For the second consecutive year, CoSIDA will welcome to its annual Convention noted strategic and crisis communications expert Ben Porritt, partner of the Outside Eyes consulting firm specializing in public strategy and crisis management.
As a partner of Outside Eyes, Porritt has worked with companies and brands of varying sizes, advising them on corporate strategy ranging from corporate rollouts and grassroots marketing to brand development and crisis management. He is regarded by many political and corporate leaders as one of the nation’s top crisis media experts and has handled high profile crises including the biggest indictment in the history of the U.S. Government, MLB steroid cases and multiple NCAA investigations.
Porritt will address the Convention goers on Monday morning, June 27 on a day entitled "Gaining Influence within the Intercollegiate Community." Porritt kicks off the day's dynamic programming with his talk on "
Gaining Influence in Intercollegiate Athletics - Identifying Your Steps."
Porritt has worked with the media on national and regional scale and serves as a regular on-air contributor for MSNBC, FOX and ESPN. He also is a professor of crisis communications at the University of Miami. Prior to joining Outside Eyes, Porritt served as the Press Secretary for the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, as Deputy Communication Director for Department of Justice, and as Deputy Press Secretary for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Last year, Porritt addressed CoSIDA Convention attendees in San Francisco during "Strategic Communications Day." His presentation - to a packed ballroom - focused on strategic communications and crisis communications scenarios, issues and best practices.
“Strategic communications is the hottest commodity in business, sports and politics and those of us who have the drive and skill set can take advantage,” said Porritt. “National events like CoSIDA where professionals and insiders can share their best practices is a huge opportunity for anyone in the profession.”
Following Porritt's presentation on June 27, a dual session on "How to Get a Seat in the Board Room" follows, featuring University and College Division panels with select AD's and key athletic leaders.
The CoSIDA Kickoff Luncheon follows with
keynote speaker Amy P. Perko, Executive Director of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and a Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Famer, giving the opening address. Next, CoSIDA welcomes
featured presenter Lou Holtz, ESPN TV broadcaster and legendary coach, who will discuss his game plan for gaining influence.
Later Monday afternoon, Porritt return to the address the convention attendees. He will serve on a three-member panel on "Gaining Influence through Crisis and Strategic Communications" along with Scott Strickland, Mississippi State University Director of Athletics and a former SID, and Dr. Bill Smith, University of Arkansas Assistant AD/New Media who will introduce the panelists.
Prior to his Outside Eyes position, Porritt was a public face of the McCain-Palin campaign, serving as a national spokesman and senior advisor to the candidates during the 2008 presidential election. Porritt also worked for President George W. Bush as a campaign spokesman and as the Press Secretary to the United States House Majority Leader, a position defined by the New York Times as the third most difficult in Washington, DC.
Prior to his service on Capitol Hill, Porritt served in the communications department for the Department of Justice and as Deputy Press Secretary for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee. Porritt also served as a spokesman during the 2004 presidential campaign and managed the presidential debate war room. Prior to working on the campaign, Porritt worked for President Bush’ communication department.
Porritt earned a Masters in business administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelors of science in political science and history from Bradley University. He currently resides in South Florida.
2011 CoSIDA Convention
Sunday-Wednesday, June 26-29, Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, FL
The four-day schedule and workshop features some of the most innovative programming CoSIDA has staged yet, and some of the most eloquent and poignant speakers in the collegiate community. The highlight of the Convention schedule includes the following daily programs:
• Gaining Influence within the Intercollegiate Community (Monday, June 27)
• Today’s Collegiate Communications & Role Development (Tuesday, June 28)
• Innovative Strategies for a Digital World (Wednesday, June 29)