Ido Aharoni to Speak at the University of Southern California

Contact: Brian Tenenbaum • University of Southern California  • brian.tenenbaum305@gmail.com / • Hillel Kurlandsky • Caravan for Democracy • 323-964-1400 • hkurlandsky@jnf.org

October 31, 2007 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Ido Aharoni will address students and faculty at the University of Southern California on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. 

A member of Israel’s Foreign Service, Aharoni was recently appointed as the head of Israel’s brand management team in Jerusalem. 

He will be speaking about the “Brand Israel” project, a marketing campaign to promote a 21st century image of Israel beyond the conflict, highlighting the country’s medical, scientific and technological accomplishments and stressing its relevance as a modern, innovative country.   

Aharoni will visit the school as a speaker for Caravan for Democracy, an initiative of Jewish National Fund and Media Watch International that drives constructive dialogue on college campuses throughout the United States by bringing speakers representing a wide spectrum of political and philosophical thought from Israel to discuss the issues affecting Israel, how it is covered in the media, and its unique role as the only democracy in the Middle East.

The lecture will take place in Von Kleinsmid Center (VKC) room 150, located at 3518 Trousdale Parkway, and will be followed by a question and answer session.  Students are encouraged to pre-register for the event at http://www.caravanfordemocracy.org/. 

“As a student at USC and a fellow for Caravan for Democracy, I am very excited to host Mr. Aharoni,” said Brian Tenenbaum, one of two fellows responsible for coordinating Caravan programming on USC’s campus. “It is important for students to interact with professionals who have experience working towards diplomatic solutions in the Middle East. Hosting speakers like Mr. Aharoni and creating an open forum for discussion will go a long way towards breaking student apathy on campus and inspiring the next generation of campus leaders to become world leaders.”

Aharoni has been a member of Israel’s Foreign Service since the summer of 1991. During his time with Israel’s diplomatic service, he held two overseas positions in Los Angeles and New York.  In the spring of 2006 Aharoni was appointed to serve as a senior advisor to Israel's Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister, Tzipi Livni, a position he held until September of 2007.

Until the summer of 2005, he served as Israel’s Consul for Media and Public Affairs at Israel's Consulate General in New York and the tri-state area.  He assumed this position in the summer of 2001, several weeks prior to the terror attacks of 9/11. As the head of the department, Aharoni oversaw the operation of Israel's largest public affairs and media relations apparatus worldwide and supervised the work of its 15 full-time staff members. He handled media relations, community outreach, and a variety of informational services.

In New York, Aharoni became familiar with nation-branding methods, which he later introduced to his superiors in Jerusalem thus bringing about a paradigm shift in the perception of Israel’s public image by Israeli officials in Israel and in the US.

This Caravan for Democracy lecture is co-sponsored by USC Hillel, Hasbara Fellowships, SC Students for Israel, Hagshama, Chabad at USC, Trojans for Israel, and International Relations Undergraduate Association.

For more information, visit http://www.caravanfordemocracy.org/ or contact Brian Tenenbaum at brian.tenenbaum305@gmail.com.

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