Charles Melcher

Charles Melcher is a creator, curator, and thought leader in the storytelling and technology space, as well as an entrepreneur and early-stage investor in media and technology companies. He is the Founder and CEO of Future of Storytelling, a live events and content studio that is focused on how storytelling and technology are developing in the twenty-first century. 


For over a decade, FoST has created groundbreaking live gatherings such as the FoST Summit, the FoST Festival (recognized as cutting-edge events by Forbes, VICE, The New York Times, and others), and most recently the FoST Explorers Club membership program. Additionally, FoST produces original content throughout the year, including storytelling workshops; curated exhibitions with local and international organizations; a storytelling curriculum for businesses; a monthly newsletter, “FoST in Thought,” and the bi-weekly FoST Podcast, where Melcher has intimate and informative conversations with expert guests such as Margaret Atwood, Al Gore, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Byrne, among others. FoST also produces apps, websites, films, and immersive experiences for international brands and media companies. Melcher also recently wrote and published a first-of-its-kind book about immersive experiences titled The Future of Storytelling: How Immersive Experiences Are Transforming Our World. He sits on the boards of immersive theater company Punchdrunk International, the American Alliance of Museums, and Nova Sky Stories.

 

Melcher is also the Founder and CEO of Melcher Media, Inc. Founded in 1993, the company works with leading brands (including Meta, PepsiCo, and Microsoft), media companies (Netflix, HBO, Condé Nast, and Time Warner), and individual authors (Oprah Winfrey, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Kobe Bryant) to help them tell their stories and connect with large audiences via beautifully illustrated, interactive books. The company has won numerous design awards and has produced thirty-three New York Times best sellers.

Courses and Content

Story Forum: Exploring Art and Innovation - ON DEMAND

Together with creators, educators, industry leaders, and technologists, we explored the creative technologies that are impacting storytelling and how today’s artists are evolving. Now you can experience it all on-demand for free.
Video

The Future of Storytelling with Charles Melcher

With: Charles Melcher and Erica Elson

The Future of Storytelling with Charles Melcher

With: Charles Melcher and Erica Elson
In this session, you’ll find out how these new formats turn people from passive viewers into active participants whose choices, movement, and emotions shape the experience itself, moving from a traditional audience to an “actience.” You’ll get a practical framework for building immersive, responsible, and transformative narratives, and you’ll learn how changing how you think about your audience can empower them to have more agency and influence on their stories, their lives, and how they interact with the world.