Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

€2 a Month €5 a Month One-off amount
Paul Faith/PA Wire
Exclusive List

In pictures: Who joins Bertie on 'exclusive speakers' list?

Check out some of the familiar faces commanding thousands of dollars in speaking fees with the Washington Speakers Bureau.
1.30pm, 27 Mar 2012
5.1k
20

AS FORMER TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s resignation from Fianna Fáil was being accepted by the party yesterday, Bertie Ahern was out of the country at a speaking engagement in Nigeria.

He delivered the keynote speech at a conference in south-western Nigeria called ‘Ogun State: Open for Business’.

Ahern is an exclusive speaker with the Washington Speakers Bureau and reportedly commands fees of over €30,000 per speaking engagement. The fee charged depends on location, and the WSB’s site notes that Ahern will travel from Ireland for his engagements.

Although other exclusive speakers with the WSB carry customer testimonials, none have been posted to Ahern’s page. His speeches include “Prime Minister as CEO” and “Leadership in Changing Times: What it Takes to Succeed”.

We’ve been taking a look through the organisation’s list of exclusive speakers – you might recognise some of them:

In pictures: Who joins Bertie on 'exclusive speakers' list?
1 / 10

  • Tony Blair

    Former British PM Tony Blair "offers an unparalleled analysis of the world's most difficult and complex issues" in his presentations. Unfortunately there are no customer testimonials on the site, so we're not sure how well his analysis has gone down. He is listed among the bureau's highest-paid speakers, though. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon/PA Images)

  • Arianna Huffington

    Huffington is described by the WSB as a "key figure in the current communications revolution", while a customer testimonial from the Speciality Coffee Association of America said she was "fabulous and inspiring". Fee grade #6: $40,000 and up. (The Canadian Press Images/Mario Beauregard/PA File)

  • Sarah Palin

    Sarah Palin's areas for public speaking are "the central issues of the 2012 election" as well as her vision for national security and fiscal responsibility. Teen Challenge International said that "she stole our hearts" in her address to the Montana Women's Outreach. (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite/PA Images)

  • John Major

    Former PM John Major offers WSB clients a 'look around the world' on issues ranging from politics to deplomacy, "with his trademark wit". Fee grade #6: $40,000 and up. (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

  • Michelle Kwan

    Former Olympic and world champion figure skater Michelle Kwan's keynote address focuses on "aspiring to greatness". "Don't be afraid to fail, because that only makes you afraid to try," she is quoted by the WSB. Fee grade #4: $15,001-$25,000. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E/PA Images)

  • Alan Greenspan

    Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan will take on a question-and-answers session to discuss economic issues. His topics include emerging markets, fiscal policy and government regulation. (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite/PA Images)

  • Rumsfeld, Rice and Powell

    Former defence serectary Donald Rumsfeld, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, and former secretary of state Colin Powell are all available as keynote speakers through WSB. Their speeches focus on a number of issues including the state of the world (Rumsfeld), empowering women (Rice) and diplomacy (Powell). Fee grades: Rumsfeld is at #6 ($40,000 and up). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci/PA Images)

  • David Blaine

    The bureau promises that magician and 'endurance artist' David Blaine will "take your audience on a journey into his world of majic that will leave them believing they have the power to achieve the impossible". Fee grade #6: $40,000 and up. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig/PA Images)

  • Sugar Ray Leonard

    Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard's 'power to win' keynote address has been described as both motivational and captivating by those who have employed his speaking services. Fee grade #5: $25,001-$40,000. (AP Photo/John Carucci/PA Images)

  • George W Bush - and family

    Four members of the former president's family are exclusive speakers with WSB - George W Bush, his wife Laura, their daughter Barbara (front centre in this photo), and the ex-president's brother Jeb Bush. George W Bush's topics for presentations include patriotism and terrorism. Jeb Bush is on fee grade #5: $25,001-$40,000. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M Boan/PA Images)
  • Former British PM Tony Blair
  • Huffington is described by the WSB as a
  • Sarah Palin's areas for public speaking are
  • Former PM John Major offers WSB clients a 'look around the world' on issues ranging from politics to deplomacy,
  • Former Olympic and world champion figure skater Michelle Kwan's keynote address focuses on
  • Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan will take on a question-and-answers session to discuss economic issues. His topics include emerging markets, fiscal policy and government regulation. (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite/PA Images)
  • Former defence serectary Donald Rumsfeld, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, and former secretary of state Colin Powell are all available as keynote speakers through WSB. Their speeches focus on a number of issues including the state of the world (Rumsfeld), empowering women (Rice) and diplomacy (Powell). Fee grades: Rumsfeld is at #6 ($40,000 and up). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci/PA Images)
  • The bureau promises that magician and 'endurance artist' David Blaine will
  • Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard's 'power to win' keynote address has been described as both motivational and captivating by those who have employed his speaking services. Fee grade #5: $25,001-$40,000. (AP Photo/John Carucci/PA Images)
  • Four members of the former president's family are exclusive speakers with WSB - George W Bush, his wife Laura, their daughter Barbara (front centre in this photo), and the ex-president's brother Jeb Bush. George W Bush's topics for presentations include patriotism and terrorism. Jeb Bush is on fee grade #5: $25,001-$40,000. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M Boan/PA Images)

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal

Author
Susan Ryan
View 20 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Close
20 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds
    The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie