Matthias Messmer

Brainstormer, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Idea generator

Matthias Messmer is a stage and event director, speaker coach, and keynote advisor, trained in directing at the Hochschule für Schauspielkunst “Ernst Busch” in Berlin. He helps experts, leaders, and entrepreneurs turn complex ideas into clear, compelling talks—then deliver them with presence, authenticity, and impact. With his creative team get messmerized, he designed and directed conferences and tailor-made corporate shows, bridging dramaturgy, storytelling, and modern business communication. His work supported organizations from mid-sized companies to global brands, including Deutsche Bahn, Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, Telekom, Samsung, Philips, Unilever, Würth, and the German Speakers Association. As Associate Artistic Director of BLUE MAN GROUP, Matthias was responsible for casting and training the Blue Men and played a key role in establishing the production in Germany. He also developed and directed the brand’s live appearances, TV features, and video productions in Germany and Austria—experience that strongly shapes his coaching for camera, stage, and large audiences. Beyond corporate stages, he has directed drama and musical productions at theatres across Germany. Internationally, he has led workshops for actors and directors, including at the Children’s Theatre Festival in Istanbul. He also taught acting at the Universität der Künste Berlin and served as Artistic Director of the Joop van den Ende Academy in Hamburg (Stage Entertainment’s musical theatre school). Today, Matthias combines artistic precision with practical business outcomes: sharper messages, stronger structure, and confident delivery—so speakers don’t just inform, they move people. Matthias Messmer Director & Speaker Coach

As a director, I am passionate about encouraging people to get their message across and perform compellingly on stage. A speaker friend of mine said that I have a gift for making others shine. However, Sabine Asgodom, one of the most important speakers here in Germany, disagreed and said that I myself should get on stage and shine. We'll see...

I always tell my speakers: As an expert and speaker, you shouldn't focus exclusively on your content. Focus first on your audience: who is sitting there in the audience? And what do these people bring to your speech? And what journey do you want to take these people on? If you always keep your audience in mind during preparation and on stage, then you're not speaking to an audience, but with your audience.

I saw my first live TED Talk a few years ago in Berlin and was fascinated! There were some truly inspiring speakers in the large hall of the Berlin Philharmonic. It was a great event. Since I knew the organizers, I also attended the after-show party and was very happy to meet some of the speakers in person. Later, the organizer asked me if I could coach and prepare speakers for TED Talks. However, I then moved to Hamburg and it didn't work out. Now I hope that we can organize a TEDx talk here.

Playing guitar, jazz, rock, and funk