EXECUTIVE SPEAKER COACHING THAT STARTS WITH THE AUDIENCE

Message Architecture
for High-Stakes Communication

The best leaders are rarely short on ideas.

The challenge is shaping those ideas for the audience, the context and the moment.

That is the work of message architecture.

I help CEOs, founders and senior leaders design high-stakes communication that lands in the room, creates a clear shift and gives the audience something they can remember and use.

-Dan Brophy

Trusted by global leaders, founders and cultural voices
shaping the world stage.

  • Maria Ressa | Nobel Peace Prize Winner | Journalist & Author

  • Jamil Mahuad | Former President of Ecuador

  • Francisco Santos | Former Vice President of Colombia | Ambassador to the U.S.

  • Scott Farquhar | Co-Founder, Atlassian

  • Lucy Guo | Founder & CEO, Passes | Co-Founder, Scale AI

  • James Peng | Co-Founder & CEO, pony.ai

  • Admiral James Stavridis | Former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO | U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.)

  • Hagai M. Segal | Geopolitical Strategist & Global Risk Advisor

  • Li Cunxin | Artistic Director, Queensland Ballet | Author, Mao’s Last Dancer

  • Louie Schwartzberg | Award-Winning Filmmaker | Creator, Fantastic Fungi

  • Stella Clarke | Engineer at BMW Group; Creator: the ‘colour-changing car’

  • Stephen Smorgon | Business Leader, Investor & Philanthropist

  • Rajeev Kapur | Forbes #1 “Bringing AI to the Masses” | 3× Bestselling Author

  • William Heinecke | Founder & Chairman, Minor International

  • Elle Macpherson | Founder, WelleCo | Global Businesswoman

  • Miranda Kerr | Founder & CEO, KORA Organics

  • Mina Guli | Founder & CEO, Thirst Foundation

  • Dr. Neha Sangwan | Physician | Leadership Expert | Founder, Intuitive Intelligence

  • Carolyn Cresswell OAM | CEO and founder, Carman’s Kitchen

YPO EDGE 2026

(A → B) Transformation

Is Your Intent to Move the Room? (It Should Be.)

BEFORE

  • Strong ideas, but inconsistent delivery

  • Lifeless presentation that doesn’t feel emotive

  • Difficulty adapting across audiences for relevance & resonance

  • Lack of uniqueness or POV

AFTER

  • Clear, structured messaging that moves an audience

  • Confidence speaking both on and off script

  • Ability to handle panels, keynotes and media with ease

  • A defined personal voice within a broader organisational narrative

  • "One of the best speaking coaches I have ever worked with, Dan’s ability to draw out the best in my message transformed my story into a succinct and powerful emotional narrative allowing me to connect authentically with the listeners."

    Li Cunxin - Author ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’; Artistic Director, Queensland Ballet

  • “Valuable in understanding the focus of the keynote and the audience’s needs more clearly.”

    - Maria Ressa | Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Journalist & Author

  • "A complete restructuring of my speech into a 'storyline' - and introducing 'tension' into the presentation. Dan provided wonderful ideas that proved very effective."

    Stella Clarke - Engineer & Creator of BMW’s ‘colour-changing car’

  • “Helped me strengthen both the structure of my presentation and the clarity and confidence of my delivery. His guidance significantly improved the way I communicate my ideas.”

    - Francisco Santos - Former Vice President of Colombia

  • “A wealth of knowledge and wisdom and it’s had such a profound impact on my presenting”

    - Stephen Smorgon | Family Office, Real Estate, Entrepreneur

The Approach

Structure →
Narrative →
Context →
Outcome

Most leaders don’t lack ideas

They lack a clear way of shaping those ideas for the audience and the moment.

This work focuses on building message architecture —
so what you say is:

— clear
— relevant to the room
— structured to land
— designed to be remembered and used

Define the message, audience and outcome.

This is what drives clarity.

1. Structure

Shape the story so the audience connects.

This is what makes a talk memorable.

2. Narrative

Few leaders understand that ‘clear communication’ isn’t enough.

A message can be well delivered —
and still not land.

It has to be shaped for the audience, the moment,
and the outcome.

3. Context

Adapt the message to the room and moment.

This is what makes a talk impactful.

Ensure the audience leaves with something they can recall and use.

This is what drives value.

4. Outcome

Ways of Working

  • High-Stakes 1:1 Coaching

    Private speaker readiness for CEOs, founders and senior leaders preparing for keynotes, boardrooms, media, panels, firesides, investor conversations and major leadership moments.

  • Leadership & Commercial Teams

    Structured support for teams who need to communicate ideas with greater clarity, confidence and commercial impact — especially in leadership, sales and client-facing environments.

  • Authority Architecture

    A deeper positioning process for leaders ready to clarify their point of view, sharpen their message and build a consistent voice across the room, the stage and their public platforms.

Who

Leaders preparing for moments where the message needs to hold.

Typically at a point where:

— the audience is broader
— the stakes are higher
— the thinking needs to be sharper

Such as:

Keynotes and major conferences
Leadership transitions and increased visibility
High-stakes internal and external presentations

Recent work includes coaching 50+ global speakers for YPO EDGE 2026 — supporting leaders across technology, geopolitics, well-being and leadership.

Where

Work is typically delivered remotely — supporting leaders across locations, time zones and environments.

When the moment matters
— the message needs to hold.

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