Ira Blumenthal

Ira Blumenthal collects quotations, demonstrating his appreciation for wisdom and insights shared through language. His favorite saying, “The true measure of a man is how many lives he can jam into one lifetime…” aptly describes his multifaceted career. Blumenthal's diverse roles have included being a college football and lacrosse coach, business executive, consultant, talk show host, university professor, public speaker, author, and philanthropist.

Blumenthal is recognized as a subject matter expert in branding, marketing strategy, strategic alliances, and business development. He has imparted his knowledge in helping corporations, associations, and individuals navigate through changes, challenges, and chaos, as highlighted in his speech "Your Best is Next." After roles as the CMO of a division of Sara Lee and President of a $300-million food company, he founded CO-OPPORTUNITIES, an Atlanta-based consulting firm that has served major companies like Nestle, Tyson, and more. Notably, Blumenthal has been a continually retained consultant by the Coca-Cola Company for 26 years, the longest in its history, and has received "The Key Person Award," the highest honor in the food industry.

An accomplished author, Blumenthal has published over 200 magazine articles and three books, including "Ready, Blame, Fire!" and the bestseller "Managing Brand You." His literary contributions earned him "The George Washington Honor Medal for Literary Excellence" from the Freedoms Foundation. He has been featured in prominent media outlets such as CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Blumenthal has also made significant contributions to academia and philanthropy. He has served as a visiting professor at various institutions, was the "Executive In Residence" at Georgia State University, and presided over Ted Turner’s "Captain Planet Foundation". Additionally, he co-founded and serves on the Executive Council of Janie’s Fund with Steven Tyler, supporting programs for "at risk" and "abused" girls. He is also on the board of Blaze, The Legacy Paralympic Organization.

With over 2500 speeches delivered on 5 continents, Blumenthal is a dynamic and motivational public speaker, known for his capacity to engage a wide range of audiences both onsite and virtually. He has opened for notable figures such as both President Bushes and General Colin Powell. His speeches blend educational content with interactive elements and humor, making him a sought-after speaker and panel moderator globally.

Originally from New York, Blumenthal now resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kim. They have five children and ten grandchildren. A quote from Mark Twain resonates deeply with him, reflecting on the significant moments in life: “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you found out why.” As a modern-day Renaissance man, Blumenthal has certainly found his "why," continuously striving to make impactful contributions across various fields.