Mark Bowden (English author)

Mark Bowden is an English author on body language and human behavior. Bowden is credited with pioneering nonverbal analysis of human behavior where it pertains to influence and/or persuasion. His techniques have been used by G7 leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

His work is derived from evolutionary psychology, behavioral psychology, and embodied cognition. Most notable is Bowden's GesturePlane System, or the specific use of open palm hand gestures in what he coins as the "TruthPlane"  (the horizontal plane at navel height on the human body) to create feelings of trust, credibility, and confidence when communicating. This model was first put forward in his 2010 book, Winning Body Language.

He is also the President of The National Communication Coach Association of Canada.

Public exposure
Bowden is a commentator for national news networks on body language analysis. During US Presidential and Canadian Federal elections and debates, along with subsequent diplomatic meetings, he has commented in the press and on network news on the body language of Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Justin Trudeau, and Andrew Scheer. Bowden contributes to GQ magazine on modern male culture and behavior. He has also commented on the nonverbal behavior of Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts fighters Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones for Vox Media's SBNation.

Early life
Bowden was trained at Middlesex University, London, graduating 1991 (BA Hons, Performing Arts). Bowden studied between 1989 and 1995 in London with French masters of physical theatre and the psychology of movement, Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq; Italian Nobel Prize winner and satirical comedian, Dario Fo; Canadian improvisational theatre master, Keith Johnstone; and British acrobat Johnny Hutch MBE.

The Behavior Panel
The Behavior Panel is a YouTube channel and Merit Street Media show created in 2020. The show features a panel of experts who analyze body language and human behavior in videos of public interest.

Members:


 * Scott Rouse
 * Mark Bowden
 * Chase Hughes
 * Greg Hartley

Content and Approach:

The Behavior Panel focuses on dissecting and discussing human behavior in various forms of media, including videos, interviews, and public appearances. The panelists, who have diverse backgrounds in psychology, body language analysis, interrogation techniques, and non-verbal communication, offer insights into the thoughts, emotions, and motivations of the individuals they analyze. They emphasize a non-partisan approach, aiming to educate and entertain viewers with their expertise.

Broadcast:


 * The Behavior Panel uploads new episodes weekly to their YouTube channel.
 * As of April 2024, they also have a sister television show airing every week on Merit Street, a network launched by Dr. Phil McGraw, reaching 65 million TV homes across the USA.

Film, theatre, and TV
From 1991 to 2007 Bowden performed in film, theatre, and television, including:


 * The 1992 UK London West End premiere of Six Degrees Of Separation at the Royal Court Theatre and the Comedy Theatre.
 * Hamlet (1998).
 * A Midsummer Nights Dream (1999).
 * The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).
 * The False Corpse (2005).
 * Yin Yang Yo! (2006).
 * Afghanada (2012).
 * The Behavior Panel - YouTube (2020)
 * The Behavior Panel - Merit Street Media (2024).
 * Killer Performance (2024).

The Nike Streaker
Mark Bowden starred in the 2003 Nike Streaker Super Bowl ad, identified by AdWeek as one of the top ten soccer commercials ever made. Shot by British director, Frank Budgen at Millwall Football Club, the ad—in which a streaker (Bowden) clad only in a long scarf and a pair of Nike Shox NZ running shoes darts across the field during an English soccer game, dodging police—prompted calls and emails to Nike asking whether the incident was real. This led to Bowden being awarded a Nude of The Week in Sports Illustrated. In February, 2003, Reebok released a commercial featuring linebacker Terry Tate that parodies the Nike Streaker commercial; in the Reebok ad, Tate tackles a streaker then proclaims, "You just did it, so I had to hit it". This advertisement was one of several competitive and deliberate spoofs of the Nike Streaker Ad from rival companies.

Books

 * Mark Bowden and Tracey Thomson, Truth and Lies: What People Are Really Thinking (HarperCollins, 2018)
 * Mark Bowden, Tame the Primitive Brain: 28 Ways in 28 Days to Manage the Most Impulsive Behaviors at Work (Wiley, 2013)
 * Mark Bowden with Andrew Ford, Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals: Control the Conversation and Connect with Your Customer―without Saying a Word (McGraw-Hill, 2013)
 * Mark Bowden, Winning Body Language: Control the Conversation, Command Attention, and Convey the Right Message without Saying a Word (McGraw-Hill, 2010)