David Coulthard
13-Time Formula One Grand Prix Winner | MBE | Co-Founder, Whisper Films | Channel 4 F1 Pundit | Author, The Winning Formula
Scooter Braun
Founder of SB Projects & Ithaca Holdings | Former CEO, HYBE America | Music Industry Visionary & Grammy-Nominated Producer
Scooter Braun built the modern music industry's most storied empire — discovering Justin Bieber, launching Ariana Grande, and scaling SB Projects into a global entertainment force before leading HYBE America. Now, he shares what it takes to build at scale, lead with conviction, and think ten times bigger than the room expects.
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Scooter Braun biography
Keynote speaker Scooter Braun is one of the most consequential figures in modern music and entertainment. The founder of SB Projects and Ithaca Holdings, he built a diversified empire spanning artist management, record labels, publishing, film, television, and technology, growing it from a single talent discovery into a company acquired by South Korean giant HYBE in a deal valued at over a billion dollars. Before that, he organized after-parties on Eminem and Ludacris’s Anger Management Tour while still a student at Emory University, served as executive director of marketing at So So Def Records, and brokered a $12 million campaign between Ludacris and Pontiac, all before turning 25.
The pivot that defined his career came in 2008, when Braun clicked on a YouTube video of a 13-year-old Justin Bieber singing covers. He spent months convincing Bieber’s mother to bring him to Atlanta and, within a year, had co-signed him with Usher. That instinct, to see talent before anyone else and act with total conviction, became the pattern of his career. He went on to develop Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, The Kid LAROI, Dan + Shay, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Martin Garrix, breaking more new artists than any executive of his generation. In 2013, TIME named him to its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Building at Scale: Ithaca, HYBE, and Beyond
In 2019, Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group. In 2021, HYBE, the company behind BTS, acquired all of Ithaca, bringing Braun in as co-CEO and later sole CEO of HYBE America, where he led the $300 million acquisition of Quality Control Music and a landmark distribution deal with Universal Music Group. He stepped down as CEO in 2025 and departed HYBE’s board of directors in 2026 to pursue a new venture, while remaining one of the company’s largest individual shareholders. His philanthropy is equally notable: he organized the “One Love Manchester” benefit concert, worked with the founders of March for Our Lives, and chairs the advisory board of Pencils of Promise.
As an entertainment speaker, Scooter Braun delivers a masterclass on identifying transformative talent, scaling a business beyond conventional limits, and leading through adversity and public scrutiny. His “10x Mindset” framework gives executives, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders a replicable model for thinking at a scale most never consider. As a speaker, Scooter Braun brings the same directness that built his career: no filler, no clichés, and a hard-won perspective on what it actually takes to build something that endures.
Scooter Braun Speaking Videos
The Life of an Entertainment Power Player | Scooter Braun | Talks at Google
How Scooter Braun Discovers Talent | Fast Company
Scooter Braun Keynote Topics
Scooter Braun built his career on one foundational conviction: that the right goal is never the obvious one, and that most people — and most organizations — systematically underestimate what they could actually achieve. In this keynote, he shares the mindset framework that drove SB Projects from a single YouTube discovery to a billion-dollar enterprise, and gives audiences concrete tools for auditing their own ambitions, removing artificial ceilings, and executing at a level that surprises even themselves.
The most valuable competitive advantage in any industry is the ability to see potential that others miss — and act on it decisively. Braun spent 23 years making exactly those bets: on a 13-year-old Canadian kid, on a teenage Ariana Grande, on artists the industry had underestimated or overlooked. In this keynote, he breaks down the principles behind talent identification, the difference between potential and performance, how to build environments where exceptional people choose to stay, and what leaders at every level can learn from the discipline of developing talent before it peaks.
The entertainment industry is one of the few places where culture moves first and commerce follows. In this talk, Braun shares what two decades at that intersection have taught him about brand building, consumer trust, the dynamics of cultural relevance, and the role that authenticity plays in long-term value creation. Especially relevant for leaders in consumer brands, media, technology, and any organization trying to connect with audiences rather than just reach them.
Scooter Braun has built at the highest levels and faced scrutiny at the highest levels — from billion-dollar acquisitions to very public disputes that played out in real time. In this candid, personal keynote, he speaks about what it means to lead when everything is visible, how to make decisions under pressure without losing your values, how to recover from mistakes and criticism with your integrity and forward momentum intact, and why the willingness to be misunderstood is often the price of doing anything that matters.
FAQs on Booking Scooter Braun
Why Scooter Braun?
Booking Scooter Braun for your event means bringing the architect of the modern music industry's most influential empire to your stage. Over more than two decades, he built SB Projects from a single talent discovery into a billion-dollar enterprise, discovered and launched some of the most iconic artists of our era, and led HYBE America through its most consequential period of U.S. expansion. His keynote is not a backstage story, it is a masterclass in talent identification, entrepreneurial conviction, 10x thinking, and building organizations that create culture rather than follow it. He brings the same energy and directness to a corporate stage that built his career: no filter, no clichés, and no wasted time. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check availability and fees for your event.
How did Scooter Braun discover Justin Bieber?
In 2008, Braun accidentally clicked on a YouTube video of a 13-year-old Justin Bieber singing covers from his hometown in Canada. Recognizing an extraordinary talent, he spent months persuading Bieber's mother to bring her son to Atlanta to record demos. Braun then introduced Bieber to R&B icon Usher, and together they co-signed Bieber to RBMG Records. What followed was one of the most spectacular artist launches in music history, a trajectory that helped validate YouTube as a platform for discovering global superstars and reshaped how the entire industry approaches talent scouting in the digital age.
What was the HYBE-Ithaca Holdings deal?
In 2021, South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, the company behind BTS, acquired 100% of Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings in a deal valued at over a billion dollars. The acquisition gave HYBE a major foothold in the U.S. market, bringing SB Projects, Big Machine Label Group, and Braun's ventures under its umbrella. Braun served as co-CEO and then sole CEO of HYBE America, during which time he led the $300 million acquisition of Quality Control Music and secured a distribution partnership with Universal Music Group. He stepped down as CEO in 2025 and departed HYBE's board of directors in 2026 to pursue his next chapter, while remaining one of the company's largest individual shareholders.
What topics does entertainment speaker Scooter Braun cover?
Scooter Braun speaks on talent identification and development, entrepreneurial mindset and the 10x approach to ambition, scaling creative businesses, leadership under public pressure, the intersection of culture and commerce, the future of the music and entertainment industry, and philanthropy as a business value rather than an afterthought. His talks are particularly powerful for executive audiences in media, technology, consumer brands, and financial services, as well as for creative leadership teams and entrepreneurship forums. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau to explore how Scooter's keynote can be customized for your audience and event goals.
How to book Scooter Braun as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Scooter Braun as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Scooter Braun's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Scooter Braun or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Scooter Braun speaking fee?
Scooter Braun speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Scooter Braun to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Scooter Braun.
How can I contact Scooter Braun?
We only work with Scooter Braun on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Scooter Braun and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Scooter Braun speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Scooter Braun for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Scooter Braun for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Scooter Braun is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Scooter Braun for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
