Kevin Benz is an experienced journalist, media leader, and professional speaker with over 30 years of experience in the journalism and media industries. He has launched two innovative media organizations, received numerous national awards for his work, and now provides leadership coaching, public speaking training, and consulting.

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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