Matthew Luhn and the power of story
Matthew Luhn’s career is a living example of why great stories matter. Long before he became a trusted advisor to Fortune 1000 companies, he was immersed in storytelling from childhood. As the son of a third-generation toy store owner, Matthew grew up surrounded by imagination, drawing with his father and spending countless hours at the movies. A single childhood drawing sparked a lifelong belief that storytelling could shape both dreams and careers. That belief would later define his work at Disney and Pixar and now defines his impact on the business world.
From The Simpsons to Pixar
At just 19 years old, Matthew was recruited out of art school to work on The Simpsons. Soon after, his student film caught the attention of Pixar Animation Studios, then a bold startup led by Steve Jobs. Personally pitched by Jobs himself, Matthew joined Pixar at a time when the idea of a fully computer-animated feature film was still a gamble. That gamble became Toy Story. Over the next two decades, Matthew played a key role in Pixar’s collaborative story development process, contributing to Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Up, Ratatouille and more. His journey took him from animator to story leader, helping guide narratives that resonated with audiences around the world.
Hollywood storytelling meets business strategy
After decades of shaping stories that moved millions, Matthew Luhn entered a new chapter. Organizations began seeking his expertise to solve a familiar challenge: how to communicate ideas clearly, emotionally and memorably. Matthew translated Pixar’s storytelling methods into practical frameworks for business leaders, marketers and teams. He literally wrote the book on the subject with The Best Story Wins, showing how structure, empathy and clarity can transform presentations, pitches and leadership communication.
Book Matthew Luhn for your event
When you book Matthew Luhn for your event, you bring Hollywood-level storytelling insight directly to your audience. His keynotes and workshops have inspired teams at companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Procter & Gamble, Target, PayPal, Salesforce and many others. Matthew’s sessions are known for being highly entertaining, deeply practical and immediately applicable. Audiences leave with tools they can use the same day, whether to lead more effectively, sell ideas with confidence or build stronger brand stories.
A speaker who captivates and equips
Matthew’s speaking style mirrors his core message: capture attention in eight seconds or less, then deliver real value. He combines personal stories from Pixar, behind-the-scenes insights from iconic films and clear business takeaways that resonate across industries. Participants consistently praise his ability to simplify complex ideas and turn inspiration into action. In addition to his business work, Matthew remains active in film, recently writing and directing the award-winning animated short Sprite Fright.
Matthew Luhn is more than a former Disney and Pixar storyteller. He is a guide for organizations that want to communicate with clarity, creativity and impact, using stories that truly win.
