James Kirkham is a broadcaster, public speaker, cultural critic and business strategist with over 20 years of experience navigating the intersections of social media, business, and youth culture. At the forefront of shaping digital culture - his groundbreaking work for ‘Skins’ was the first time a TV show had EVER been marketed with social media.

With a proven ability to analyse the most pressing issues of today, James regularly appeared on Talk TV's ‘Trisha Goddard show’ and appeared on Sky News, CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC 5live and 6Music offering sharp, timely insights on topics ranging from social media trends, and emerging technology behaviours to political discourse.

James has given keynotes to leadership teams in businesses including Google, Meta, AB-Inbev, LADbible and featured at major events like Cannes Lions, SXSW, and Web Summit.

James is available for expert commentary on:

•⁠ ⁠The future of social media and its role in elections, activism, and global trends

•⁠ ⁠Athletes, artists and fan culture the evolving nature of fandom, social toxicity, social safe havens

•⁠ ⁠Influencer culture & authenticity: Examining the growing skepticism around influencers and the pressure on brands to be transparent

•⁠ ⁠Pop culture’s influence on politics: How celebrities and social media shape political discourse

•⁠ ⁠Hiring Gen Z professionals and the changing landscape of recruitment post-pandemic

•⁠ ⁠From TikTok to Rumble: The power of short-form video and emerging tech in shaping youth culture and driving business success

•⁠ ⁠The future of work: Remote work, AI, and digital-first careers

•⁠ ⁠Mental health & technology: The rise of digital wellness, Personal Intelligence AI, and the pressures of social media on well-being

Key Achievements:

•⁠Founder of Holler: Co-founded one of the UK’s first digital agencies, pioneering social-first campaigns. Skins was the first TV show marketed using social media, anticipating today’s influencer-driven marketing.

•⁠⁠Chief Business Officer at COPA90: Transformed COPA90 into a global football media brand with an engaged Gen Z following. The brand’s innovative use of social media in sports made it a standout, named one of Fast Company’s most innovative sports businesses.

•⁠⁠Chief Marketing Officer at Defected Records: Led a digital revolution for the house music label, including creating global online events like the Defected Virtual Festival, which went viral during the pandemic.

•⁠⁠Founder of ICONIC: Advised brands on how to navigate cultural shifts, launching ICONIC Magazine and the ‘Cultural Temperature Check’ to provide immediate insights on emerging trends.

•⁠⁠Chief Business Officer at Cleats Club: Partnered with Harry Kane to launch a safe, authentic space for fans, addressing the growing toxicity in social media.

•⁠Global Keynote Speaker & Media Contributor: Featured at major events like Cannes Lions, SXSW, and Web Summit. Regularly appears on TV and podcasts, providing expert commentary on issues shaping tech, culture, and commerce.