MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS

Murray Thom

Entrepreneur, Music Producer, World Sailing Champion & Keynote Speaker

Murray Thom CNZM left school at 15 with no qualifications and went on to become the world's youngest MD of CBS Records by 23, founder of Personalised Plates, producer of two Oprah Favorite Things, World Laser Masters Champion and one of New Zealand's most charismatic keynote speakers.

Who is Murray Thom?

Murray Thom CNZM is one of New Zealand's most successful and creative entrepreneurs. After becoming Managing Director of CBS Records New Zealand at age 23 — the youngest in the global group — he founded Personalised Plates in 1987, building it to $30 million annual turnover. He then founded Thom Music, producing the Together 10-CD Collection that became one of Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things and the Celine Dion / Anne Geddes Miracle album. He created The Great New Zealand Songbook and The Great New Zealand Cookbook, both major bestsellers, and the Offering Project for the Salvation Army. He is the 2005 World Laser Masters Champion and was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to music and entrepreneurship.

Career Highlights

  • Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to music and entrepreneurship

  • Youngest Managing Director globally at CBS Records, aged 23

  • Founder of Personalised Plates (1987) — $30m turnover, 60 staff at peak

  • Founder of Thom Music; Together and Miracle albums featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show

  • Creator of The Great New Zealand Songbook and The Great New Zealand Cookbook

  • 100 consecutive weeks on the NZ Bestsellers List, 10 weeks at #1 with the Cookbook

  • 2005 World Laser Masters Champion; Yachting NZ Award of Merit

  • Bestselling author of Eat, Drink & Be Murray

  • Named NZ Business magazine's Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Decade

Key Speaking Themes

  • Entrepreneurship, ideas and turning small opportunities into real businesses

  • Persistence, self-belief and "having a go"

  • Creativity, branding and the art of a great product

  • Sales, marketing and winning new business

  • Backing yourself when you have no qualifications, no roadmap and no Plan B

What Your Audience Will Gain

Murray is famously described as the "energy drink of speakers" — high-octane, funny, generous and contagiously optimistic. Audiences leave wanting to live a bigger life, with a clearer sense of what's possible if they back themselves and a stack of memorable stories to take away.

Ideal For

  • Entrepreneur, sales and business conferences

  • Conference openings and closers

  • Awards nights and gala dinners

  • Leadership offsites and team kick-offs

  • Rotary, community and industry events

Frequently Asked Questions about Murray Thom

What does Murray Thom speak about? Entrepreneurship, creativity, sales, persistence, branding and his unlikely journey from leaving school at 15 to global success.

Where is Murray Thom based? Murray is based in Auckland and travels nationally and internationally for engagements.

What is Murray Thom best known for? The Great New Zealand Songbook, The Great New Zealand Cookbook and producing two Oprah Favorite Things — Together and Miracle.

Is Murray Thom suitable for corporate audiences? Yes. Murray is one of NZ's most in-demand conference speakers across sales, leadership and entrepreneurial themes.

Has Murray Thom written a book? Yes — his bestselling memoir Eat, Drink & Be Murray, released in 2019.

Is Murray Thom available for after-dinner events? Yes. Murray is a popular after-dinner, awards and conference speaker with a relaxed, entertaining style.