and placed him on the “It List” of the hottest celebrities in show business. He graced the cover ofTimemagazine as one the top 50 movers and shakers online. He’s the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, a Peabody, and more Webby awards than any other individual or organization. Considered a one-of-a-kind comedy legend throughout the entertainment industry, he literally wrote the book on comedy, the bestselling How to Write Funny, which spawned a training center at the famed Second City in Chicago where he mentors young creators who have gone on to win Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars.

An accomplished stage presenter who performs stand-up and has appeared on national TV shows likeLateNightwithConanO’BrienandSaturdayNightLive,Dikkers shares how he escaped a tough childhood through his love of comedy. A small, shy kid,Dikkersendured an upbringing marked by poverty, divorce, bullying, and even a suicide attempt at the age of eight. He found solace and inspiration fromMadmagazine, which fed his passion and inspired him to createThe Onion. Dikkersoutlines his journey in his bestselling book “Outrageous Marketing: The Story ofThe Onionand How To Build a Powerful Brand with No Marketing Budget”. WithThe Onion,Dikkers broke the mold for branding and marketing, and he spells out his unlikely success with hilarious stories that will bring audiences to tears with laugher. More about substance than hype,Dikkers makes clear how the creative process needs to be open, challenging, and engaging for teams and individuals to achieve their dreams.