The largest brand name in the world today is BARACK OBAMA. Despite the many perceived insurmountable obstacles to attain the highest seat in the land (name recognition, name “discrimination”, not enough exposure and not enough experience and questionable associations) the team for Barack Obama achieved the ultimate ROI for their client. He was elected the 44th President of the United States of America.

Embracing diversity was a key element to the success of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. His team, lead by campaign manger - David Plouffe, recognized the value of building and properly managing culturally diverse teams of people as being a vital component for success. After the election, the importance of diversity and inclusion continues to be an essential part of President Obama’s “best practices” and is evident in his initial cabinet nominations as well as his choices for participants in his inaugural event. David Plouffe will share insights on the “No Drama” approach taken for his client to achieve the Ultimate ROI. The lynch pin to their success was building diverse teams which can be adapted by any organization.

David Plouffe:

David Plouffe, 41, was raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He was a political science major at the University of Delaware from 1985-1988, a semester short of graduating when he opted for a career in politics. From 1999-2000 he was the executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, raising $95 million for House races across the country.

In 2000 he joined AKP&D Message and Media and become a partner in 2004. It was from here that he and a fellow partner, David Axelrod were tapped to work with Barack Obama on his 2004 Illinois Senate campaign. The association continued and Plouffe is credited with Obama’s successful overall strategy in the 2008 presidential race. In his acceptance speech, Obama said: “To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.”