gtn college speaker update 2011
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GTN's top college programs for 2010-2011TRANSCRIPT
A line that wraps around the auditorium.
Standing room only. Buzz around campus, from the student newspaper to national publications. An
energized student body engaged in dialogue. A faculty of impressed administrators and professors.
For nearly 30 years, we’ve helped colleges and universities around the globe meet and exceed their
campus activity goals. Year after year, we proudly unveil the hottest new programs and trends in the
industry, so your college is on the cutting edge of programming.
Our college agents have their fingers on the pulse of campus trends in a wide variety of
student groups, from campus activities boards to diversity month celebrations.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but words have the power to change lives. Our speakers are
proven crowd pleasers that command standing ovations, bring audiences to the edge of their seats and
inspire you to change the world. We are honored to be a part of your speaker process this year and look
forward to working with you.
For us, the big picture is
Your Successful Event.
Exclusively Represented by GTN (212) 645-4200 www.greatertalent.com1
Collins Tuohy Page 3
Apolo Ohno Page 3
K’naan Page 4
Meghan McCainPage 7
Rebecca Skloot Page 4
Valerie Plame Wilson Page 9 Sebastian Junger Page 9
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Collins TuohySubject of The Blind Sidewww.greatertalent.com/CollinsTuohy
Collins Tuohy shares a famously close bond with her adopted brother Michael Oher. As chronicled in The Blind Side, it began when she first met Michael in the hallways of Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Tuohy family’s life, as chronicled in Michael Lewis’ New York Times number one best-seller The Blind Side, went on to become a record-breaking Hollywood blockbuster that earned more than $260 million at the box office and became the number-one opening weekend for a sports film in history.
At the podium, Collins takes audiences through her journey with Michael from fellow student to close friend, confidant, and ultimately, adoptive sister.
Picture Inspiration
The Godfathers of Going Green
A Role Model For the Next Generation
Apolo OhnoEight-Time Olympic Medalist &
The Most Decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in History
www.greatertalent.com/ApoloOhno
Proving Anything is Possible
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Free Ice Cream for the Entire Audience!
Ben Cohen & Jerry GreenfieldCo-Founders of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc.www.greatertalent.com/BenAndJerry
3
NACA’s 2011 National
Convention Keynote Speaker!
Picture UnityK’naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag” was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Now an international sensation, “Wavin’ Flag” became a #1 hit single around the world and K’naan’s debut on the world stage drew more than 700 million viewers across the globe, inspiring nations to come together and celebrate a future of peace and possibility.
K’naan, along with his mother and three siblings, were able to leave their homeland of Somalia and join relatives in New York City before settling in Canada. There, K’naan began learning English. Despite the fact that he could not yet speak the language, the young K’naan taught himself hip hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically.
One Song, 700 Million Voices Strong
Author Warren St. John & Coach Luma MuflehThe Story of The Fugees Soccer Teamwww.greatertalent.com/WarrenStJohn www.greatertalent.com/LumaMufleh
How We are All “Outcasts United”
Rebecca SklootScience Writer & Best-Selling Author,The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lackswww.greatertalent.com/RebeccaSkloot
The Story that Changed Modern Medicine
K’naan World Cup Anthem Rapper, Singer & Songwriterwww.greatertalent.com/Knaan
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Dubbed “a born storyteller” by LA Weekly, Brett Ratner first dreamed of making movies as a child growing up in Miami Beach, Florida. Now the 16th highest grossing film director in history with more than $1 billion in career box office sales, Ratner has broken numerous records and directed more than 100 music videos.
Ratner’s archetypal journey from Miami dreamer to Hollywood mogul comes to life through his signature charm and action-packed storytelling style. Famous for his effortless comedic timing and humorous perspective on success, Ratner encourages audiences to look beyond obstacles and never take no for an answer. Also a prominent and influential figure in the Jewish community, Ratner shares how his shameless chutzpah propelled him into overwhelming success.
Max BrooksPre-eminent Zombie Expert & Best-Selling Author
www.greatertalent.com/MaxBrooks
The World’s Pre-eminent Zombie Expert
Hollywood’s Boldest Filmmaker
Brett Ratner Renowned Director, Producer & Entrepreneurwww.greatertalent.com/BrettRatner
Michael UslanBatman Executive Producer & Comic Book Historianwww.greatertalent.com/MichaelUslan
The Man Behind “Batman”
Picture Creativity
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Picture Laughter
Alan ZweibelRenowned Writer of Saturday Night Live & Curb Your Enthusiasmwww.greatertalent.com/AlanZweibel
The King of Sketch Comedy
Mo RoccaCBS News Correspondent & Television Personality www.greatertalent.com/MoRocca
“Fake” News vs. “Real” News
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After several years of doing stand-up, improv and commercials, Mike Henry met Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, in 1995 while acting in his brother’s student films at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Henry went on to become a writer on Family Guy for the series’ first six seasons. He voices many of the characters he created, including Cleveland, Cleveland Jr., Herbert, Consuela, the Performance Artist, and the Greased-Up Deaf Guy.
At the podium, Henry takes audiences behind the scenes of Family Guy and The Cleveland Show with never-before-seen clips and hilarious outtakes. He also shares in how he developed some of the programs’ funniest characters.
The Vision Behind The Cleveland Show
Mike Henry Writer, Producer of Family Guy & Co-Creator of The Cleveland Showwww.greatertalent.com/MikeHenry
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Valerie Plame Wilson “Outed” CIA Operations Officer & Best-Selling Author of Fair Gamewww.greatertalent.com/ValeriePlameWilson
As a covert CIA Operations Officer, Valerie Plame Wilson worked to protect America’s national security and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Without warning, in 2003 she found herself at the heart of a political firestorm when senior White House and State Department officials revealed her secret status to several national journalists — including a syndicated conservative newspaper columnist who published her name.
Wilson discusses Fair Game, sharing her thoughts on what she views as unprecedented abuse of public trust by the Bush administration in its efforts to silence a critic and subvert the right of citizens to exercise free speech. Wilson also speaks alongside her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, and together they lay out the CIA leak controversy in an incisive and enlightening presentation.
Picture Courage
The Spy Who Inspired “Fair Game”
Sebastian JungerAward-Winning Journalist & Best-Selling Author of
The Perfect Storm & WAR
www.greatertalent.com/SebastianJunger
Reporting from the Front Lines of Afghanistan
Emmanuel JalFormer Sudanese Child Soldier & Hip-Hop Artistwww.greatertalent.com/EmmanuelJal
Rapping for Freedom
Picture AcceptanceAnthony Rapp Star of Rent & Author of Without Youwww.greatertalent.com/AnthonyRapp
Rapp takes audiences through his career, the loss of his friend and Rent playwright Jonathan Larson and his mother’s battle with cancer. In an insightful exploration of the social importance of the show, Rapp highlights the role Rent played in thrusting LGBT, HIV/AIDS and poverty issues into the national spotlight.
In an additional program, Rapp performs a VH1: Behind the Music style show, blending personal stories from his career, musical numbers from his several Broadway and off-Broadway roles, and original hits from his band, Albinokid. Also, for active theatre programs, Rapp is available for Master’s acting workshops.
Marlee MatlinAcademy Award-Winning Actress & Activist
www.greatertalent.com/MarleeMatlin
Live Generously and Follow Your Dreams
Esera TuaoloNFL Veteran & LGBT Role Model
www.greatertalent.com/EseraTuaolo
Staying True to Yourself
Love, Loss and the Musical
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Harold Ford, Jr. & Michael SteeleLeading America Forwardwww.greatertalent.com/FordSteele
As prominent leaders representing both sides of the political spectrum, Democratic Leadership Council Chairman Harold Ford, Jr. and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele engage audiences in the most hot-button issues facing every American: stability in the Middle East, domestic security, energy policy, healthcare and education reform, military transformation and the economy.
In conversation, Ford and Steele discuss diversifying America’s energy sources; overhauling U.S. healthcare and education systems; re-establishing our moral authority through diplomacy; strengthening America’s international reputation; resurrecting our economic health and integrity; modernizing our military assets and strategy; managing sustainable levels of government spending and establishing entitlement, regulatory and tax reform.
Picture Tomorrow
Mayor Cory BookerMayor of Newark, New Jersey
www.greatertalent.com/CoryBooker
Changing a City, Inspiring a Nation
Meghan McCainPolitical Columnist, Author & Award-Winning Bloggerwww.greatertalent.com/MeghanMcCain
Bringing a New Perspective to Politics
On the Future of America: Left, Right & Forward
Picture PerspectiveJonathan AlterNewsweek Senior Editor & NBC News Correspondentwww.greatertalent.com/JonathanAlter
Jonathan Alter is an award winning columnist, television analyst and author. Since 1991, Alter has written a widely acclaimed Newsweek column that examines politics, media and social and global issues. For more than a decade, he has worked as a contributing correspondent to NBC News.
Known at the podium for his insight, wit and first-hand anecdotes, Alter offers an incisive, entertaining and always compelling view of national and world affairs, and how media and politics interact. His presentation is as fresh as the day’s headlines, but informed by a deep knowledge of history and a razor-sharp analytical mind.
Byron PittsCBS News Chief National Correspondent,
Contributing Correspondent, 60 Minutes &
Author, Step Out On Nothing
www.greatertalent.com/ByronPitts
Conquering ChallengesLesley StahlLegendary Broadcast Journalist and Co-Editor of 60 Minuteswww.greatertalent.com/LesleyStahl
The Voice of “60 Minutes”
Go Behind-the-Scenes of the White House
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w w w . g r e a t e r t a l e n t . c o mTalent Matters, Exclusivity Counts
Founded with the belief that words have the ability to change people’s lives, Greater Talent Network is devoted to bringing the most interesting and inspiring stories to audiences worldwide.
GLOBAL AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES: Spencer Abraham • Cory Booker • Wesley Clark • Richard Clarke • Roger Cressey • Monica Crowley
& Alan Colmes • Adrian Fenty • Harold Ford, Jr. • Louis Freeh • Brigitte Gabriel • Richard Gephardt •
Alberto Gonzales • Zachary Karabell • Bernard Kouchner • Meghan McCain • Judge Andrew Napolitano •
Vali Nasr • Ehud Olmert • Reza Pahlavi • George Pataki • Janet Reno • Dan Senor • Valerie Plame Wilson
• Joseph Wilson
PRINT AND BROADCAST JOURNALISM: Jonathan Alter • Tiki Barber • Campbell Brown • Tina Brown • Sir Harold Evans • Joshua Foer • Susie
Gharib • Christopher Hitchens • Sebastian Junger • Steve Kroft • Kati Marton • Peggy Noonan • Byron
Pitts • Lesley Stahl • Jeffrey Toobin • Ali Velshi • Gideon Yago
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: Neal Baer • Bob Balaban • John Forté • Danny Glover • Carson Kressley • Seth MacFarlane • Leonard
Nimoy • Conan O’Brien • Anthony Rapp • Brett Ratner • Mo Rocca • Peter Sagal • David Steinberg • Ben
Vereen • Max Weinberg • Vanessa Williams • Henry Winkler • Anthony Zuiker • Alan Zweibel
MOTIVATION, INSPIRATION, ADVENTURE: Kris Carr • John Douglas • Mia Farrow • George Foreman • Emmanuel Jal • Rory Kennedy • Marcus
Luttrell • Marlee Matlin • T.K. Mattingly • Luma Mufl eh • Petra Nemcova • Michael Oher • Apolo Anton
Ohno • Nell Irvin-Painter • Capt. Winston Scott • Caroll Spinney • Esera Tuaolo • The Tuohy Family
BUSINESS, ECONOMY, MANAGEMENT: Ben & Jerry • Mark Burnett • Paul DePodesta • Donald Fehr • Susie Gharib • Seth Godin • Peter Greenberg
• Peter Guber • Mitch Joel • Liz Lange • Cynthia Rowley • Michael Silverstein • Howard Stringer • James
Taylor • Jonathan Tisch • Omar Wasow • Meredith Whitney
BEST SELLING AUTHORS:Po Bronson • Max Brooks • Christopher Buckley • Candace Bushnell • Neil Gaiman • Pete Hamill • Homer
Hickam • Oscar Hijuelos • Michael Lewis • Wendy Mogel • Michael Moore • PJ O’Rourke • Richard Preston
• Rebecca Skloot • Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez • Jennifer Weiner • Tom Wolfe
Founded with the belief that words have the ability to change people’s lives, Greater Talent Network is devoted to bringing the most interesting and inspiring stories to audiences worldwide.