The might of celebrities is undeniable. They sell magazines, newspapers plus they prompt us to switch on and tune in everyday. They determine the clothes consumers wear, the shampoo people use plus the foods we buy, or do not. Exactly what, then, is the role of the celebrity speaker in our already celebrity obsessed society? Surely the countless more subtle endorsements, or rather the more conventional ones, for instance Television advertising campaigns and so on, are a good enough invasion into and influence on our lives without the famous becoming celebrity speaker at nearly anything from political rallies, to store openings to charity dinners?

The celebrity speaker is more prevalent and potent. Whether or not it be of their own accord or because of a big hire fee, it’s more typical than ever before to find some kind of public figure or other at events. Prominent examples of celebs becoming speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and his band of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, using their fame and influence to increase recognition of the predicament of the hungry.

More recently than that, celebrity speakers have been spotted playing more of a political purpose. Take Jamie Oliver and his one-man war on junk food and even more recently there was the case of Arlene Phillips coming into governmental politics as the dance tsar.

Regardless of whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is bigger today than ever before. Not anymore do stars just determine style and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a strong message. What place for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and in many cases the more mature individuals among us have to admit to being a bit interested in what they have to talk about. Their fame is attractive plus they are role models, whether we like it or not. So if the celebrity speaker will be able to drive forward a charity’s cause, send a clear message to boost the nation’s well being or stir up a bit of involvement in politics, then certainly they’ve got a role. And not just a role: a responsibility, to use their influence conscientiously.

An after dinner speaker and their role at charity, sports and educational events is a concept with which most people are familiar; keynote speakers are less known. Without being aware of it though, most people have heard keynote speakers at one time or another. We simply don’t realise because unlike an after dinner speaker, the idea of keynote speakers is not so commonplace.

Keynote speakers deliver their speeches at grand, important and large events. Such events could be political, educational, commercial or industrial. The purpose of the speech is to set out the general tone of the event as a whole.This means that keynote speakers might summarise the core message of the event or get across the most important message.

Keynote speakers may perform either at the beginning or end of the event, depending on whether or not they are introducing the event or summing it up. When they are working to introduce the event, they aim to drum up interest amongst the audience so that they are ready and anticipating the event.On the other hand, if they are employed to speak at the end of the event, they will focus more on summing up key messages so that the audience leaves with a very clear understanding of what the event has been about.

Thanks to experience and training in public speaking, keynote speakers can be relied upon to make a coherent and engaging speech. Oftentimes they are also famous, renowned or well respected in their field. They are never hired only for speaking ability, but for the authority and the expertise with which they can comment on a subject area. This is why the majority of keynote speakers are intelligent, educated, successful and business minded.

Keynote speakers are sometimes hired to reward attendees. Many students are rewarded with a speech by someone they look up to or respect at their graduation ceremony.Similarly, keynote speakers may be hired with the specific aim of raising the profile of and interest in an event.

Most people have heard of an after dinner and are aware of their function at many types of events, including charitable, educational or sporting occasions, but yet aren’t familiar with keynote speakers. Without being aware of it though, most people have heard keynote speakers at one time or another. We simply don’t realise because unlike an after dinner speaker, the idea of keynote speakers is not so commonplace.

Keynote speakers deliver their speeches at grand, important and large events. Such events could be political, educational, commercial or industrial.The speech aims to set the underlying tone of the wider event. Keynote speakers therefore, will often summarise the main message of the event or pass on an important message.

Keynote speakers will speak at the start of an event if they are introducing it, or at the end of the event if they are summing it up. When they are working to introduce the event, they aim to drum up interest amongst the audience so that they are ready and anticipating the event.On the other hand, if they are employed to speak at the end of the event, they will focus more on summing up key messages so that the audience leaves with a very clear understanding of what the event has been about.

Keynote speakers have generally been trained in public speaking and know how to make engaging and coherent speeches. Oftentimes they are also famous, renowned or well respected in their field. Keynote speakers are employed on the basis of the credibility and authority they bring to a topic, rather than solely on their public speaking abilities.As a result, keynote speakers are generally educated, successful and in some cases business minded.

Sometimes, certain keynote speakers are hired to reward the attendees. In many graduation ceremonies, a celebrity or academic who is well respected by the student body might be hired. Also, many keynote speakers are hired with the simple aim of increasing interest in and attendance at an event.

The authority of celebrities is unquestionable. They sell magazines, newspapers and they also encourage us to turn on and tune in on a daily basis. They affect the clothes people put on, the products people buy and the foods people consume, or don’t. Just what, then, is the point of the celebrity speaker within our undoubtedly celebrity obsessed society? Surely the countless more subtle endorsements, or rather the more conventional ones, for instance TV advertising campaigns and the like, are a good enough invasion into and influence on us without the famous turning celebrity speaker at all sorts of things from political rallies, to shop openings to charity dinners?

The celebrity speaker is more and more prevalent and potent. Whether or not it’s of their own accord or because of a generous hire fee, it is more popular than ever before to see some celeb or other at events. Prominent cases of celebs turning speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and his band of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, employing their fame and influence to raise awareness of the circumstances of the hungry.

More recently than that, celebrity speakers happen to have been observed playing more of a political part. There is Jamie Oliver and his one-man war on processed foods and even more recently there was the case of Arlene Phillips engaging in governmental politics as the dance tsar.

Whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is bigger today than ever before. No more do celebrities merely affect vogue and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a valid message. What use for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and even the more adult people among us must admit to being a bit interested in what they have to say. Their fame is alluring and they are role models, whether we like it or not. Therefore if the celebrity speaker can drive forward a charity’s cause, send a clear message to enhance the nation’s health or perhaps stir up a bit of curiosity about politics, then certainly they have a purpose. And not just a purpose: a responsibility, to make use of their sway sensibly.

Graduation ceremonies at university are very proud moments for those receiving their degree and the parents or friends who accompany them. Working towards a degree will bring you the chance to have a successful career, brighter job prospects and a life changing time away from home. The ceremony should celebrate the achievements of the attendees, and well chosen keynote speakers are one of the best ways that this can be done.

I do not think that a university life is for everyone, and I do not mean to sound like a snob, but picking a keynote speaker who has not been to university is the wrong decision for ceremony organisers to make. Going straight into a job after leaving school is a life completely different than if you choose to go to university for three or four years, and keynote speakers will not be able to relate with their audience if they have not gone through the same experiences.

There is an independence that comes with university. You live far away from home; have to live with people you might not like, become financially smart as soon as you start working out how much money you need to earn on top of your loan if you want to have a full social and academic life. These are things that you do not deal with when you stay at home.

For most people who go into work after school, they live with their parents for a number of months if not years, they choose friends to move in with when they do decide to leave home, and the security of a job contract leaves less financial worries than when you rely on student loans and part time work. And contrary to most people’s beliefs, those who do go to university mostly pay for the experience themselves by getting a part time job. Working through the holidays and paying of their loan once they have left.

And so when graduation ceremonies are being planned, the keynote speakers should be chosen on their experiences, including attending university themselves. If they have not been they will not be able to give a speech that targets their audience.