Daniel Lamarre - Balancing Acts: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Your Life and Work

After seeing the Cirque du Soleil creative team in action, up close, during the making of Toruk, I often said that Hollywood could learn a lot from the Cirque culture of putting creativity first, before all other considerations, at every step of their process. I was truly inspired watching them work, and this book will provide important insights about how that ethos is balanced against the demands of business and the real world.

James Cameron, Filmmaker

In contemplating the last fifteen years of partnership between Cirque Du Soleil and The Beatles Apple Corps, Ive realized that this relationship is the ultimate example of creativity, collaboration, and perseverance. It has been a long and winding road, and at every turn LOVE has brought joy, inspiration, storytelling, and exhilaration to audiences who come to be enveloped and transported by the iconic music and the multisensory motion of the show. So many creative, caring, and passionate professionals, both at Apple Corps and Cirque du Soleil, are responsible for nurturing what began as magical musings between George Harrison and Guy Lalibert. Working with Daniel has been a journey that has enlightened and enriched me, both personally and professionally, and for that I am forever grateful.

Jeff Jones, CEO of Apple Corps

AEGs partnership with Cirque du Soleil throughout the world has grown immeasurably over the last twenty years thanks to Daniel Lamarres vision, dedication, and leadership. His global aspirations, brand commitment, and creativity have fueled our mutual success and guided our relationship.

Dan Beckerman, President and CEO, AEG Worldwide

Cirque du Soleil has been an inspiration for all creators in our industry. Working with Daniel Lamarre and his team, I was able to discover the business creativity behind this brand. Reading this book will stimulate your own creativity.

Mark Burnett, Chairman, MGM Studios Worldwide Television Group / Creator and Producer of Survivor

Its one thing for business experts to wax poetic on their version of the enormous success of Cirque du Soleil, but now we have an insiders account into one of the worlds most beloved and creative brands. Through his signature blue lenses, we get to hear about the moments when the creativity and innovation of the company soared, as well as the obstacles that at times stood in its path. This is a book from someone who not only lived it but led it too.

Diane Quinn, CCO, Cirque du Soleil

With a wholly unique creative spirit, Daniel Lamarre has established himself as a visionary leader by growing Cirque du Soleil into a globally beloved brand and redefining modern live entertainment in the process. Now, through this book, hes using the same singular sense of imagination that made Cirque du Soleils Joy such a smash hit at Vidanta Riviera Maya to illuminate the importance of bringing creativity to every aspect of your life.

Daniel Chvez, Founder of Grupo Vidanta

The relationship between MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil is synonymous with Las Vegass evolution as the Entertainment Capital of the World. From the first tent show behind The Mirage in the early 1990s to the four incredibly successful shows currently running on the Strip, we have created a destination unlike any other in the world. Ive been honored to work alongside Daniel Lamarre for twenty years during both good times and challenging ones for our organizations. His book is a great reminder that creativity and business should not be treated as two separate entities. When working together symbiotically, they have the ability to drive an organization to even greater heights.

Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO, MGM Resorts Group

Cirque du Soleil has a well-deserved reputation for extraordinary creativity and the unsurpassed quality of its shows, and we are proud and excited to be partnering with them in bringing one-of-a-kind entertainment to guests of all ages.

Bob Chapek, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company

2022 Daniel Lamarre

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by HarperCollins Leadership, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus LLC.

Any internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by HarperCollins Leadership, nor does HarperCollins Leadership vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book.

ISBN 978-1-4002-2303-9 (eBook)

ISBN 978-1-4002-2302-2 (HC)

Epub Edition November 2021 9781400223039

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021948888

Printed in the United States of America

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It is with great emotion
that I dedicate this book to two amazing women:

To my mom,
for supporting me all my life.

To my wife, Emmanuelle,
for being part of this great adventure.

CONTENTS

Why, you may be wondering, should you read a book by a businessman whose company had to file for bankruptcy protection?

Its a question I welcome because it gets at the heart of what I want to convey about the power of creativity.

Let me explain. By early 2020, my fourteenth year as chief executive of Cirque du Soleil, we had grown into a global entertainment powerhouse with forty-four live productions around the world. Annual revenue had soared to $1 billion, our brand was a beloved household name, and I had begun writing this book about the indispensable role of creativity in building a great company.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. As the deadly virus spread across the planet, we had no choice but to shut down all forty-four shows and seek court protection from our creditors. Tragically, I had to lay off 95 percent of our five thousand employees as our revenue dropped to zero. My book was in limbo. After all, who wants to read about a company at deaths door?

And yet, I was determined to not only save Cirque but also continue writing about what I was learning. Thats what kept me going. Then, in our darkest hours, something miraculous happened: I began fielding calls from blue-chip investors hoping to buy us out. Even I was stunned. How could a company with no sales, a skeleton staff, and no timetable for resuming operations become the object of a bidding war?

The answer was soon clear: investors were attracted by the tremendous power of our brand and the value of our intellectual property. Within a few months, we were acquired by our creditors, a group of financiers who absorbed our $900 million debt and invested an additional $375 million to bring Cirque back to life. That put the market value of our company, even in a crippled state, at a stunning $1.275 billion.

This improbable sequence of events illustrates why creativity is so vital in businessbetter than anything else I could say in this book. After all, we have no physical products, no factories or inventory, no pricey real estate. Instead, we have something far more valuable: the limitless creativity that springs from the minds, hearts, and bodies of our artists.