Coaching and training from the world of stand-up—for modern agency teams

Ideation. Creativity. Impact. Comedians bring the most distinctive material—and the most engaging delivery. We adapt their craft for teams like yours. To grow relevant skills—that win pitches and wow clients—book a call now.

Coaching and training from the world of stand-up—for modern agency teams

Ideation. Creativity. Impact. We adapt comedy craft for teams like yours. To grow relevant skills—that win pitches and wow clients—book a call now.

The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.

 —David Ogilvy

Why stand-up for agencies?

For standout campaigns,
try stand-up thinking

David Ogilvy wasn’t joking when he said make your thinking as funny as possible. He believed humour unlocks better ideas—and bolder delivery. So do we.

That matters, because teams like yours are under pressure. AI is reshaping the industry. Clients expect more for less. And the tension between freshness and formula never goes away.

But audiences—and algorithms—are changing too. The work that wins today is from teams that dare to be different.

The We Are Funny Project helps creative teams think like comedians—because comedians spot angles and connections others miss. Then they package and deliver those ideas in formats that surprise and delight.

We know, as an agency lead, you don't need punchlines. But you do need distinctive ideas—and delivery that commands attention. We know how to do that—and how to train it.

Adapting practical tools from stand-up comedy, we equip your team to produce and deliver standout work. And when the brief calls for a more serious tone—our approach still applies. These techniques work for every project, every client, every time.

How do we make your thinking as funny as possible? Just ask.

Imagined words. Real potential.

What our agency clients haven't said. Yet.

We're not big fans of credibility theatre. So we invented the quotes we'd like to earn, from the only client who matters—you. 

Every brainstorm starts with a bang and ends with... ‘let’s park that for now’... We're all a bit jaded after that last pitch.
—You, during our discovery call
Love the energy—even the quiet guys are chiming in… The stand-up techniques map directly to our work… makes so much sense.
—You, during your first workshop
Since that first session, the ideas just flow… We've got our mojo back... The team can't wait for the pitch coaching session.
—You, in a month's time

They're not case studies. They’re fake studies.

For how—and why—we took this approach, read The real story behind our fake quotes.

And for the real thing, try Raising the bar for a prestige brand: a case study in whisky, wit and storytelling.

Pitching. Creative, Strategy, Culture

Big wins we help teams achieve

We work with agency leaders and their teams to build the skills that make a difference—wherever you sit in the business.

Pitching and presentation

Clearer story. More engagement. Real impact where it matters most.

When delivery feels flat—and great ideas are dying in the deck—we step in with story coaching and playful exercises drawn from crowd work. This isn't pitching with punchlines. It's pitching with presence and personality—and it earns buy-in from even your most hesitant client.

Creative

Bolder ideas. Better instincts. Standout work—shipped fast.

Working comedians create new material on repeat—not once in a blue moon. Adapting those methods, we help creative teams spark faster, filter with less hesitation, and shape winning ideas into standout work—however tight the deadline. We don't chase inspiration—we build confidence and process.

Cross-functional teams

More alignment. Less friction. Real ownership—without the silo tug-of-war.

If your best thinking is getting lost in handover, let us help your people connect the dots—early, often, and without ego. With techniques from stand-up—like riffing, tagging, and building on offers—we unlock collaboration that lasts well beyond the whiteboard. The result? Smarter cross-functional work from strategy to execution—and an agile, more united front before clients.

Strategy and planning

Sharper angles. Smarter stories. No more next slide, please.

When strategy decks feel like whitepapers, comedy craft is the antidote. We help planners go beyond warmed-up frameworks to find the human hook. This is how you sharpen strategic narrative—and turn dry delivery into emotive storytelling—without ever losing rigour.

Leadership and culture

Trust. Gravitas. Infectious energy—that has everyone leaning in.

From offsites to all-hands, we help leaders set tone, build trust, and energise teams—without forced fun or awkward games. This isn't open with a gag. It's authentic, natural communication—and it's central to sharing your vision, and winning support. Peers, people, clients—when the tone is right, everyone gets on board.

What about your team?

For real agency problems, try professional, humour-first solutions.

We don’t do gimmicks. We do skills, mindsets and practices—borrowed from the world's toughest stage, fully adapted for yours.

Where do you need your biggest win?

Let’s energise the pitch. Punch up the plan. And rebuild creative spark.

How we work

Custom-built learning, in three simple steps

Troubleshooting a team issue? Prepping a pitch? In a creative slump?

Whatever the challenge, we tailor our approach—to you, your team, and your goals.

step 1

Discovery

You'll talk directly with Alfie Noakes, founder of the We Are Funny Project. Together, you'll explore the challenges, and map out a learning plan that fits.
step 2

Delivery

1:1 or in group—our coaching and training builds skills, stretches thinking, and shifts behaviour. Whatever the challenge, we deliver learning that sticks.
step 3

Results

You’ll see the shift. Your clients will too. More innovative ideas, bolder work, stronger delivery—and a team that's excited for the next big challenge.

Our approach comes from comedy—but the results are no joke

Despite what Alfie's headshot suggests, we’re not zany pranksters. We're grown-ups—with a serious track record in business and broadcast.

We're unorthodox, for sure—but we respect your time and your targets. We deliver practical skills and real growth—not clowning around.

Alfie has MC'ed over 1,000 gigs, and promoted over 1,500! 
Alfie Noakes, founder and lead coach

Get skills and insight from a 20-year veteran of TV and comedy

Alfie Noakes is the founder of the We Are Funny Project, and a highly effective mentor, coach and trainer. With 20 years' experience in stand-up and television, Alfie brings valuable insight and a unique skillset to the creative agency world.

As a promoter and MC, Alfie has worked on more than 1,500 comedy shows. In television, he's produced and directed for Channel 4, Channel 5, MTV and Universal. And as a trainer and coach, he’s helped over 1,000 people develop their storytelling, presence and impact—on stage, on screen and in business.

In agency sessions, Alfie combines performance coaching with deep learner insight. He creates safe, energising environments for creative professionals to connect, experiment, and grow.

Alfie won't turn your people into stand-ups. But he will help them think like comedians—because that’s how you unlock original ideas, boost creative confidence, and deliver standout messages which command attention.

Want to see Alfie in action? Read our first brand case study. Or book a discovery call to find out what the We Are Funny Project can do for your team.

Results we can achieve together

Before. During. After. Soon.

More fake quotes about real results you could achieve—and sooner than you think—with humour-first coaching and training. 

We want to be engaging when the stakes are high, but we're all too scripted… I end up sounding like a deck with legs.
—You, during our discovery call
Happy to say: this is NOT pitching with punchlines… I feel a lot more comfortable just being myself at the front of the room.
—You, during a pitch coaching session
It's been eye-opening… Clients are really leaning in… We’re not just showing slides—we’re having proper conversations.
—You, after your strongest pitch yet

Real case studies are in the pipeline. But do you really need them?

These examples showcase 1:1 pitch coaching. We can also help you with creative, strategy and culture—1:1 or in group.

If you're wondering how this might work for your agency, waiting for real quotes won't help. A discovery call will.

Why stand-up?

What do we get?

What about a pilot?

What if we could…?

How does it work?

Who's the trainer?

How do we book?

Why stand-up?

What do we get?

What about a pilot?

What if we could…?

How does it work?

Who's the trainer?

How do we book?

If you've read this far...

It's time we talked

A website only gets you so far. A conversation offers clarity. Is humour-first coaching and training a good fit for your agency? Let’s find out—together—in a focused 25-minute call.

There's no phone tag—we book time in advance—and there's no middleman. You'll be speaking with Alfie Noakes, the founder of the We Are Funny Project—not some random BDM.

You'll get clarity and confidence to move forward—or move on

Practical tools from stand-up comedy really do help creative teams stand out from the crowd—with no gimmicks or cheesy lines. To explore how that might work at your agency, book a discovery call with Alfie today.
Created with