The Storytelling Symposium Library

WHAT

Define your Expertise

Learn how to break down and structure your content with storymarketing and data storytelling experts, screen writers  and art directors.

Picture: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris ©Peccadille — Travail personnel, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia=125704687

WHAT

Define your Expertise

Keynote

Petra Sammer

Sessions

Dr. Stephen Wagner
Karin Kiesl
Franziska Fuchs
Katrien Stevens

Panel

  • "There are two ways to share knowledge: You can push information out. You can pull them in with a story."

    Robert McKee

  • “There are two things every storyteller is concerned about: how to develop a good story and how to tell it. Frank Daniel, the first dean of the American Film Institute, said: ‘It’s simple – it’s telling exciting stories about exciting people in an exciting form.’“

    Franziska Fuchs, Screenwriter

Keynote Lecture

The Art of Emotional Storytelling in Business

Petra Sammer

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • Storyteller and creative, PR- and marketing consultant, speaker and book author.

    Clients and business friends benefit from her 25 years of experience in PR and marketing as Managing Director and Chief Creative Director of Ketchum. one of the largest communication agencies in the world.

    They benefit from her expertise as a creative who has one creative awards and was juror in numerous award shows (including Cannes Lions, D&ADs, Clio ...).

    They benefit from her experience as a TEDx Speaker and book author.

    pssst... since 2018 she runs her own business. And she help clients and friends to find and tell theyr own story. So she is always looking for good ones. What’s yours?

    Homepage: https://www.petrasammer.com/

Petra Sammer — Part 1

Petra Sammer — Part 2

Resources

  • Petras Story Library

    You can find lots of resources here, including a commented storytelling literature list.

    View

Session 1

The Science Pitch. Present your Research. Get your Power to the Point.

Dr. Stephen Wagner

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • How can scientists and experts present their projects with power to the point? The Science Pitch is your ultimate guide for transforming complex research into captivating, convincing Science Pitches in a given time. The innovative ESPRIT model equips scientists with tools to blend professional expertise with personal passion, ensuring every presentation resonates deeply with its target audience.

    In this session, we will unlock your project’s potential and wrap your expertise and passion in a unique Science Pitch delivered through passionate storytelling. It will provide essential insights for convincing short talks, successful networking, and securing funding approval for your research and business projects.

  • Dr. Stephen Wagner has been working as a science trainer and presentation coach with a focus on Science Pitch, science presentations, and online communication in Germany and internationally since 2015. He is a certified online trainer, a member of the Professional Association for Training, Consulting and Coaching (BDVT), and a member and ambassador of the Virtual Speakers Association International (VSAI). Stephen used to work as a Professional Researcher and Lecturer in Geography and Soil Science.

Dr. Stephen Wagner — Part 1

Dr. Stephen Wagner — Part 2

Resources

  • Slides

    Dr. Stephen Wagner | The Science Pitch: Present with Personality and Passion, and get your Power to the Point.

    View

Session 2

Transform Data into Stories that captivate

Karin Kiesl

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • Data on its own is just numbers — but in the hands of a skilled storyteller, it becomes a powerful tool of persuasion. In this session, you’ll discover how to transform raw data into compelling narratives that not only inform but also inspire action. Learn how to craft persuasive, data-backed stories, choose the perfect visuals to bring them to life, and supercharge your storytelling process using AI.

    Don’t miss the chance to unlock the secrets of creating unforgettable stories that turn insights into impact!

  • Turning good ideas into successful brands and products is Karin's passion. Creativity combined with the right amount of pragmatism and implementation strength make her approach to projects so successful. As a brand and innovation expert with many years of know-how, she combines a high level of strategic expertise with a holistic view of brand and product innovation. Her creativity and knowledge of human nature also flow into storytelling, which is a special feature of Facts and Stories' offering.


    Facts and Stories

    After completing her studies in sociology, economics, market and advertising psychology in Munich, Madrid and Mexico City, Karin started her career in digital companies such as Microsoft and AOL before switching to strategic consulting. From 2007 to 2015, she worked as a manager in strategic marketing at Beiersdorf. Her responsibilities included helping to shape the relevant category and communication strategies, innovation and product development, managing brand profitability and business development. In 2015, she founded a strategic marketing and innovation consultancy under the name “Facts and Stories”.

Karin Kiesl — Part 1

Karin Kiesl — Part 2

Resources

Session 3

Structure your Content like a Screenwriter

Franziska Fuchs

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • There are two things every storyteller is concerned about: how to develop a good story and how to tell it.

    Frank Daniel, the first dean of the American Film Institute, said: "It’s simple – it’s telling exciting stories about exciting people in an exciting form.“

    During this themed session, I explain how to create and structure captivating content and stories, and I share my biggest gamechanger with you – the formula for good storytelling.

    After 20 years of storytelling for television series I know exactly what makes a good story. And most important, what does NOT work – and WHY.

    You learn best from your mistakes. I made them already. Come to my session, and you don’t have to repeat them.

    Ask me anything about screenwriting and storytelling, and hear about some hacks and tricks that I learned along the way while writing daily TV drama for the past 20 years.

  • Story Trainer | Expert on storytelling for daily TV series | Helping content creators and business owners crafting stories, that stick

    Franziska Fuchs is an experienced script writer, headwriter, editor, concept creator and trainer. Her zone of genius is the soap opera. She has been writing daily TV series for almost 20 years and knows how to reach out to an audience of millions. After being head writer of the TV series Verbotene Liebe/Forbidden Love, together with her team she is now responsible for the stories of Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, Germany‘s most successful daily TV series. Franziska trains writers, is a consultant and script coach and shares her storytelling knowledge with authors and business owners.

    Be brave. Be authentic. Tell a story, people can relate to. 

Franziska Fuchs — Part 1

Franziska Fuchs — Part 2

Session 4

Brake the Mold — Presentations that pop out

Katrien Stevens

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • 1. Kick off

    Quick discussion: What was the most engaging presentation you have seen and why?

    2. Make rules, break rules

    Dos and Don’ts

    Poorly designed slides (text-heavy, complex)

    3. Story structure

    Beginning, middle, end

    Good examples

    4. Choose your visual hierarchy

    Guide to structure slides (headline, supporting visuals, minimal text)

    5. Visuals vs. data dump

    How to turn raw data into visuals (graphs, diagrams)

    6. Q&A and wrap-up

  • Katrien Stevens is a designer known for her work under the brand >Karavan Design<. She has extensive experience as an art director and creator, with over 20 years of professional experience across seven countries. Stevens is multilingual and has a broad perspective on design, influenced by her international experience. Her work in design spans various projects, emphasizing bold visual identities and creativity.

Katrien Stevens — Part 1

Katrien Stevens — Part 2

Resources

Panel

WHAT — Define your Expertise

Session Recording

We are still working on this video - coming soon.

Literature & Sources

Recommendations of our Experts

WHAT — Define your Expertise

  • Petra Sammer, Storytelling. Strategien und Best Practices für PR und Marketing, O’Reilly.

    Dean Movshovitz, Pixar Storytelling. Rules for effective Storytelling based on Pixar’s greatest Films.

    Park Howell, The Brand Bewitchery. How to wield the Story Circle System to craft spellbinding Stories for your Brand, Happy H Press Phoenix.

    Books on Data Storytelling

    https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/book/downloads

    Kevin Duncan, Das Buch der Diagramme. 50 Wege, um jedes Problem visuell zu lösen, Midas Smart Guides.

    Nancy Duarte, Data Story. Engage and inspire with Data Storytelling. Transform Data in to persuasive Narratives that drive Action.
    https://www.duarte.com/resources/books/datastory/

  • Kevin Duncan, Das Buch der Diagramme. 50 Wege, um jedes Problem visuell zu lösen, Midas Smart Guides.

    Nancy Duarte, Data Story. Engage and inspire with Data Storytelling. Transform Data in to persuasive Narratives that drive Action.
    https://www.duarte.com/resources/books/datastory/

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