Guest Bio:

Tom Farley is marketing and communications consultant. He was also the President of The Chris Farley Foundation, named for his younger brother the late actor and comedian who died in 1997 as a result of substance abuse. In 2008 he co-authored the New York Times bestselling book, The Chris Farley Show, a Biography in Three Acts (Viking Press), which received national media attention and wide critical acclaim.

Tom Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He spent over sixteen years as a marketing and communications executive in the New York City area, working on global brand initiatives for companies such as Citibank, KPMG, and Ernst & Young.

In 1999 Tom Farley used his brand development and communications skills to create The Chris Farley Foundation. He established the use of humor and other innovative communication methods as a means to deliver messages to kids, teens, and young adults on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. His first project for the Foundation was the launch of their website, and the production of two nationally run, award winning commercials that featured the cast of Saturday Night Live. From there, Tom Farley began work developing the unique, humor-based communications program that leverages the foundation’s proven ability to attract and retain the attention of youth audiences. The foundation’s core program was Improv-based workshops designed to develop better communications skills, and to help youth audiences create “peer-enhanced” environments, rather than peer-pressured ones.

An entertaining and engaging public speaker, Tom Farley is frequently asked to provide his knowledge and experience on building successful brands and assisting non-profit organizations develop more effective messaging and fundraising efforts. He is also known for his advocacy and work in the field of treatment and recovery.

He has been featured in People Magazine and USA Today, and interviewed on Today, Good Morning America, The View, Fox News, Larry King Live, and featured in two CNN special reports on substance abuse. Tom Farley has received a number of awards for his prevention work, including the President’s Award at the 2006 PRISM Awards (the entertainment industry’s recognition for realistic depictions of substance abuse), and the South Carolina DEA’s Award of Honor. Today, Tom lives in his home state of Wisconsin.