1964 - A Magician is Born
In 1964, a boy was born who already had a natural flair for magic!
1972 - Cowboy
From a young age, he had a vivid imagination. His first character at the age of 9 was a Cowboy!
1980 - First Shows
After his Uncle Durval showed him the Coin Magic, Clovis became enchanted by it, but he didn’t have the money to buy magic tricks.
Without access to stores, Clovis created his own magic tricks using materials he had at home and performed shows purely for fun.
1981 - Clovis, the Magician
After the unexpected death of his father, Clovis decided to professionalize his craft. He adopted the name “Clovis, the Magician” and began performing magic shows at children’s parties. He would take the bus in a tuxedo, always carrying a suitcase with magic tricks and a cage with a dove and a rabbit. He promoted his work through free newspapers of the time. Fully dedicated to his young audience, Clovis performed an average of 240 shows per year, 5 per Saturday.
1982 - Clovis on TV
With an improved look and excellent communication skills, he emerged as one of the most sought-after magicians in São Paulo and was invited to appear on TV shows (pictured here on the Bambalalão program - TV Cultura).
1983 - New Tricks and New Experiences
Clovis began investing in large illusions, such as levitation, sawing a woman in half, the Zig Zag Box (photo), and more. During this time, he also worked as a furniture salesperson for computer stores.
1985 - College
Aware of his creative potential, Clovis decided to enroll in the Advertising and Marketing course at the Anhembi Morumbi University in São Paulo.
1988 - Specialization in the USA
After completing his degree in Advertising and Marketing, he went to the United States to study “Advanced Marketing” at the State University of New York.
1989 - Magical Enterprise
Clovis decided to blend advertising with magic and founded Magical Enterprise, a company focused on using magic for marketing. During this period, Clovis shifted from performing at children’s and adult parties to corporate events, focusing on creating magic with products.
1989 - The Trade Show Market
Clovis realized that trade shows were his main target and dedicated himself to performing at major trade fairs in São Paulo, such as UD, the Automobile Show, and Fenit. His clients included large brands like Brasilite, Coca-Cola, Bosch, Philco, and more.
1990 - From Trade Shows to Palestra Show
Clovis felt he had conquered the trade show market and started choosing events to take his show to sales conventions at hotels.
He was hired to perform at an event for Celite, a manufacturer of toilets. However, the show was canceled because the directors wanted a show with dancers. To not lose the event, he asked to perform in the afternoon, but they said, “We only have lectures.” Clovis responded, “I’ll do a lecture.” This led to his first opportunity to deliver a lecture using magic. He used magic to motivate the audience and highlight the benefits of the company’s product. However, he was very young and lacked credibility, so he invented a disguise to look older and changed his name to Peter Mac Manney, an American. He only revealed his true identity at the end. This methodology was a huge success! This event marked the birth of the “Palestra Show.”
1992 - Jô Soares
After refining the Palestra Show for several months, Clovis called the production of the Jô Soares 11:30 show and offered himself for an interview. He gained great exposure in the media and boosted his reputation as Brazil’s first magical speaker.
1993 - David Copperfield
Clovis was working as a magician at the Hilton Hotel in São Paulo when he met David Copperfield, who was staying at the hotel and would be performing on the show “Fantástico”. This encounter sparked his desire to perform large illusions in public places and become Brazil’s greatest magician.
1994 - More Magic on TV
Clovis boldly promoted himself by appearing on many TV shows, such as the Silvio Santos Program, Domingão do Faustão, Mulheres, Gugu, and more. Always presenting new tricks, dancers, and a lot of fun, his name became widely known in the media.
1994 - Grand Illusions
In 1994, Clovis decided to perform large-scale magic in public places, without sponsorship, and with great courage, he reached an agreement with the show “Fantástico” and was hailed as Brazil’s David Copperfield. He crossed the Ibirapuera Obelisk in São Paulo (featured on Fantástico). Additionally, he made a 25-foot Spirit Ferret boat appear, sawed a GM Omega car in half at the Automobile Show in front of 800 people, and performed over 30 escapes from chains and locks underwater.
Click on the links below to watch the videos:
1995 - Palestra Show Trademark
Clovis decided to register his masterpiece. You’ve likely heard the term “Palestra Show” by now—there are thousands of speakers in Brazil who use this term in their advertisements. But know that it’s a concept created by Clovis Tavares, registered in several notaries and with a trademark at the INPI.
1995 - The Magic of Marketing
Clovis realized he had enough knowledge to launch his first book, titled “The Magic of Marketing”, where he shows readers the marketing perspective through the eyes of a magician who always finds unusual ways to achieve the desired outcome.
1996 - Palestra Show Everywhere!
The demand for the Palestra Show reached unimaginable levels, leading Clovis to all Brazilian states and several countries in South America, Europe, and the United States. There was no longer room for shows in theaters or trade fairs.
1997 - Voted One of the Best Speakers in Brazil
1998 - The House of the Top Hat
While Clovis created new “characters” for the Palestra Show (such as a German and a Spaniard), he built the House of the Top Hat in São Paulo, a thematic house considered the largest top hat in the world! At this house, he hosted meetings with clients and organized events. It was featured on Fantástico and several news programs that year. Famous magicians from around the world came to this house for exclusive events.
1999 - Why Is It Important to Dream?
Clovis published his second book, “Why Is It Important to Dream?” in both Portuguese and Spanish, where he emphasizes the importance of dreaming big to achieve your goals.
2000 - Report on the Magazine Veja “The Business of Lectures”
Due to his success, Clovis was chosen to open a report in the magazine Veja about the lecture market in Brazil.
Click on the links below to view the other pages:
2000 - First Top of Marketing
Clovis presented his success story at the largest marketing event in Brazil and won the Top of Marketing award from ADVB (Brazilian Association of Sales and Marketing Managers) in São Paulo. It was the first time that a freelancer had received this title, which was typically awarded to large companies. In his case, he highlighted the creation of a market niche called the “Palestra Show”, which allowed thousands of speakers to enter the events market.
2001 - Soft Water on Hard Stone...
Clovis released his book “Soft Water on Hard Stone,” where he shows readers the power of persistence. This book complemented the previous one, which discussed the importance of dreaming big. He talks about resilience as the main virtue of a winner.
2002 - Second Top of Marketing
Clovis was invited and won the Top of Marketing award for the second time by ADVB (Brazilian Association of Sales and Marketing Managers), this time in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
2003 - We Are All Jokers
Clovis released his fourth book: “We Are All Jokers”. This book was not sold in bookstores like the others; it was distributed at his events as part of a Training with Magic. He emphasizes that everyone has the potential to achieve success in life because we are all born jokers, capable of transformation. In it, Clovis shows a magical perspective of marketing using card suits as illustrations.
2003 - Third Top of Marketing
Clovis was invited to apply again and won his third Top of Marketing award, now from the ADVB in the northeastern region. The event was held in Recife, the city where his father was born, which made him very happy.
2005 - Habib’s Kit
After a brilliant lecture for the Habib’s company, Clovis was invited to become the brand ambassador for the Habib’s chain across Brazil with the magical kit “Al Khazar” (watch the video below). It was a nationwide success, selling over 1 million kits in 6 months, surpassing McDonald’s, which was the absolute leader at the time.
Click on the link below to watch the video:
2005 - Fourth Top of Marketing
Clovis was awarded the Top of Marketing for the fourth time by ADVB (Brazilian Association of Sales and Marketing Managers), this time in Curitiba. At this event, he was hailed as one of Brazil’s greatest speakers.
2007 - The Program “Life is Magic”
Living in Alphaville, São Paulo, Clovis felt ready to have his own television program, which he named “Life is Magic” on TV Aphaville. It was a themed talk show filled with illusions, where Clovis interviewed several personalities, businesspeople, and artists. There were 20 programs over one year, but since the show was limited to the city of Barueri, Clovis couldn’t find sponsorship to take it to a national network and decided to shelve the project.
Click the link below to watch the video:
2008 - More Innovative Lectures
In response to client requests, Clovis reinvents himself and creates new thematic lectures, with new characters and unique magic tricks. At this point, he already had various characters and lecture models.
Click the link below to watch the video:
More Lectures and New Characters
2009 - Super Tips for Innovation
Invited by the Saraiva Publishing House and his friend Reinaldo Polito, Clovis launches the book “Super Tips for Innovating, Creating Opportunities, and Turning the Game Around.” A pocket book that was featured on the best-seller list at the time due to its simplicity and broad appeal to all kinds of audiences.
2009 - FISM in China
Clovis had already attended several international magic events in the United States, Sweden, England, and Portugal, but his trip to China was a special moment. He had the opportunity to deeply explore Eastern culture and perform on the Great Wall of China. Watch the video
Click the link below to watch the video:
2009 - Interview About History, Book, and Clovis’s House
Click the links below to read the interview:
2010 - Book “The Show is You”
After being invited by his friend Içami Tiba, a best-selling author, Clovis decides to create a new book, a product of interviews Clovis conducted with notable friends and guests such as Lú Alckmin, Romero Britto, César Souza, Amir Klink, among others. In the book, he shows that most success stories are not a matter of luck, but that life is a stage of opportunities for those prepared to live them.
2010 - Commercials in Airports for the Book “The Show is You”
The book “The Show is You” became a best-seller and was among the top 3 best-selling books in Saraiva and the largest bookstores in Brazil.
Click the links below to watch the videos:
2012 - Palestra Show Duetos
Clovis presents 4 major shows at Teatro da Artes (Shopping Eldorado SP). This time, he shares the stage with big names like Emerson Fittipaldi, Amyr Klink, Oscar Schmidt, and Carlos Alberto Júlio.
Click the links below to watch the videos:
2012 - Top of Mind Award
Clovis registers and is elected by managers and HR professionals as one of the 5 most remembered speakers in Brazil, winning the Top 5 award from the Estado de São Paulo newspaper.
2012 - Book “The Sales Game”
Clovis conducts a study on customer behavior and develops a methodology. He creates and launches his book with the title “The Sales Game” through Saraiva Publishing, teaching sales professionals how to identify each customer profile and increase their performance, using playing cards as illustrations.
2012 - The Sales Game Book Becomes a Short Film
Watch the short film showcasing the concepts from the book.
Click the links below to watch the videos:
2012 - 5th Top Marketing Award
Clovis is invited once again and wins his fifth Top Marketing Award from ADVB, this time for the state of Minas Gerais.
2013 - Move to the USA
Clovis decides to expand and internationalize his career, moving to Celebration, Florida, USA. He enrolls in the Disney Institute to study Disney culture.
2013 - Merlin Award
Clovis is recognized and awarded the “Merlin Award” by IMS - New York (International Magician Society), the largest association of magicians in the United States. A new category is created to honor him, and he receives the award for Corporate Magic.
2013 - Member of the NSA
Clovis is accepted as a “Professional Member” of the NSA (National Speakers Association), the largest association of speakers in the United States.
2014 - Disney Institute
Clovis completes four courses at the Disney Institute: Leadership, Business Excellence, Quality Services, and Innovation & Creativity.
2015 - Disney Lecture
Based on his two years of experience at Disney, Clovis creates a new lecture and a new character: David Touch. With this character, he can take his Disney lecture worldwide and teach thousands of people how to enchant their customers.
2015 - Move to Spain
With this new lecture, Clovis decides to take on Europe and moves to Madrid, Spain, where he starts giving lectures but continues to serve his clients in Brazil, returning monthly to fulfill his lecture schedule.
This year, Clovis also gave 12 lectures in Portugal.
Click the link below to watch the video:
2015 - Steps Productions
Steps Productions is founded, a company based in Madrid with the goal of managing Clovis Tavares’ career in Europe.
2016 - Spain and Portugal
Clovis is sought after by various companies in Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal, and continues to return to Brazil at least once a month to fulfill his lecture schedule!
2017 - Online Course for Doctors
Clovis realizes a great opportunity in the digital world and develops a communication course for doctors in Brazil, alongside Dr. Gustavo Alonso, who provided all the scientific groundwork for the course, lending it total credibility.
2018 - Online Course for Sales Executives
After the success of the first course, Clovis decides to transform his book “The Sales Game” into an online course and creates the platform CursoShow.com.br, where he hosts and sells his online courses.
2020 - Harvard University
Clovis completes his “Negotiation Mastery” studies at Harvard Business School, USA.
2020 - European Neuromarketing Association
Clovis completes his studies on consumer behavior through the lens of Neuromarketing and learns how to use neuroscience tools to strengthen sales campaigns for retail products. Madrid, Spain.
2020 - Harvard University
Clovis completes a new specialization at Harvard Business School, USA.
This time, he receives the “Disruptive Strategy” diploma. This course focuses on creating innovative ideas and generating new business models to disrupt the current market.
2021 - Entrepreneurship Diploma
Clovis decides to study entrepreneurship to understand how to apply this topic in his lectures, and in 2022, he receives another diploma from Harvard Business School.
2022 - Entrepreneurship and Innovation Diploma
Clovis is evaluated by Harvard Business School for the results achieved in his studies and receives a certificate of expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship.
2023 - David Copperfield in Las Vegas
Clovis reunites with his idol, David Copperfield, in Las Vegas after 30 years, to thank him for all the inspiration he received in the beginning of his career.
2023 - Advisory Board Diploma
Course on Advisory Boards for high-performance companies from the Board Academy.
2024 - The Castle Builder
Launch of his 12th book, where he talks about Disney and showcases the soft skills we need to leave a legacy in our companies.
2024 - Immersion Madrid
In November, he conducts the first Immersion Madrid, taking executives from Brazil to explore the biggest companies in Spain. Join us in April 2025!
