What happens when some of the world’s sharpest satirical minds get together to talk democracy, tech, comedy and power? Delightfully crass comedy.

In this special session from The Business of Comedy Conference, moderator Dan Ilic (A Rational Fear) leads a hilarious and thought-provoking conversation on why satire matters now more than ever. Joining him on stage are Scott Dikkers, founding editor of The Onion; John Delmenico from The Chaser; and Andrew J. Nash, former HBO Silicon Valley technical advisor and tech entrepreneur.

Scott Dikkers delivers an unforgettable keynote covering the history of satire, from Aristophanes and Jonathan Swift to Monty Python, The Simpsons and The Onion. He shares outrageous behind-the-scenes stories about trolling politicians, getting cease and desist letters from the White House, creating fake Trump government departments and why satire remains one of society’s most powerful coping mechanisms during dark political times.

The panel then dives deep into the modern collision between comedy, politics and technology. They discuss the rise of authoritarianism and attacks on comedians, Elon Musk and the “tech bro” takeover, why satire often scares politicians more than serious journalism, and the changing state of Australian comedy. The conversation also explores social media outrage, censorship, online harassment and why TV networks have become increasingly reluctant to take risks on political satire.

Andrew J. Nash shares fascinating stories from behind the scenes of Silicon Valley, including which real tech billionaires inspired the show’s characters and why the series often felt more like a documentary than a comedy. John Delmenico reflects on The Chaser’s long-running battles with politicians, broadcasters and online outrage mobs, while Dan Ilic discusses the challenge of creating independent satirical media in Australia today.

The result is funny, insightful, occasionally outrageous and surprisingly emotional. More than anything, it is a masterclass in the role comedy plays in keeping democracy healthy.

Featuring Dan Ilic, Scott Dikkers (The Onion), John Delmenico (The Chaser) and Andrew J. Nash (Silicon Valley).

Learn more about The Business of Comedy Conference by visiting www.businessofcomedy.com.

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Australia’s stand-up comedy industry is struggling. Touring costs have soared since COVID, making it nearly impossible for many comedians, established or emerging, to take shows on the road. Agencies report only a small portion of their rosters touring, and the impact is hitting everyone: tech crews, publicists, regional venues, and local comedy rooms. Meanwhile, international acts dominate major stages, leaving Australia’s comedic identity under pressure. A cultural levy on large scale entertainment, similar to models used in parts of Europe, could help fund local touring, but national policy support remains absent.

This sets the stage for our panel discussion, ‘Is Our Ticketing System Broken?’. In this session we explore how rising fees, limited ticketing competition, and opaque pricing structures affect comedians, venues, and audiences. With costs rising and affordability shrinking, is the current system serving anyone outside the biggest players? This panel examines what a fairer, more transparent, artist focused ticketing model could look like.

Panelists and Moderator

Adam McCurdie is a social entrepreneur reshaping the global events industry as co founder of Humanitix, the world’s first not for profit ticketing platform. Driven by a desire to improve ticketing for organisers, audiences and artists alike, Adam set out to challenge a traditionally profit driven model and turn it into a force for good. Humanitix reinvests 100% of booking fee profits into high impact education and community programs. Under Adam’s leadership, the platform has scaled internationally, championed accessibility, and redirected millions of dollars to charities, while helping artists keep more revenue and build fairer, more sustainable careers through better ticketing.

Linda Scott is a seasoned commercial leader and storyteller with over 20 years’ experience in sales and marketing across APAC. As Commercial Director for Eventbrite APAC, Linda leads the region’s commercial strategy, empowering event organisers, venues and creators with the tools and insights to grow their audiences and revenue. With four years in the ticketing and live events space, she brings a strong understanding of audience behaviour, market trends and the business mechanics behind successful live experiences.

Greg Curcio is an expert in helping industries and organisations get ready for their transformation. As founder and Chief Transformation Officer at Future Ready Now, Greg is highly capable in strategic transformations and facilitating exceptional outcomes to drive meaningful change. Greg recently graduated from the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School which has helped his own professional development and the importance of failing, getting up and trying again.

Learn more about The Business of Comedy Conference by visiting www.businessofcomedy.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kicked off the Business of Comedy Conference with an energising and insight-packed keynote that dove into one of the most underestimated forces in today’s marketplace: the Laughter Economy. From packed comedy festivals to brand-backed humour campaigns, comedic content is shaping buying decisions, audience engagement, and cultural momentum.

In this keynote, we unpacked why humour isn’t just entertainment, it’s a strategic asset. Listen to the audio recording to discover how comedy drives consumer behaviour, creates memorable connections, and adds measurable value across industries. You’ll hear data-backed insights, real-world case studies, and forward-looking trends that prove: laughter pays.

Panelists and Moderator

Nina Taylor MP is a passionate advocate for creativity, community, and cultural industries. As the Victorian Labor Member for Albert Park, she has a strong track record of supporting artists, performers, and small businesses that contribute to Melbourne’s vibrant cultural economy. With experience across government, communications, and policy, Nina brings a practical understanding of how public policy can support sustainable creative careers. At the Business of Comedy Conference, she will share insights into the intersection of comedy, culture, and government, and the role of the arts in building inclusive, thriving cities.

Dr Mark Gibson is Professor of Media at RMIT and a researcher on the Australian Research Council funded project ‘Comedy Country – Australian Performance Comedy as an Agent of Change’ with partners including Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe and the National Film and Sound Archive. He is an expert on the cultural and creative industries and co-author of Fringe to Famous – Cultural Production in Australia After the Creative Industries (Bloomsbury, 2024).

Wilbur Wilde has been cracking up Australian audiences since the ’70s, armed with a sax, razor sharp timing, and a lovable larrikin streak. From Ol’55 to Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, he built serious musical cred, but it’s his comedy chops that made him a household name. As a Hey Hey It’s Saturday favourite for 17 years, Wilbur turned every appearance into controlled chaos, mixing killer sax riffs with cheeky humour and spontaneous antics.

Dr Louise Mahler is an internationally recognised communication expert, former opera singer, and Top 30 Global Guru in both Communication and Body Language. She is renowned for transforming audiences with her theatrical flair, razor-sharp insights, and laugh-out-loud delivery. Louise’s work draws on a PhD in leadership communication, deep expertise in performance psychology, and years performing on Europe’s greatest stages — all distilled into a fast-paced, high-energy experience that blends humour with actionable takeaways.

Learn more about The Business of Comedy Conference by visiting www.businessofcomedy.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.