Michael Dodsworth

Want to hear the behind-the-scenes story of what really happened when Taylor Swift’s drop broke the internet—and how it sparked a movement to reinvent how launches are done.
Or how about the time a sneaker release melted down in minutes and fans revolted?
Michael Dodsworth has lived the midnight meltdowns, crashed servers, and bot-infested queues—and he built Fanfare so your audience never has to repeat those mistakes.
About Michael Dodsworth:
Founder and CEO, Fanfare
Michael has spent two decades helping brands and artists navigate high-stakes product launches and events—often witnessing the agony of midnight meltdowns, crashed servers, and bot-infested queues firsthand.
Frustrated by these recurring nightmares, he founded Fanfare to tackle the problem from both sides: delivering fairness and transparency to fans, and giving brands powerful tools to turn hype into lasting loyalty.
Michael speaks from the trenches—building tools for the chaos, not just commenting from the sidelines. He’s here to dig into hype, loyalty, and what it really takes to earn fans in a world where attention is scarce and second chances are even rarer.
About Fanfare:
Fanfare turns product launches into hype-fueled events – no bots, no bullshit, just fans.
With built-in messaging, interactive rewards, and fair, flexible queuing, each drop becomes a seamless, end-to-end experience – transforming short-term excitement into lasting customer loyalty.

Get our 5 Step Hype Drop Playbook with Fanfare’s proven perfect launch formula and turn hype into habit at fanfare.io/playbook

Signature Talks:
“Taylor Swift, Switch 2, and the Drop That Broke Everything” – How launch disasters inspired Fanfare and taught us exactly what not to do.
“What We Learned Trying to Beat Ticketmaster” – Inside the high-pressure world of ticketing, and how we built for the world’s most coveted events.
“The New Rules of Creating Memorable Moments in Commerce” – Why product launches must evolve beyond simple sales – and how brands can create unforgettable moments that last.
“Turning Drops Into Data” – How brands can stop losing launch insights and start capturing actionable, loyalty-driving data instead.
“What Legacy Brands Can Learn From Sneaker Culture” – Streetwear mastered scarcity, loyalty, and hype – lessons every traditional brand should borrow.
“Behind the Scenes of High-Stakes Product Drops (And How to Win)” – Real talk and practical advice from the frontline of today's most demanding product launches