Ignition: Superior Communication Strategies for Creating Stronger Connections

Ignition is a book of dispatches from the frontlines of communication strategy. Matthew L. Moseley draws on his eclectic life experiences to investigate the link between success and effective communication. Whether he’s choreographing a fine dining experience at the top restaurant in America, using rock stars to register voters, helping a national chain save its reputation after a gaffe goes viral, or serving as media liaison at the epic ash-blast send-off for author Hunter S. Thompson, Moseley identifies the principles that guide communication strategies toward their goals.

In extensive interviews with a wide variety of experts, including authors, fighter pilots, business leaders, politicians, and astrophysicists, Moseley tests these principles, teases out new, provocative ideas, and anticipates how forming stronger connections will help us address today’s greatest challenges. Though it tackles serious subjects, offers an illuminating perspective on the evolution of human discourse, and shares important insights on interpersonal relations, Ignition is also a good, fun read. A broad range of colorful anecdotes gives this book of philosophical wisdom and practical advice the zest of a juicy memoir.

Matt Moseley has spent his career at the intersection of public policy, business and government and has managed many public affairs projects and campaigns for organizations and companies. He is also an author and world record adventure swimmer.

Since 2005, Moseley has been in private practice as a communications strategist and consultant for companies and organizations. He has had many high-profile clients including American Rivers, Aurora Economic Development Council, Xcel Energy, AFL-CIO, Colorado Association of Realtors, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and many others. Moseley was hired by Johnny Depp to be the family spokesperson and communications director for Hunter S. Thompson’s funeral and ash-blast. He also led the successful campaign to free Lisl Auman from a life sentence for felony murder. He wrote a book about the effort called, "Dear Dr. Thompson: Felony Murder, Hunter Thompson and the Last Gonzo Campaign."

Moseley served as the communications director for the Colorado Senate under President Joan Fitz-Gerald. He was a press officer for the United States Olympic Committee at the 2004 games in Athens, Greece, where he wrote numerous articles for national publications and was "Our man inside the Olympics" for The Denver Post. Other experiences include being the national field director for Rock the Vote in Los Angeles. In 1998, he served as the deputy press secretary under White House communications director Mike McCurry for the Denver Summit of the Eight (G7 Summit).

He has a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was appointed by the Boulder City Council to the Transportation Advisory Board and is a frequent writer and spokesperson on issues for the press.

Moseley has completed three world record adventure swims. On June 11, 2014, he completed the first-ever solo swim crossing of Lake Pontchartrain, for 25 miles in 14 hours and 56 minutes, which was made into a documentary by Emmy-winning filmmaker Wayne Ewing called "Dancing in the Water." On May 28, 2015, he made the first swim crossing from the island of Culebra to Fajardo, Puerto Rico, for 24 miles in 12 hours, 1 minute, 55 seconds. In late July 2015, he did the first-ever swim through Canyonlands National Park on the Colorado River for 47.5 miles in 13 hours 56 minutes, which was acknowledged by Outside Magazine.

All of Matt’s swims benefited organizations working to protect water: Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Scuba Dogs Society in Puerto Rico and American Rivers. The swims raised thousands of dollars and received millions of media impressions for the partnering organizations. In addition Moseley was the lead for the City of Boulder Transportation Advisory Board on a 2013 ballot measure to significantly increase long-term funding. He has been a long-time advocate for juvenile justice issues with the Pendulum Foundation and the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center on many successful reforms including most recently ending Juvenile Life Without Parole. He was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award and is the recipient of the Colorado Professional Firefighters Excellence in Service Award. The World Open Water Swimming Association nominated him for the Performance of the Year for 2015.

All of Matt’s swims benefited organizations working to protect water: Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Scuba Dogs Society in Puerto Rico and American Rivers. The swims raised thousands of dollars and received millions of media impressions for the partnering organizations. In addition Moseley was the lead for the City of Boulder Transportation Advisory Board on a 2013 ballot measure to significantly increase long-term funding. He has been a long-time advocate for juvenile justice issues with the Pendulum Foundation and the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center on many successful reforms including most recently ending Juvenile Life Without Parole. He was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award and is the recipient of the Colorado Professional Firefighters Excellence in Service Award. The World Open Water Swimming Association nominated him for the Performance of the Year for 2015.