Turner Magic Named Best of Atlanta 2012 in Corporate Entertainment

Turner Magic Entertainment named Best of Atlanta 2012 for Corporate Entertainment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turner Magic Entertainment Receives 2012 Best of Atlanta Award

Atlanta Award Program Honors the Achievement

ATLANTA October 10, 2012 — Turner Magic Entertainment has been selected for the 2012 Best of Atlanta Award in the Corporate Entertainment category by the Atlanta Award Program.

Each year, the Atlanta Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Atlanta area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Atlanta Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Atlanta Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Atlanta Award Program

The Atlanta Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Atlanta area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Atlanta Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Atlanta Award Program

CONTACT:
Atlanta Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardprogram.org
URL: http://www.awardprogram.org

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Turner Magic & Keynotes Named Best of Atlanta 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turner Magic & Keynotes Receives 2012 Best of Atlanta Award

Atlanta Award Program Honors the Achievement

ATLANTA July 30, 2012 — Turner Magic & Keynotes has been selected for the 2012 Best of Atlanta Award in the Party Planning & Event Consultants category by the Atlanta Award Program.

Turner Magic & Keynotes has received the 2012 Best of Atlanta award for the second consecutive year.

Each year, the Atlanta Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Atlanta area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Atlanta Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Atlanta Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Atlanta Award Program

The Atlanta Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Atlanta area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Atlanta Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Atlanta Award Program

CONTACT:
Atlanta Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardprogram.org
URL: http://www.awardprogram.org

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Three Recommendations from Kettering Sales and Marketing Group

Yesterday I spoke to the Sales and Marketing SIG (special interest group) of the Kettering Executive Network.

My topic was Five Kinds of Amazing, which is the working title of the book I’m working on now. You’ll be seeing excerpts from the book on this blog over the rest of the year, so stay tuned!

Here’s some feedback from three people who saw yesterday’s presentation.

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Kelly Bevan’s Testimonial

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Joan Boneburg’s Testimonial

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David Jensen’s Testimonial

What is Mentalism?

My clients know that I perform a variety of illusions in different genres, depending on the specific needs and character of their event. Many of them have encountered the term “mentalism” in conversations with me, or they’ve heard it from others, or they’ve seen the popular show The Mentalist on CBS. Many people still approach me with the question: just what is mentalism, anyway?

Theatrical poster for a mind-reading performance, 1900 (via Wikipedia)

Mentalism, simply put, is the branch of illusion arts that deals with psychological experiences more than visual ones, though there is sometimes some overlap. Mentalists present their audiences with experiences that seem like mind-reading, mental influence, predictions of future events, and occasionally the ability to move or affect physical objects with the power of the mind.

Modern mentalism has roots in ancient times, where soothsayers and mediums performed acts that would be related to some kinds of mentalism today. In the 1800s, psychic entertainers became popular and some of the feats they performed would still be part of any mentalism performance today.

Some mentalists strongly resist any comparison to magicians, preferring to think of the art as an entirely separate one with no pretended “supernatural” elements. Given that some mentalists have overtly made claims of “supernatural gifts” as the source of their abilities, that distinction holds little sway. Another common approach to performing mentalism today is to offer it in the context of using highly developed observational skills and an ability to read body language as the theatrical premise for the performance. This premise is, however, sometimes largely an illusion in its own right. It is generally a contrivance intended to persuade audiences that what they are experiencing is less a theatrical experience and more an actual ability to perceive people’s specific thoughts. While this claim is not supernatural in nature, in my view it is only slightly less dishonest.

My personal approach to mentalism is to recognize it for what it really is: a truly mystifying branch of the illusion arts focused on experiences of the mind. Just as a skilled sleight-of-hand artist can make a coin appear to melt into nothingness, a skilled mentalist can seem to make a thought appear in your mind. The first illusion is visual; the second is psychological. They rely on some techniques that are similar, and some which are different. Likewise, the performer who makes a tiger appear on a stage relies on some techniques that are similar, and some which are different. All of the experiences are illusions to an audience.

It can be fun to leave the line between reality and performance a little blurry for an audience. When that blurred line becomes a means by which someone attempts to sell products or services through the perception that the theatrical premise represents legitimate expertise on the part of the performer, then another line is also being blurred: the line between honest performer and scam artist.

Interestingly, when the television show The Mentalist premiered, the Atlanta CBS affiliate contacted me about coming on the news for a feature on “Atlanta’s Real Life Mentalist.” In that segment they profiled me and my work as a speaker and mentalist. The interview itself is linked just below the image. Enjoy!

Turner Magic and Keynotes Receives Best of Atlanta 2011 Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turner Magic and Keynotes Receives 2011 Best of Atlanta Award

Turner Magic & Keynotes Received the 2011 Best of Atlanta Award from USCA

NEW YORK, NY, October 21, 2011 — Turner Magic & Keynotes has been selected for the 2011 Best of Atlanta Award in the Party Planning & Event Consultants category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

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Atlanta Speaker, Mentalist, Magician Turner to Perform at London Palladium

Atlanta speaker, mentalist, and magician Joe M. Turner performs at the London Palladium on September 19. (Photo courtesy Ilona Richards)

Atlanta speaker, mentalist and magician Joe M. Turner will perform at the London Palladium in September at a show benefiting several UK children’s medical charities. He is the sole American close-up performer on the bill.

Atlanta-based speaker and corporate entertainer Joe M. Turner has been tapped to perform at a landmark event at the historic Palladium Theatre in London on September 19. Illusionists from around the world, including Las Vegas headliners Mac King and Jeff Hobson, will present an evening of stage magic and close-up sleight-of-hand as part of “Palladium Magic,” a gala benefit show supporting several UK children’s medical charities. Turner, a two-time Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year, is the only American slated to be part of the close-up magic performances.

“It is an honor to have Joe as part of our event,” says producer Paul Stone, president of MagiCares, the charity behind the show. “His talents are well-known in America and we are proud indeed that he agreed to share them with us. Great magicians such as Harry Houdini, Chung Ling Soo, and Paul Daniels have performed in this historic theatre, as have most of the greatest singers, actors, and variety stars over the last hundred years. Joe will become part of a great show business tradition when he takes his bow on the Palladium stage.”

Turner’s skills as a mentalist and sleight-of-hand expert have put him in high demand as an entertainer and speaker. His visual and psychological illusions have been featured on Good Morning America, Nightline, CNN HLN, and numerous other television programs at home and abroad. He has performed multiple times at the Hollywood Magic Castle, the Tropicana Atlantic City, off-Broadway at Monday Night Magic in New York, and at hundreds of corporate and private events in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Turner performed at the 2010 national convention of the Society of American Magicians and serves on the Executive Committee of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the industry’s largest organization. He is a member of the London Magic Circle, which awarded him an advanced performance degree last year.

As a speaker, Joe frequently delivers motivational keynotes on subjects of creativity, leadership, and “doing the impossible” by leveraging one’s unique combination of talents and life experiences. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and was featured in their national magazine earlier this year. After the show, Turner will travel north to perform and lecture at another conference in Southport before returning home.

Find out more about Joe M. Turner’s unreal entertainment and keynotes at http://www.turnermagic.com and http://www.turnertalks.com.

“One Enchanted Evening” in Vicksburg Sept 8

Mississippi Native Turner Brings Magic, Music From Atlanta to Vicksburg

Atlanta speaker and entertainer Joe M. Turner performs in Vicksburg on September 8

NOTE: Listen to a radio interview about this upcoming appearance!
Interview by Annette Kirklin on The Directors Report, WVBG Radio, Vicksburg, MS (8/17/2011)

Atlanta speaker and entertainer Joe M. Turner will perform “One Enchanted Evening” at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center on Thursday, September 8. Turner, a Brandon native, will present a unique show of sleight-of-hand illusions and music performances.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation takes immense pride in welcoming acclaimed international speaker, corporate entertainer, and Brandon, Mississippi native Joe M. Turner back to his home state for a one-night-only, one-of-a-kind theatrical performance on Thursday, September 8th at 7:00pm in the SCH Auditorium.

Turner will present a multi-faceted evening of variety entertainment including unreal sleight-of-hand mysteries, uncanny psychological illusions, and unforgettable piano and vocal classics, all woven together into what some consider “a 21st-century one-man vaudeville.” Don’t miss this unique entertainment event! This limited engagement will sell out, so don’t miss out!

Tickets are $25 for SCHF Members, $30 for Non-Members and $225 for a Corporate/Private Table. Ticket price includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, punch, a cash bar, and an unforgettable evening of magic, mentalism, and music! Tickets are on sale now at the SCHF Business Office, Paper Plus or charge by phone at (601) 631-2997. You can get tickets and directions online at http://www.southernculture.org

Joe M. Turner combines seven years of corporate experience in training design and development, business communication, human performance development and change management initiatives at Fortune 100 clients with extensive theatre experience and magical talents to create customized magical presentations for his clients.

Joe is a member of the National Speakers Association, the Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Magic Circle in London (A.I.M.C. with silver star), and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He is also a popular speaker, onscreen and onstage talent, a professional pianist, an accomplished vocalist, composer and playwright. Visit his website at http://www.turnermagic.com

Space is limited and an advanced ticket purchase is suggested. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org

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Based in Atlanta, Georgia, professional speaker, mentalist, and corporate magician Joe M. Turner delivers unreal entertainment and keynotes for corporate meetings, events, trade shows, conferences and private events worldwide.

Category Entertainment, Event, Arts

Turner Voted Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year

For Immediate Release: Turner Voted Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year

Atlanta speaker and entertainer Joe M. Turner has been voted 2010 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year by the combined Atlanta memberships of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Society of American Magicians. Georgia Magic Club president Evan Reynolds and the Atlanta Society of Magicians president Rick Hinze announced the news at the clubs’ joint banquet on January 8.

Atlanta speaker and entertainer Joe M. Turner accepts the trophy for being named 2010 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year

The award dates back to 1971 and is based on excellence in seven categories including performance skill, use of talent for charitable efforts, teaching, and creativity. The accompanying “Duke Stern/Hal Martin Memorial Trophy” is engraved with the names of all the previous winners. The winner is honored to keep the trophy for a year, and then receives a commemorative plaque to keep after passing the trophy to the next winner.

The selection of the winner is made in stages. Each of the participating organizations elects two finalists from their membership, and those nominees then go on a ballot for a final comprehensive round of voting by both clubs. This year, Turner had the rare honor of being selected as a finalist by both local groups.

Turner, a corporate speaker and entertainer often billed as “the Chief Impossibility Officer,” is now a two-time Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year, having also received the award in 2000. He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the London Magic Circle, and the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. He serves as the IBM Territorial Vice President for Georgia, as well as the Global TVP Counselor; he is also currently serving a three-year term on the IBM Board of Directors. He writes a bi-monthly review column for Genii Magazine.

Find out more about Joe M. Turner’s magic entertainment and keynotes at http://www.turnermagic.com and http://www.turnertalks.com.

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Based in Atlanta, Georgia, corporate speaker, magician and mentalist Joe M. Turner – “The Chief Impossibility Officer” – delivers astonishing sleight-of-hand, customizable illusions, and stunning mentalism presentations for corporate events, trade shows, conferences and private events worldwide.

Atlanta Magician and Mentalist Joe M. Turner featured during National Magic Week

Atlanta magician and mentalist Joe M. Turner performs and teaches some mathematical magic at Compton Elementary School in celebration of National Magic Week 2010.

Harry Houdini, perhaps America’s most celebrated magician, died on October 31, 1926. Soon thereafter, members of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) began commemorating his memory with a celebration of the art of magic. Over the years these celebrations and performances took on a volunteer aspect, with performers offering free programs for schools and charitable organizations. The overall effort eventually became recognized officially as National Magic Week, which is observed the last seven days of October each year.

As part of the promotion of National Magic Week 2010, I presented two magic-enhanced reading presentations at Compton Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia. I read and performed in Ms. Haskins’ and Ms. Morgan’s classes; as it happens, Ms. Haskins was a classmate of mine way back in grade school and high school in Brandon, Mississippi! Liz Murphy, the principal of the school, saw me speak at a business luncheon earlier this year and asked me to be part of the Compton “Day of Hope” program, in which community leaders come to school to read to and interact with the students. Little did she know that Ms. Haskins had connected with me via Facebook and had already arranged for me to be present! The day went off wonderfully, and if you click on the photo at right, you can visit the school’s web site to find out more.

Last week I also appeared CBS Atlanta‘s program Better Mornings Atlanta, where I performed for both a broadcast spot and a web extra. In both segments, I interacted with host Brandon Rudat. In my last few appearances on this show, I have had the opportunity to appear with all the hosts, and now I really look forward to appearances there. You can view the clips – both the broadcast and the web extra segments – below.

Enjoy!

Atlanta Magician and Mentalist Joe M. Turner on Better Mornings Atlanta | June 30, 2010

Last week I performed in the opening night gala show for the Society of American Magicians (SAM) National Convention in Atlanta. As part of the promotion of the show, the national PR coordinator for the SAM, George Schindler, asked me to make some media appearances. I ended up doing two spots for CBS Atlanta’s program Better Mornings Atlanta – a broadcast spot (above) and a web extra (below). Both segments were performed with host Jennifer Valdez.

Enjoy!

Corporate magician, mentalist and keynote speaker Joe M. Turner is your event’s “Chief Impossibility Officer.” Follow him online!

Facebook: http://facebook.com/turnermagic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/turnermagic
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/joemturner