Eli Singer
Founder and CEO | NearNow
Toronto, ON, CANADA
Serial entrepreneur and recognized digital communications thought leader
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Biography
Eli’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and The Globe & Mail, and he has won industry awards including the CMA’s “Top 30 Under 30” for his groundbreaking work in digital media. Over 20 years of digital marketing and innovation experience in corporate roles and startups. Eli founded Entrinsic, a social agency acquired in 2014. He has been active as a Founder, consultant and angel investor in markets such as high-tech, healthcare, energy, automotive, cannabis and SaaS software. Eli has spoken as a keynote/panelist at global conferences hosted by organizations including PRSA and The Conference Board. He holds an HBA from the Ivey Business School.
Consulting Clients
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Google, TD, Coca-Cola, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Ford, Staples, Travelocity, Purina, Canopy Growth
Speaking
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US, Canada, Europe
Citizenship
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Canadian
Industry Expertise (21)
Professional Training and Coaching
Mental Health Care
VC and Private Equity
Travel and Tourism
Think Tanks
Social Media
Renewables and Environmental
Public Relations and Communications
Museums and Institutions
Manufacturing
Management Consulting
Internet
Health and Wellness
Food and Beverages
Financial Services
Entertainment
Energy
Design
Automotive
Advertising/Marketing
Talent Management
Areas of Expertise (12)
Artifical Intelligence
Executive & Leadership Coaching
ADHD
Venture Capital
Thought Leadership
Startup Acceleration
Innovation & Commercialization
Brand & Communications Strategy
Board Advisor
Advertising & Media Strategy
Neurodiversity
Leadership Entreprenership Startups
Affiliations (6)
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) : Marketing Advisor
- Webby Awards : Canadian Ambassador
- Velocity Accelerator : Mentor
- Ontario Wildlands League : Board Member
- ABC Life Literacy Canada : Marketing Communications Committee Member
- Social Media Week Toronto : Producer
Testimonials (3)
Thomas Purves, Vice President of Product Architecture | VISA
Huge thanks is due to Eli for organizing the CaseCamp phenomenon. Eli has done a fantastic job of building community around cutting edge innovation in the field of Marketing, and CaseCamp events themselves are always a joy.
David Crow, Angel Investor, Board Advisor, Author | DavidCrow
Eli understands the power of social media and community. He is able to tell stories that inspire people both inside and outside an organization. He has the special ability to connect people and ideas across knowledge domains and geographies. Eli is able to track new technologies and turn them into strategic actions for companies. His enthusiasm, professionalism and clarity make him an invaluable resource for any team, community and company.
Todd Defren, CEO | Shift Commnications
Eli's enthusiasm and creativity about Social Media - specifically, developing high-impact, high-touch programs that reach the right people - are infectious and inspire confidence. When you talk to Eli, the sun will break through the clouds of your angst: working with him, you get the sense that anything is possible.
Education (4)
Ivey Business School at Western University: Dean's Honour Roll, Honours Business Administration 2001
IFI Rouen, France: HBA, International Business 2001
Adler Graduate Professional School: ICF Training, Professional Coaching 2024
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): IPTU, Problem Technology Use 2024
Event Appearances (7)
COVID-19 and Older People: Facts and Fiction in Communication
IFA Virtual Town Hall Series Zoom
2020-05-22
Sidwalk Labs & the Public: Toronto's Tech Utopia?
University of Toronto Toronto
2020-02-24
Success in Marketing by Design
Canadian Marketing Association, National Convention Toronto
Social Media for Travel and Tourism
Public Relations Society of America Washington, DC
Essentials of a Power Brand
Brand by Design London, ON
Sex, Lies and Podcasts
iSummit Toronto
Pitching a Seamless Brand Experience through Traditional and e-Marketing Campaigns
Intranets for Corporate Communications Toronto
Articles (4)
Sick Transit Gloria
Harvard Business ReviewEli Singer, Mark Kuznicki, Jay Goldman
2008-02-01
Social networking technologies can help in achieving large-scale change. A primer comes from Toronto, where these tools brought together an array of stakeholders in the city’s transportation system and served as a medium for dialogue during a highly effective in-person collaboration.
The Networked Idealist's Advantage
Strategy & LeadershipEli Singer, Alex Lowy, Phil Hood
2005-06-01
A new type of innovator is revolutionizing marketplaces around the world. Called networked idealists (NIs), they combine the rascal-like idealism of Robin Hood with the network-based business models of early internet businesses like Priceline and Netscape. These innovators are initially non-profit entrepreneurs who develop organic, cellular, distributed network structures to accomplish their work. They use financial, transportation and communications networks in novel ways to circumvent normal barriers to market entry. With the proliferation of networks, networked idealism is on the rise. Even networks that seem relatively benign – PayPal, GPS, Wi-Fi – may soon serve as launching pads for some new NI business assault.
Got Game
Slashdot.orgEli Singer
Are gamer employees different? This is the question John Beck and Mitchell Wade answer in Got Game, How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever. They argue that yes, employees who grew up with Nintendo, TurboGrafix and Genesis approach their work in fundamentally different ways than non-gaming workers. If you grew up with games, you can use this book to teach your boss how to appreciate your gaming abilities in the workplace.
The Naked Corporation
Slashdot.orgEli Singer
The web is stripping away the layers of insulation between companies and the public by giving everyday people access to massive amounts of information. Increasingly companies are finding themselves like the emperor naked and exposed. Don Tapscott, long time tech author ( Digital Capital , Growing Up Digital and Paradigm Shift ), and co-author David Ticoll ( Digital Capital ) say in their latest book, The Naked Corporation: How The Age of Transparency will Revolutionize Business , that when a corporation is naked, it is best to be buff.
Media Appearances (1)
RBC unveils 'movie trailers' aimed at new home buyers
Globe and Mail
2014-04-03
“We’ll be watching the numbers, see how it performs, and we’ll adjust,” said Eli Singer, founder and president of Entrinsic. The agency and the bank will also be measuring not just clicks on links, but how many of them actually turn into customers...
Sample Talks (5)
The Curiosity Factor: Rewiring Distraction for Big Ideas
Ever notice your mind sprinting off in a hundred directions—especially if ADHD is in the mix? This session flips that restless energy on its head, reframing distraction as curiosity in action. We’ll learn the Divergence/Convergence brainstorm model, a perfect way to spark bold thinking while still landing on grounded, strategic action steps. Whether you’re navigating ADHD yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply craving a sharper creative process, you’ll learn how to channel brain buzz into practical, powerful outcomes. Learning Highlights • A fresh way to see distraction as a genuine spark for big ideas • Divergence/Convergence Model: Divergence opens possibilities, convergence provides focus and direction • Proven tips for channeling creative energy without losing focus • Practical empathy for diverse thinking styles at work and beyond
Screens Own You Until You Take Control
Screens are everywhere, and if we’re not careful, they can dominate our work, relationships, and downtime. In this refreshingly honest look at tech overload, we’ll explore real-world ways to break free. Drawing on the latest insights from Problem Technology Use research (plus some personal stories because I’ve been there), you’ll learn how to carve out time for what really matters—at work, at home, and in the space we call “free time.” Learning Highlights • Untangling the link between ADHD, screen addiction, and lost productivity • Swapping junk-screen habits for meaningful alternatives • Setting tech boundaries and taming notifications • A quick self-check to identify your biggest digital distractions
Did I Just Work All Weekend?! Breaking the Procrastination Cycle
If “I’ll finish later” has turned into late-night work sprints or endless weekend catch-up, let’s talk. This session peels back the layers on procrastination—especially when ADHD is involved—and reveals why it’s not always about laziness. We’ll use a simple framework (Urgency vs. Importance) and practical tips to rewire your work approach. Empathy plays a starring role here, because when we understand why people get stuck, we can all move forward together. Learning Highlights • Rethinking the “procrastinator” label and uncovering deeper causes • A bite-sized matrix for prioritizing tasks • Setting realistic goals, knowing when to speak up, and not overcommitting • Creating a supportive environment—whether you’re the one scrambling or the coworker offering help
The NearNow Method: A Founder’s Guide to Breakthrough Solutions
In my work founding a creative advertising agency and leading teams as CEO, I’ve seen firsthand that today’s toughest challenges often require a fresh perspective. The NearNow Method is my proven approach to connecting hidden dots, drawing on lateral thinking, strategic leadership, and a dash of ADHD-fueled creativity. Whether you’re plotting your next big business move or trying to solve a stubborn organizational puzzle, this session is about transforming complex roadblocks into intuitive practical solutions.
We Took Our Teens’ Phones Away for 3 Weeks: Here’s What Happened
Parenting in a screen-saturated world is no easy feat. When we took our teenagers on a three-week trip without their phones, it was a battle at first—but ultimately it was worth it. This session dives into the challenges and rewards of setting tech boundaries, sharing honest stories and practical advice to help families reconnect. Whether it’s creating device-free time, fostering offline interests, or modelling healthier tech habits, this session offers tools to navigate the highs and lows of digital parenting. Learning Highlights • The challenges of setting boundaries with screens (and why it’s worth it) • How to create meaningful device-free moments for your family • Practical tools for balancing limits with trust and connection • Personal stories of navigating the battles and breakthroughs of digital parenting
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
Social