Ira Blumenthal is an international business development expert, focusing on the globalization that is so important in today's business world. His consulting firm caters to companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Wal-Mart.

Blending ideas, information, solutions and purposeful humor in a format he calls "edu-tainment", Ira's messages are focused on building success through alliances, branding and capitalizing on change in business and in life. Walking and working the room, Ira never uses a podium.  He is "a master at fostering audience excitement and interaction"; "oftentimes uses creative props, music and handouts" and diligently studies each speaking client in order to develop a customized, 'signature' speech for each event.

Ira has written many articles on change, marketing, business development, strategic alliances, branding, and other subjects and is the recipient of "The George Washington Honor Medal" for literary excellence. He is the author of Ready, Blame, Fire: Myths and Misses in Marketing.

Ira has been the focus of features and quoted in a wide range of media sources such as The Wall Street Journal, BrandWeek, Entrepreneur, USA Today, People magazine, CNN, and more.

As an entrepreneur, Ira created and development the first branded food court in an American supermarket. He was also the creator of both "Brand Building for Your Future," a history-making branding conference, as well as "Strategic Alliances for a Brand-New World," an innovative educational exposition on strategic alliances.

Although he is a highly successful veteran of food industry sales, marketing and management with multi-national companies such as Sara Lee, Ira's viewpoints and vision on business building apply to all industries. And his wide range of experience gives him a broad base of knowledge to draw on and share in his speeches. For instance, Ira was a record-breaking athlete and member of a collegiate national championship team. He was also a college coach and pro sports team manager.