Turner Voted 2013 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year: 3-Time Winner!
Joe M. Turner Voted Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year 2013 by Industry Peers Popular Corporate Speaker, Entertainer is 3-Time Winner PRLog (Press Release) – Jan. 24, 2014 – ATLANTA — Atlanta speaker, mentalist, and magician Joe M. Turner has been named 2013 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year by the combined memberships of the Atlanta chapters of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 9) and the Society of American Magicians (Assembly 30). The award, announced at the groups’ combined awards banquet on January 18, marks the third time Turner has been voted the honor by his industry peers. Turner currently serves as International Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has served twice as president of his local chapter. He is also a member of the Society of American Magicians, the Magic Circle (London, England), the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle (Hollywood, CA), and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, as well as the National Speakers Association and several other business and marketing associations. He has won numerous other awards, including Atlanta’s top performance awards in both close-up magic and stage magic. He was named “Best of Atlanta” for Corporate Entertainment in 2012 and 2013. Turner is a popular keynote speaker who uses magic and mentalism to share marketing, branding, and motivational messages at meetings and conferences worldwide. His book High JOEltage! encapsulates some of his work on being a high-performing individual. His signature keynote, “5 Kinds of Amazing,” uses magic to illustrate how brands can create amazing experiences for their audiences. He is in high demand as an entertainer, appearing regularly at the Magic Castle, on Crystal Cruises, and at hundreds of corporate events each year both across America and internationally. The Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year award has been presented annually since 1971 to recognize performance excellence, organizational service, artistic contribution, and charitable activities. The honor is symbolized by the Duke Stern Memorial Trophy, named after a popular vaudeville magician who eventually settled in Atlanta. The trophy, engraved with the names of all prior winners, is held by the current honoree for a year and is then passed to the next winner. Visit Joe M. Turner on Facebook at facebook.com/turnermagic, or on Twitter at @turnermagic
Five Kinds of Amazing, Part 5: Hypersight and Vision
Five Kinds of Amazing, Part 5: Hypersight The fifth of the Five Kinds of Amazing relates to another branch of mentalism effects which I’ll group under the umbrella term “hypersight.” This category is distinct from the prior one in that while it includes apparent psychic abilities, this specific type of inexplicable knowledge is not derived from mind-to-mind telepathy, but rather from apparent knowledge at a distance without a direct telepathic connection to another mind. What kinds of effects or experiences might be included in this genre? In my own performances, I sometimes call out the serial number of a bank note volunteered from someone’s wallet or purse. This is information that wouldn’t exist in anyone’s mind, waiting to be telepathically read. The information simply exists in the environment and must be sensed through some kind of unusual remote vision. Likewise, a performer who can somehow tell you what items are in your purse, briefcase, or glove compartment would be demonstrating this kind of effect. Examples outside show business might include the “psychic detective” who somehow knows where the body is buried or where some other lost item can be recovered. (I don’t personally believe in the real-world validity of such examples, but they are common enough stories in the popular culture that they serve as a clarifying example.) There are even tales of Cold War experiments in which the concept of remote viewing was explored for the purposes of espionage. I also include in this category any apparent knowledge at a temporal distance – that is, the apparent ability to see into the future. As an example, I have frequently predicted (in the theatrical sense) local newspaper headlines or sports scores that would be reported on the day of my performances. Outside show business, figures such as Sylvia Browne, Jeane Dixon, Uri Geller, doomsday cult leaders and others have taken the prediction game to an extreme, leaving the theatrical framework aside to attempt to convince gullible or heartsick people that they really could see into the future. As a result, these and thousands if not millions of other unethical individuals have made livings and sometimes fortunes by monetizing the misplaced hope of others. It goes without saying that any skill – theatrical, technological, or otherwise – can be used for purposes either good or ill. The underlying concept of precognition or second sight, though, is a truly compelling theatrical idea. It is a startling and amazing thing to think that someone could know in advance the outcome of a crisis, challenge, contest, or any other question or endeavor. So what business competency can we develop that gives our audience this kind of experience, in a positive, inspirational, and ethical way? Vision To answer that, I go back to management consultant Peter F. Drucker’s well-known turn of phrase, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” While perhaps a bit clichéd now, this is an empowering and illuminating idea in several ways, all of which revolve around the concept of vision. First, the direction to create the future assumes a fundamental ability to create. Creativity is an invaluable asset and, while some may demonstrate it in higher degree than others, everyone has the ability to increase and improve their creative output. Once a new product, service, technique, or idea becomes accepted and embedded in the environment, the person, group, or brand that put it there will retroactively be credited with uncanny vision of the future. Second, creating the future assumes a clear goal. Does your brand define clear goals and make it clear that they have been achieved? The pattern of declaration, achievement, and celebration is convincing evidence that there is an evolving but clearly intentional vision for the future of the brand and its relationship to its audience. Third, creating the future hinges on the ability of a leader to inspire action. Whether dealing with a large organization, a small team, or even oneself, the most innovative creativity and the clearest vision are of no use until action is taken. Vision, as a corresponding competency to hypersight, relates to the ability to identify, anticipate, and create trends by innovation and thought leadership. Creativity, clarity, and leadership are the tools that allow you to amaze your audience in this mode.
Five Kinds of Amazing, Part 4: Contact
Five Kinds of Amazing, Part 4: Contact We all want our audiences to perceive our brands as “amazing,” and the “Five Kinds of Amazing” model provides a way to organize our approaches for making amazing experiences happen. In reviewing the first three elements, the magic metaphors all relate to primarily visual experiences. – Talent/Expertise: relating to open and frequent knowledge sharing – Science/Process: relating to embedding unexpected positive experiences in standard processes – Mystery/Empowerment: relating to the overt contradiction of an established process In this article and the next, we are going to shift gears a bit. In the final two categories, we’ll be referring to effects within a particular branch of illusion arts known as “mentalism.” I’ve written about mentalism before, and you may find it helpful in understanding the metaphor by reviewing that article. To summarize, though, mentalism is a branch of the illusion arts that deals with experiences that are more psychological than visual. Instead of more traditional conjuring effects such as objects appearing, floating, changing colors, or being destroyed and restored, mentalism relates to experiences of supposed ESP, mind-reading, mental influence, ability to affect the physical world through the power of the mind, and predictions of future events. Some mentalism effects or experiences relate to the concept of mind-reading. The “Contact” category corresponds to this kind of illusion, in which one person seems to be able to communicate with another person solely through mental power. The apparent ability to read minds or to influence people mentally is a powerful theatrical experience. Classic performers like Alexander and Dunninger and more modern figures like the Evasons and Max Maven have created sensations with their ability to seemingly get inside the minds of other people. Communication In business, contact equals communication. The key factor here is that there are two minds involved – someone is sending the message, and someone is receiving and, more importantly, responding to it. If someone could really read your mind – and let’s say that they can only read it to the extent that you permit them to read it – how do you think you’d feel? Let’s leave aside the possible negative aspects for a moment and just think about some of the other implications. You might feel as if there were a direct and unfiltered connection, and that the communication was practically instantaneous. Depending on how they handled that information, you might develop a deep trust. You’d certainly feel that you had their undivided attention if they were peering directly into your mind. If you want your audience to feel like you’ve made the best possible connection with them – that is, an amazing connection, then it’s up to you to make sure you communicate with them in similar ways: Regularly So that there’s an expectation that you’ll be in touch consistently. Quickly So that there’s an immediacy in the engagement. Honestly So that there’s an establishment of trust. Attentively So that there’s a clear prioritization of that communication. The faster you respond, the more amazing they’ll find that interaction. The more you share honest, useful, information with them, the more amazing they’ll find your brand. The more attentive you are to them in the moments when they are reaching out, the more amazing the story they’ll tell their own audiences. Next time, we’ll wrap up the five kinds of amazing with a look at another type of mentalism experience and how it relates to your brand’s audience!
Entrepreneurship and Magic Radio Interview
I recently sat down with Roger & Stacy Vaughn as their guest for their business radio show, “Veterans with a View” on The Better You Network. Enjoy this conversation about entrepreneurship, business, and making a career out of an unusual passion! Click here to visit the show page and listen!
Atlanta Magician, Scandinavian Cruise!
Atlanta Magician Turner to Perform on Crystal Cruise Through Scandinavia Atlanta’s most-recommended magician, mentalist, and motivational speaker is headed to Scandinavia! Joe M. Turner joins the Crystal Serenity to entertain travelers during Crystal Cruises “Northern Europe Getaway” in June 2013. Crystal Cruises is the world’s top luxury cruise line, and Joe is part of a select new team that has been assembled to provide world-class magical entertainment aboard all Crystal Cruises. This cruise is the Northern Europe Getaway. It features cool cafés, welcoming parks, contemporary design, and old-world hospitality as travelers experience the wonders of Scandinavia. The Crystal Serenity departs from Dover on June 8 and arrives in Copenhagen on June 15. Ports include: Dover, England Zeebrugge, Belgium Amsterdam, Netherlands Oslo, Norway Helsingborg, Sweden Copenhagen, Denmark “Magic Castle at Sea” is an entertainment program devised by noted magician and producer Rich Bloch in partnership with Crystal Cruises and the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Crystal Cruises all over the world now feature talent from the world-famous Magic Castle as entertainment for their guests. Turner expressed pleasure and excitement at being invited to join the team. “This program features world-class entertainers in a world-class luxury setting. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my magic with great people all over the world.” Turner also mentioned the impact on his family, saying “This cruise is going to be extra special because my daughter is joining me for the trip – we’re going to make a lot of memories on this ‘Daddy/Daughter’ adventure!” Turner is already confirmed to perform on three additional cruises in 2014. Turner notes that he’ll be posting photos and updates on his Twitter, Facebook, and blog feeds.
