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, Henry Kissinger and others…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. . .is a tireless community activist and youth coach. . .and in his own youth, was a "World Cup" athlete, as well as 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.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
Managing Brand You (Personal Branding)
What if you thought of yourself as a brand? Everyone struggles with what they stand for… or what they’d like to stand for… Each one of us is a brand. This speech focuses on the disciplines of business branding and applies them to the process of crafting, developing, extending, managing and protecting your most important brand… “Brand You!” Ideal for business executives, sales professionals, even non-business audiences… this is an interactive, high-energy, fun-filled educational (and inspirational) speech (and workshop) experience. What if you thought of yourself as a brand?

Strength In Numbers (Strategic Alliances)
Call it business development synergies, joint ventures, partnering, or strategic alliances… there is truly “strength in numbers!” This highly interactive keynote educates and motivates companies of all sizes (entrepreneurial, second tier, mid-size, multi-national) on the importance, power and viability of alliances. After all, we are fast-moving into “The Age of Collaboration.” Collaborative advantage leads to competitive advantage.

Change Is Inevitable. Growth Is Optional. (Change, Re-invention)
There is one constant in life (and business)… change! Yet, change is not new. What is new is the incredible speed of change. Industries, companies and careers have gone from “distinction” to “extinction” because of their inability to adapt, adjust and master change. This session offers a high-content, high-energy, “hands on” approach to embracing, as well as capitalizing on change in business building. After all, change is to business what oxygen is to life.

Brand-Building For Your Future (Branding)
Products are consumed. Brands are purchased. In our branded world, we make Xerox copies, blow our nose in Kleenex, snack on Jell-O, relax in the Jacuzzi and cover wounds with Band-Aids. From Nike on our hats to Tommy on our shirts to Swatch on our watches and Starbucks in our cups, branding is critical to business development. This session focuses on the philosophy, strategy, guiding principles and “best practices” to create, build, maintain and manage brand success. After all, regardless of what your title is, everyone’s a brand manager… Great examples, provocative anecdotes and purposeful humor make this a great session, especially when customized for the industry, client and event. Everyone’s a brand manager!

Myths and Misses in Marketing (Marketing, Business Development)
Based on Ira’s book, “Ready, Blame, Fire!”, this energetic speech (or workshop) focuses on challenging conventional wisdom. Targeting the fourteen greatest “myths” in marketing (i.e. “Bigger Is Better!”, “Close Enough Is Good Enough,” “The First One In Wins,” “It Won’t Happen Here!,” etc.), participants learn from history (the “misses”) and gain a well-defined understanding of the “compelling imperatives” for success in a complex, highly competitive business climate. The focus of this session is on business development, quantum leap growth, alternative channels of distribution and marketing success.

The DNA of Success (Success)
In business and in life, success (and fulfillment) is not an accident. Using dynamic messages on success from his talk show interviews with “success stories” such as Colin Powell, Mario Andretti, Debbi Fields, Tommy Lasorda and others, as well as his diverse business career, Ira provides audiences with the compelling imperatives for success, fulfillment and peak performance. Filled with “best practice” examples, provocative anecdotes and purposeful humor, this is a high-appeal speech with great content. The company (and career) on top of the mountain didn’t fall there!