2014 Schedule
Interactive: March 7–11  •  Film: March 7–15  •  Music: March 11–16

Breaking the Mold: How to Thrive When Allies Turn

#sxsw #breakmold

It's great to be a thought leader when your perceived allies are on your side. But how do you stay true to your ideals when allies decide you are a traitor to "the cause" and throw you to the wolves?
Whether you are a feminist who disagrees with Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" movement, a progressive leader who agrees with Bill O'Reilly, or a political influencer who decides it's better to approach opponents with love rather than vitriol, innovators and voices of influence can't afford to go along just to get along.
Well known tech mavericks, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates dissented against their peers in a different media age. Mark Zuckerberg did it before Facebook was Facebook. Most recently, Change.org pissed off the entire progressive movement to be more open and grew from 6 million users to 40 million in a year.
From dissenting against allies to sleeping with the enemy, change agents must learn how to go against the grain to maximize results or risk failure.

Presenters

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Jehmu Greene

TV Commentator & Media Trainer

Fox News

Fox News Political Analyst Jehmu Greene is an evangelist for disenfranchised and vulnerable communities. Her commentary has been featured on The Daily Show, all major news networks, and in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Rolling Stone and Essence Magazine. Together with Jose Antonio Vargas, Alicia Menendez, and Jake Brewer, Jehmu co-founded Define American to elevate the immigration conversation. She is a former President of the Women’s Media Center, has worked on over 20 political campaigns, and served as an advisor and national surrogate for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign (she prays every night Secretary Clinton will run again). Jehmu also previously served as President of Rock the Vote. Under her leadership, young voter turnout increased by 11%, the largest increase ever recorded. She consults campaigns, non-profits, and companies on media strategy and trains women and people of color on how to amplify their voices in the media. She serves on the boards of Planned Parenthood NYC Action Fund; political recruitment and training organization Vote, Run, Lead; and teenage mentoring organization Petals-n-Belles. On many days she would love to be singing country music from a stage in Nashville…a dream deferred.

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Joanne Bamberger

Editor/Publisher

Broad Side Strategies

Joanne Bamberger, author, journalist, political/media strategist & recovering attorney, is the publisher of The Broad Side, a digital magazine of women’s commentary. A new media expert & authority on women’s political involvement, Joanne has written for AOL’s Politics Daily, CNN.com, USA Today, the Washington Post, & more. Her commentary has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Good Morning America, among others. Joanne was awarded the 2013 Campaign Tech Advocacy Innovator award for her research/writing on the direct & indirect affect women in non-political online venues have on political & policy discussion. In 2011, she was one of Working Mother Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Social Media & was nominated for the Women’s Media Center Social Media Award. As a consultant, she works with various organizations to connect them women online influencers.

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Sally Kohn

Writer & TV Commentator

Movement Vision

Sally Kohn is a writer, activist and television commentator. A progressive Fox News Contributor, Sally is a regular contributor to outlets including The Daily Beast, Salon, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, More Magazine, Reuters, USA Today, Politico, Time and more. Sally also works as a communications consultant, helping grassroots organizations, businesses and leaders communicate effectively.

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