Mark Breslin

Mark Breslin

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Toronto, Ontario

Canadian Comedy Icon | Unleashing Laughter And Wisdom | Renowned Speaker | Entrepreneur | Author

  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Expertise
Play

You Too Mike Bullard

SBC

You Too with Mike Bullard | EP #5 Mark Breslin Mr. Yuk Yuk’s
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Olivia Stadler

SBC

My podcast with Mark Breslin
Play

Podcast With That Gal and That Guy

SBC

That Gal With That Guy With Mark Breslin

MARK BRESLIN BIOGRAPHY

Mark Breslin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He graduated York University Honours with a B.A. in English Literature.

Soon after graduating, Breslin became Director of Theatre and Music for Harbourfront Corporation, an innovative cultural organization which produces events and activities at numerous venues on Toronto’s waterfront.

In 1974, Breslin opened the first Yuk Yuk’s, in the basement of Toronto’s Church Street Community Centre. Two years and many sweaty shows later, the Yuk Yuk’s flag ship was moved to 1280 Bay Street in the trendy Yorkville district. Over the next decade, Yuk Yuk’s would expand to its present reach of fourteen clubs across Canada.

Breslin has written three books so far – Zen and Now (Somerville House), a popular Brian Mulroney joke book Son of a Meech (Random House), and most recently an autobiographical novel, Control Freaked (Insomniac Press). Add to this innumerable book reviews for The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and The Quill and Quire.

Breslin has been a broadcaster, having hosting call-in shows on Q107 and CFRB and having appeared as a featured panelist on multiple episodes of ROB TV’s “The Art Panel” and Global Television’s “Grumps”.

Breslin has produced such television programs as “Late Night with Joan Rivers” for Fox Broadcasting, “Yuk Yuk’s – the TV show” for CBC TV and “Mondo Taboo”, two pay-per-view specials for The Movie Network. He was executive producer on “Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui” for CBC TV and “Yuk Yuk’s 25th Anniversary Special” for the Comedy Network. Currently, Breslin is a story consultant on “Kenny vs Spenny” for CBC TV and Showcase.

In addition to television, Breslin has also worked in radio, developing “Live from Yuk Yuk’s“, a daily radio show syndicated by the Telemedia Radio Network on over 80 stations coast to coast. He is currently program director for Laugh Attack, on XM Canada, Canada’s only 24-hour Canadian comedy channel.

In 1990, Breslin created the first annual “Search for Canada’s Funniest New Comic”, a national contest for developing new talent; that same year, he organized and hosted the first Molson Canadian Comedy Releaf Festival, which ran for nine years.

In 1998, he was chosen Artistic Director for the Humber College Comedy Program. He is a founding board member of the Canadian Comedy Awards, comedy mentor for the B.C. Festival of the Arts and Artistic Director of the Whistler Comedy Festival.

Mark Breslin’s unwavering dedication to Canadian entertainment earned him the prestigious Order of Canada from Governor General Julie Payette On Dec. 27, 2017—a reminder to embrace our passions and leave a lasting impact.

Breslin is also a much sought-after public speaker. Selected speaking engagements have included the American Comedy Institute in NYC, the Big Bear Comedy Workshop in L.A., Association for Campus Entrepreneurs (Toronto keynote address), York University Cultural Studies Program, York University Department of Philosophy, Toronto Jewish Film Society, Variety Club of Toronto, MENSA Society of Canada, Glendon College Alumni Association, Alberta Periodical Distributors Association and the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.

Books

Control Freaked
Control Freaked
This book defies categorization. It is an auto-biographical novel, a book about how to have fun, a cautionary tale for the sexually and socially inhibited. It is a political treatise on how to combat puritanism, a philosophical tract on the importance of humour to the human soul, a buyers' guide to...
Son of a Meech: The best Brian Mulroney jokes
Son of a Meech: The best Brian Mulroney jokes
Yuk Yuk's Presents Road Warriors and Rarities
Yuk Yuk's Presents Road Warriors and Rarities
Building on the bestselling success of The Yuk Yuk’s Guide to Canadian Stand-Up, this new box set will feature tremendous routines from more of Canada’s most hilarious stand-up comedians such as Ron James, Scott Thompson, Jessica Holmes and Jon Dore. The set will also feature the stand-up...
The Yuk Yuk's Guide To Canadian Stand-Up
The Yuk Yuk's Guide To Canadian Stand-Up
From the club that introduced such stars as Jim Carrey, Mike Bullard, Howie Mandel, Norm MacDonald and Russell Peters, along with dozens more, The Yuk Yuk’s Guide to Canadian Stand-Up is guaranteed to make milk come out of your nose. Mark Breslin—founder of Yuk Yuk’s, the largest chain of...

Articles & Media

Mark Breslin

Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Magazine

The Joker: Mark Breslin has been appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his influence on the comedy businessMark Breslin, the man behind the explosion of standup comedy in Canada, found his lifetime obsession almost by accident. The Toronto resident had just graduated from York University in 1974, without a specific dream for his future and uncertain about a career direction.
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Yuk Yuk’s founder Mark Breslin says standup comedy has ‘gotten really, really soft’

Toronto Star

Forty years after launching the national standup comedy chain Yuk Yuk’s, Mark Breslin sees many positive things happening in his clubs. “There’s never been so many people really interested in comedy,” he says, crediting the Internet and social media with fostering fans’ interest.
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Robin Williams: Club owner recalls marathon stand-up set in 1978

CBC News

Before he was in Dead Poets Society, Good Morning, Vietnam or even Mork & Mindy, a small crowd saw Robin Williams in a Toronto comedy club, late one night in 1978. Williams was an unknown back then, and went on stage sometime after midnight. He told club owner Mark Breslin he’d probably do material for ten or 15 minutes.
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London Yuk Yuk’s to close after 10 years at Western Fair District

Global News

After a decade of laughs, the Yuk Yuk’s comedy club at London’s Western Fair District will officially close its doors at the end of the month. The move comes as part of a wider strategy shift by the district to move away from entertainment and focus more on agri-business, said Greg Blanchard, director of sales and retail operations for the Western Fair District, which operates the Yuk Yuk’s franchise.
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The Newsload

SBC

Newsload London Reports: Mark Breslin
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CBC

SBC

The Canadian comedy impresario knows what it takes and who's coming up.
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Mark Breslin Topic Presentations

Entrepreneurship As An Extreme Sport

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Starting in 1976 with an investment of only $38, Mark Breslin made YukYuks the world’s largest comedy chain.

    His business is one of the great Canadian success stories. But he didn’t do it the easy way. “There’s no fun in business unless there’s a whiff of scandal, or the thrill of a revolutionary new idea,” he says. “You have to treat business as an extreme sport-like hang-gliding, bungee jumping, or shark diving- it’s all about the thrill of risk-taking.”

    Breslin should know, having dealt with investor revolts, franchisee disputes, performers’ egos, and an often hostile press. He’s entertained millions of paying customers, won major awards, and been personally denounced in Parliament-three times!

    Breslin’s presentation, which includes a hilarious power-point presentation, is a provocative, funny, controversial look at business from a very different perspective, one that will keep your group talking about it long after everyone has left the building.

Testimonials

Mark Breslin’s public speaking engagement was an absolute delight! His witty anecdotes and captivating storytelling kept the audience engaged from start to finish. Beyond the laughs, Mark shared invaluable insights into the world of comedy and entertainment, leaving us inspired and motivated to pursue our own passions. His ability to connect with the audience on a personal level made the experience truly memorable. Thank you, Mark, for an evening filled with laughter and wisdom!

Sarah T.

Event Attendee

I had the pleasure of attending Mark Breslin’s public speaking event, and it exceeded all expectations. His unique blend of humor and profound wisdom made for an unforgettable experience. Mark’s journey from founding Yuk Yuk’s to becoming a Canadian comedy icon was both inspiring and relatable. His storytelling had us laughing uncontrollably one moment and deeply reflecting the next. An incredible speaker with an exceptional ability to entertain and educate – I highly recommend attending any event where Mark is speaking!

Jason M.

Comedy Enthusiast

Mark Breslin’s public speaking engagement was a masterclass in comedy and communication. His insights into the art of humor and the business of entertainment were invaluable to aspiring comedians like myself. Mark’s passion for discovering and nurturing new talent was evident, and his encouragement left us feeling motivated to pursue our dreams. He effortlessly connected with the audience, and his natural charisma kept us hanging onto every word. Attending Mark’s talk was a game-changer for my career, and I’m forever grateful for the wisdom he shared.

Emily R.

Stand-up Comedian

As an event organizer, having Mark Breslin as our keynote speaker was a brilliant decision. His ability to engage and entertain a diverse audience was unparalleled. Mark’s stories from his experiences in the comedy industry were not only hilarious but also packed with valuable life lessons. He struck the perfect balance between humor and inspiration, making his talk resonate with everyone in the room. It was an absolute pleasure to have him at our event, and we received glowing feedback from our attendees. Mark’s public speaking skills are truly exceptional!

David L.

Event Organizer

Mark Breslin‘s public speaking engagement left us in awe. His genuine passion for comedy and the arts shone through every word he spoke. Not only did he deliver a captivating performance, but he also shared practical advice and strategies that we could apply to our own creative pursuits. Mark’s humility and approachability made him incredibly relatable, and he graciously interacted with the audience, making us all feel included. I left the event feeling inspired and armed with newfound knowledge, ready to take on the world with a smile on my face.

Amanda W.

Creative Enthusiast

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FAQ

How to book Mark Breslin for an event?

Mark Breslin keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Mark Breslin delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Mark Breslin from Toronto, Ontario for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada. 

Interested in booking Mark Breslin for an event?

Are you looking to hire Mark Breslin for your event? Mark Breslin Toronto, Ontario is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Mark Breslin is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Mark Breslin is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Mark Breslin from Speakers Canada's roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Mark Breslin to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.

Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Mark Breslin creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with one of our leading expert speaker like Mark Breslin from Toronto, Ontario offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Mark Breslin is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Mark Breslin focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Mark Breslin will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Mark Breslin's presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Mark Breslin speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.

How much does it cost to hire Mark Breslin for a keynote presentation or virtual event?

Mark Breslin is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada's talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Mark Breslin speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget. 

Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Mark Breslin to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Mark Breslin for your event. As Mark Breslin's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization's behalf to try to help you get in touch with Mark Breslin and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.

Mark Breslin Disclaimer

Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Mark Breslin for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Mark Breslin, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada's top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation. 

When SBC receives a request to book Mark Breslin we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization's event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Mark Breslin about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker's fees. If you are looking to hire Mark Breslin, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.

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