John G. Rives (who performs simply as Rives -- rhymes with 'weaves') design… Read Full Bio ↴John G. Rives (who performs simply as Rives -- rhymes with 'weaves') designs interactive narratives for grown-ups. Part poet, part storyteller, Rives offers audiences uniquely intelligent and creative entertainment—too impossible to categorize for a print medium like this bio, in fact. Thus, for Rives more than for most speakers, we recommend viewing the video clips on our website.

He’s extraordinarily deft with words, extremely clever, creative, and intellectually alive. His work bursts in multiple directions, makes surprising connections, and leaves you gasping and laughing. . .

He’s funny.

For his avid use of technology, he’s been called "the first 2.0 poet," incorporating images, video, and text—often of audience members or the venue itself—with tremendous ease and effect.

Rives is known for memorizing snippets of the preceding speakers’ presentations and incorporating them into his own performance, to startling and often comedic effect. This ability, combined with his extraordinary stage presence, make him a very effective moderator and Master of Ceremonies.

Though he is a very dynamic and spontaneous performer capable of brilliant improvisation, with an easy, relaxed presence on stage, only the most impeccable preparation could make his fast and exquisitely timed delivery work. "Jaw-dropping skills," as one ovation puts it. He enjoys and encourages audience participation.

Rives is a regular at the annual TED Conference, which brings together people from the worlds of Technology, Entertainment and Design, where he earns standing ovations.

He’s appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on the last four seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.

He was the 2004 National Poetry Slam champion.

Rives’s clients include Hewlett-Packard, Hallmark, Wieden+Kennedy, Business Objects, Northwestern University, House of Blues.

Credentials

* Developed and teaches a course on blogging and social networks at the International Center of Photography, New York.
* Blogs at http://www.shopliftwindchimes.com/
* Political commentator for McClatchy News website.
* Paper engineer and author of pop-up books.
* Holds U.S. patent for paper engineering.

Books (pop-up books for children)

If I Were A Polar Bear (wrote, illustrated and paper engineered)

The Christmas Box (invented and engineered)

Ovations

"Rives was one of the real stars of the 2006 TED Conference. On the last day, he performed a spoken word piece that incorporated all of the most memorable lines from the presentations that had come before. I was blown away!"

MM~ Al Gore

"I never get tired of listening to this man. I was blown away by his performances at the end of both TED 2006 and TED 2007 where he managed to tie together many of the key phases and ideas presented during the conference in one beautifully crafted three-minute verbal thrill ride. Amazing. Almost more impressive were the freestyles on the beach. Jaw-dropping skills."

MM~ TED website

"What a fabulous day! In a star-studded line-up, I think you were the favorite. You are certainly the one that people keep talking about, and there's a lot more graffiti in the breakroom now because of you!"

MM~ Director of planning for an major ad agency

"I'm going to invent a reason to bring you back if I have to!"

MM~ Event planner, Fortune 500 company