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Kevin’s career in journalism, marketing and sales informs his

leadership, media performance and skills coaching. He understands the challenge of excellent performance

under tight deadlines.

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Kevin Benz is well known as an inspiring, engaging speaker and professional trainer. He’s presented to thousands of industry leaders and mentored hundreds one-on-one while working at the highest levels of media and business.

Lauded as a media trailblazer and innovator – Kevin’s journalism and entrepreneurial media experience sets him apart from others in the field, lending an understanding of what journalists need and the real world issues facing leaders and staff. His understanding of the news media and how to leverage its unique power is based upon his 30 years experience as a journalist.

Kevin launched two of the most innovative media organizations in the country — News 8 Austin, a 24-hour local news channel; and CultureMap Austin, the most read digital lifestyle magazine of the city.

A University of Texas graduate, Kevin began his career in broadcast journalism as a nationally recognized, award-winning news photographer at KTBC-TV in Austin, Texas; WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina and KPRC-TV in Houston where he also worked as an MMJ.

In 1999 Kevin launched News 8 Austin serving as News Director over 11 years. In that time News 8 Austin and Weather on the 8’s became the most-recognized news and weather brands in the city.

CultureMap Austin launched in 2011. As Editor in chief, Kevin and his team built a digital magazine that quickly became the most read culture and lifestyle source in the city. Promoted to General Manager, Kevin took over marketing and sales, creating a sustainable business.

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Kevin’s teams received national recognition with two Sigma Delta Chi awards, the National Edward R. Murrow award, three National Walter Cronkite awards for excellence in Political Journalism and was a finalist for the DuPont-Columbia Award. Kevin’s personal honors also include national awards from the National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) and the Western Heritage award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Kevin is former Chairman of the Radio, Television, Digital News Association (formerly RTNDA); a Poynter Institute leadership fellow and visiting faculty member and a fellow, trainer and former Board Chair for the Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism. He also served as Chairman of the Texas Associated Press Broadcaster’s board and is a founder of the Southwest Broadcast Newsroom Workshops.

A dynamic, entertaining speaker as well as an insightful trainer, Kevin facilitates workshops and seminars around the country on media performance, live presentation, business culture, crisis communications, leadership, media messaging, journalism ethics and news management.

Kevin Benz, Principal (512) 550-5550

kevin@i-mediastrategies.com i-mediastrategies.com

About Kevin Benz