Ira Blumenthal
Ira Blumenthal is the president of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., an Atlanta-based consulting company that has counseled world class clients such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Kroger, McDonald's, Harrah's, American Airlines, Disney, United Artists, Marriott, Exxon, Wal-Mart and others in areas related to branding, strategic alliances, marketing, change management, re-invention and success.
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Topics:
- Branding /
- Marketing /
- Strategy /
- Change Management
Ira Blumenthal is the president of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., an Atlanta-based consulting company that has counseled world class clients such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Kroger, McDonald's, Harrah's, American Airlines, Disney, United Artists, Marriott, Exxon, Wal-Mart and others in areas related to branding, strategic alliances, marketing, change management, re-invention and success.
Ira is a published author. His successful first book, Ready, Blame, Fire! focuses on the "myths and misses in marketing." He is also the recipient of the coveted "George Washington Honor Medal For Literary Excellence" (Freedoms Foundation). Ira has written and published over 100 magazine articles on business development. He has also received numerous business and civic awards and honors, including The Educational Foundation's highest honor for his contributions to "spirited, innovative business education."
The former host of a popular radio talk show ("SuccessTalk"), Ira has interviewed guest "success stories" such as General Colin Powell, Mario Andretti, Tommy Lasorda and other notables. Ira has also served as visiting university instructor at the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. Guest lecturing at many institutions, Ira also delivered the commencement program at the University of Houston's Conrad Hilton School of Business. Ira was also honored being named the "first" Executive-In-Residence at Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business where he oversees the prestigious hospitality industry executive council.
Delivering over 75 speeches annually, Ira has served as the "opener" for leaders such as President George Bush (Sr.), General Colin Powell, Tommy Lasorda, Bob Dole, Lech Walesa and Henry Kissinger and has lectured on four continents. Recognized as a visionary business development expert, Ira has been quoted and featured in media sources such as "The Wall Street Journal", "USA Today", CNN, "BrandWeek", "Entrepreneur Magazine", "Executive Excellence", "Marketing News" and more.
On a personal note, Ira is a committed leader in the fight against hunger, as well as a tireless community activist and youth coach. In his own youth, he was a "World Cup" athlete and a collegiate Football and Lacrosse coach. Originally from New York, Ira resides in Hot-lanta, Georgia with his red-head Missouri bride, Kim. He is the father of two daughters and three sons.
- Strength In Numbers: Whether you call it finding business development "synergies," or working together in "symbiotic relationships," or building "joint ventures" and "partnerships", or the moniker "Strategic Alliances," this is a very important educational presentation. This presentation explores ways industries and companies can build their businesses through a strength-in-numbers approach to development. Alliances provide participants access to additional value, efficiency and growth through sharing a collaboration. "Strength In Numbers" explains both the rationale and the hands-on "how to's" of alliance creation, development and implementation.
- Change Is Inevitable - Growth Is Optional (has also been presented as Dynamo or Dinosaur? Distinction or Extinction? Challenges and Choices): There is one constant in life. . .change! Change isn't new, however, the incredible speed of change is new. Eastern Airlines was the number two carrier in the United States literally months before declaring bankruptcy. Howard Johnson's barely exists. Dinosaurs no longer walk and stalk the Earth. They, and many companies (and industries), have gone from distinction to extinction. Why? Simply put, they failed to adapt and adjust to change. This high-energy, interactive keynote speech (customized and personalized to each industry and company it is presented to) focuses on "change" and offers hands-on, high-content information on effectively adapting, adjusting and even capitalizing on change. "Participants" will understand the key guiding principles for being a "change master."
- 2008. . .A Business Building Odyssey: What is the logical and likely "future" of business development? That is the threshold question answered in this speech. The future of the consumer, manufacturing, marketing, merchandising, promoting, technology, selling, advertising, public relations, strategic alliances, business planning, positioning, distribution, logistics and more are explored and explained. Through video, slides, "props," audience interaction, presenting compelling imperatives for success, as well as a list of the core competencies companies (and careers) will need to master in order to succeed in the future.
- Succeeding On A Reshaped Battlefield: Clearly, the most important prefix in the world of business development has to be "re-." Reposition, reinvent, reshape, redefine, refine, re-market, reconsider, reinvigorate, etc. There is only one rule in business development these days, and that one rule is . . . There are no rules!
- Rock n' Roll On The American BrandStand: Products are consumed. Brands are purchased! Using background music from the 1950's, 60's, 70's . . . even the 80's, the focal points of this speech follow: What is a brand? What is "branding"? What are the benefits and advantages of brands/branding? What makes for a successful brand development program? What do terms such as "brand equity", "brand essence", "brand extension" mean? What are examples of successful and unsuccessful branding? What are the most important ways a brand can extend its reach and presence? How important are strategies such as "co-branding," "sub-branding," "signature branding," "umbrella branding?" America eats Jell-O, not gelatin dessert. We blow our noses into Kleenex, not tissue. We make photocopies on IBM machines but call them Xerox copies. We hot tub in Jacuzzi's, wear Swatch on our watches, Nike on our shoes and Lee on our jeans. Like it or not, we are in a branded world. All aboard . . . the American BrandStand!
- A: Alliances (Strategic Alliances, Partnering)
- B: Branding (Brand-Building Strategies)
- C: Change (Capitalizing On Change)
Every great work of art, industry and science came about because someone looked at the world differently . . . someone redefined the rules. Today we're confronted with business as unusual. We're in an age that requires a strong focus on a wide range of "re," "re" and more "re." This high-energy, interactive keynote (customized to each industry and company Ira works with and for) explores the incredible battlefield changes in business today. Participants will not only learn about the new battlefields and battles . . . but also acquire an arsenal of necessary skills and strategies to succeed on important new battlefields.
The A-B-C's of Business Success:
