I’m proud to say Jeff Silverman has been a good friend of mine for years and I’ve had the opportunity to work with him in various capacities throughout his many entrepreneurial forays. He’s probably best known as the president of Yuk Yuk’s, Canada’s largest chain of comedy clubs (client) and the birthplace of Canadian standup.

Jeff’s also a natural storyteller whose new book, Funny Business: Business Lessons with a ‘Cents’ of Humour, is filled with gems and insights about his rock and rollicking career.  

Jeff is one of those people who’s been able to create, launch and run really cool businesses, mostly in entertainment. He’s knows how to build loyal, dedicated and passionate communities – and all without social media.  (I’m trying to get him interested in it, but that’s another story…)

Let’s start at the beginning. Jeff grew up in NYC and trained in graphic design.  He arrived in Toronto via the UK in the ’70s and started his first endeavour with partner Gary Topp: The Original 99 Cent Roxy, Toronto’s hip repertory theatre that played everything from old movies to quirky and edgy cult releases in a city hungry for beyond-the-mainstream.

He followed that up as an influential concert promoter in Toronto’s new wave and punk scene; he and his partners brought the Police and Ramones to Toronto.

Then in the early ’80s, he created the phenomenon called the ‘All Night Show‘ – because there was nothing to watch on late-night TV.  The ‘All Night Show’ ran live, five days a week from one to six am with ‘Chuck The Security Guard’ and his motley crew taking over a channel after it had gone off the air and broadcasting videos, old TV shows, vintage ads and various home movies, off the wall skits – all before that became popular to do.

Jeff produced other TV and concerts but spent the bulk of his career as president of Yuk Yuk’s.  For the past 25 years, he’s been opening clubs, hiring and firing managers, helping build comics’ careers (Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel, Russell Peters), producing TV shows, running a comedy festival and occasionally coming up with a few clunkers, too. He’s not afraid to say yes – or no – to a great idea and he tells us why.

He’s also Mark Breslin’s business partner and together they make a stellar team. Mark is high concept and visionary, Jeff is very much a savvy deal maker who gets things done.  And Yuk Yuk’s laughs on…

Funny Business is a fast and entertaining read, mixing nuggets of practical wisdom, an understanding of human nature and wonderful tales of the famous and not so famous – all spiced with Jeff’s perspective and humour.

The book takes you backstage to the inner workings behind the curtain – the business in showbiz.

About Martin Waxman

Martin Waxman, MCM, is a digital communications strategist. He conducts AI research, leads digital and social media training workshops and speaks at events across North America. He's co-founder of two PR agencies, president of a consultancy and has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. Martin is a LinkedIn Learning instructor, teaches digital strategy and social media at McMaster University, the Schulich School of Business, University of Toronto SCS and Seneca College. He's a member of the Institute for Public Relations Digital Media Research Center and a past-chair of PRSA Counselors Academy. He has a Master of Communications Management (MCM) from McMaster-Syracuse Universities.

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