About The Author

Keith Ritter leads Keith Ritter Media, a consulting firm headquartered in Clayton, NC. The firm’s clients include media companies both large and small as well as technology firms, manufacturers, and other consultants who require his expertise. He’s also a partner in Startmesh, a global venture catalyst. He recently added “franchise consultant” to his resume as he matches franchises with people looking to change their lives and work for themselves.

People who know and work with Keith describe him as a natural communicator, influential presenter, and effective team builder. Over the past 35 years, Keith honed his talents to become a thought leader in all forms of media, marketing, and sales. Keith brings a wealth of communication, presentation and team building skills to the table along with a solid track record of nurturing solid relationships with strategic partners.  He’s a consensus builder and has worked across multiple organizational levels. In short, he’s a savvy, resourceful senior executive, with expertise in technology, consumer behavior, and all forms of media.

In 2008, Keith launched Keith Ritter Media.  Since that time he has worked with companies large and small.  He helps his clients “find out” by helping them to discover and focus on their business goals while not getting caught up in the ever-changing technical tools that be distractions from business goals.  While the emphasis is on digital media in all forms, Keith’s executive background in all forms of media has served his clients well.

Prior to opening his consulting firm, Keith guided the digital businesses of the National Hockey League for nearly seven years, including NHL.com, the NHL.com Network, NHL Wireless, data and content licensing, interactive TV, and video on demand. Despite having a year when the NHL did not play at all, he and his team grew revenues 500% in 6 fiscal years. He negotiated groundbreaking agreements for monetization of NHL content with AOL, MSN, Yahoo, Sympatico, YouTube, Joost, Sling, Apple, and others. His strategic thinking and management helped to position the NHL as one of the most “tech-savvy” sports leagues.

Before his time at the NHL, Keith spent nearly 25 years with ABC and CBS (mostly in the sports division of each network) where he gained a comprehensive knowledge of network and local television. He made personal sales calls on hundreds of national advertisers and their agencies and worked with leagues, national governing bodies, event organizers, and other broadcasters.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Connecticut College in New London, Keith has spoken before dozens of major meetings including The International Sports Summit, the Sports Media and Technology Conference, the Digital Sports Expo, The Sponsorship Forum,the SGMA Super Show, the Copyright Society of the US, the National Retail Merchants Association, and the American Marketing Association Sports Marketing Conference. He has taught at the NYU Sports Marketing Graduate Certificate Program, the NYU Summer Sports Marketing Program, the University of Kentucky Sports Marketing Program, the Arizona State University Sports Marketing Graduate Program and on Connecticut College Alumni Career Panels.