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936: Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker

Tony Hassini is well into his 80’s and has earned a time to look back at his illustrious career and all that he has done for entertainment. In the 1970’s he developed “The Magic of Burger King” which was a nationwide campaign coupling their advertising with real life characters. But before that, in 1968, Tony formed the International Magicians Society (IMS) which developed into the world’s largest magic organization that today presents the Merlin Award to deserving magicians around the world at special, high class award ceremonies.

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This conversation was recorded using Zoom prior to the annual Merlin Awards banquet that typically takes place in Las Vegas on the night following MAGIC Live! We first talk about Tony’s involvement with creating and developing the Marvelous Magical Burger King ad campaign in the 1970’s. During that time, he met Ray Croc, founder of McDonald’s, who gave him some good advice. But before the campaign was adopted, Tony created the IMS which, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, is the largest magic organization in the world.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

The winner for Week #1 was Nicolas Nardi. Congratulations, Nicolas. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com

Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley.

Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S.

We respect your privacy. Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley.

Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck.

Join us in New York this Halloween for this seminal event. I plan to be in attendance and will host one of the panel discussions. For more information, please https://newyorkmagicconference.com/

Tagged with Tony Hassini, Merlin Award, Criss Angel, awards.

October 2, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • October 2, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Tony Hassini
  • Merlin Award
  • Criss Angel
  • awards
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811: Magifest 2024 - Day One Report

Thursday 25th January 2024

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dealer’s Room Open

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Peter Samelson Lecture.

Peter Samelson will offer a new lecture on both stage and close-up magic. An expert in both arenas, this lecture will span the course of his career, along with new material.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Youth Program Welcome Event

All young magicians are welcome, and so are parents! Meet and make new friends for your exciting weekend ahead!

7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

NEW: Basecamp Welcome Meet and Greet

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Michael Feldman Lecture

To celebrate the release of his new book, "The Pages are Blank," Michael Feldman will perform and talk about his avant-garde card material. Watch out for his deck switch: it might just be the best one you've ever (not) seen.

8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

David Kaplan Show

Columbus's own David Kaplan returns to the Magifest stage, this time with his own show. A combination of magic, mime, and physical comedy, don't miss this.

10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dan Harlan Show and Lecture

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Time stamps for this episode: (to be uploaded after I’ve had some sleep)

00:00:18 -

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Posted in Convention Report and tagged with MagiFest, Columbus Ohio, Tony Hassini, Matt Stanley, Mark Doetsch, Keith Fields.

January 25, 2024 by Scott Wells.
  • January 25, 2024
  • Scott Wells
  • MagiFest
  • Columbus Ohio
  • Tony Hassini
  • Matt Stanley
  • Mark Doetsch
  • Keith Fields
  • Convention Report
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458: MagiCuba 2018 - Day One Update

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Schedule - Wednesday November 7, 2018

12:00 - 6:00 p.m. All-Day Magic at Cereceria Antigo Aimecen de la Madera y Tobaco in Habana Vieja (“Cerveceria”) - essentially, a craft brewery

3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration/Information Desk (Hotel Nacional)

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Welcome Reception (Hotel Nacional, Sala 1930)

8:00 p.m. Magic, Rum & Cigar Dinner at Hotel Sevilla (Extra Event)

10:30 p.m. Late Night Magic @ Salon Rojo

12:00 a.m. Nightcap @ Hotel Nacional Terrace

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Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:51 - Peter Rogers tells what attracted him to travel from Australia for this festival

00:06:12 - Chris Korn will be one of the performers and lecturers at this event

00:09:06 - Chris Gartner is a listener of The Magic Word Podcast ans was enticed to attend

00:12:19 - Jon Stetson is one of the hosts and organizers of MagiCuba and talks about some of the challenges facing the event. During the end of our conversation we are greeted by Asi Wind, Mitch Praver and Eric Mead.

00:24:56 - At the evening opening party, we chat with Ashley and Michael Trixx about this convention and others he has recently attended.

00:28:50 - Scott Wells recaps the evening “Cigars and Rum dinner” extra-cost event.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Please support The Magic Word Podcast by buying your next magic trick from ThePerfectTrick.com and please include a note telling them you heard it here on The Magic Word.

Please support The Magic Word Podcast by buying your next magic trick from ThePerfectTrick.com and please include a note telling them you heard it here on The Magic Word.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with MagiCuba, Havana, Cuba, Chris Korn, Chris Gartner, Asi Wind, Eric Mead, Jon Stetson, Peter Rogers, Michael Trixx.

November 15, 2018 by Scott Wells.
  • November 15, 2018
  • Scott Wells
  • MagiCuba
  • Havana
  • Cuba
  • Chris Korn
  • Chris Gartner
  • Asi Wind
  • Eric Mead
  • Jon Stetson
  • Peter Rogers
  • Michael Trixx
  • Convention Report
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

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Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears
Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la
Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking
Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi
Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat
Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 #
Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas
T.A.O.M. 2025 Convention Report - No episode today, but watch and listen late Saturday night for a combined report of a day and a half of events from the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Dallas, Texas, featuring chats with registrants, ta
Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 # Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas T.A.O.M. 2025 Convention Report - No episode today, but watch and listen late Saturday night for a combined report of a day and a half of events from the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Dallas, Texas, featuring chats with registrants, ta

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