You have to believe that for someone who is on the road 40-something weeks a year, the last thing I wanted to do yesterday was hop a plane to Las Vegas and commune with 150,000 conventioneers. At my own expense, no less.
But that’s when the Consumer Electronics Association schedules their mega-event each year – CES – and so Paul and I will be among the throngs trying to learn about “what’s new” and why it matters, especially to the radio business.
Why do this? Isn’t it possible to follow CES online or perhaps read excerpts from it in industry blogs and news reports?
Of course, it is. But I can tell you that like the Buffalo Wild Wings slogan, “You have to be here.”
For me, it started with the not-always-so-gentle cajoling from Buzz Knight, Greater Media’s programming guru – and future-focused radio pro. Buzz first came out to CES many years ago, and started working on Paul and me to add it to our January agendas.
One of the downsides of being a consultant is that we don’t have our own consultants who advises us about what to think about, consider, and strategize over. After 30 years of counseling others about how to manage their brands, you probably aren’t surprised to learn that most of us have our own private “consiglieres” and Buzz is one of ours.
Now in the middle of my fifth CES, I can tell you that as expensive as it is, as difficult as it is to navigate Vegas, the massive Convention Center, and various hotels and taxi lines, and as overwhelming an experience as this has become, it’s worth every dime and second of my time. (Not to mention the sore feet.)
And over time, there’s a growing group of radio people in attendance at CES. I’d like to think we’ve had a little something to do with that. Of course, radio’s patriarch of CES attendance is Jerry Lee, perhaps the most forward thinking broadcaster in the business. He’s been to nearly 40 of these affairs, and you have to believe that it fuels his thinking, energizes him, and helps him better understand the world of consumer electronics and media consumption that has rocked our radio world.
We first bumped into Jerry at CES two years ago, sporting his newest innovation – the iPad vest.
And I know I won’t mention everyone, but other CES veterans include ABC’s Steve Jones, All Access’ Perry Michael Simon, consultant Holland Cooke, Bill Saurer, Nielsen’s Ed Cohen, and of course, Buzz. In the past, I have also bumped into reps from Cox, as well as the iBiquity crew who is always surrounded by well-equipped cars sporting HD Radio. I am hoping to run into others along the way, and will update this post accordingly.
So the good news is that more broadcasters are making CES a part of their convention regimen, but the disappointing side of this is that only a handful truly make it a point to be here. There is a palpable aura of energy throughout these Vegas venues, spurred by the perpetual motion of innovation. That’s because everywhere you turn, there’s something new. And the optimism in the air is worth the price of admission.
Now contrast that with most radio gatherings, and you instantly understand why it is so essential to attend this industry/media/ electronics megawatt event.
I never think twice about the ROI of CES.
For Jacobs Media and jacAPPS, this bigger than life show has become an essential source of information and learning that has directly contributed to the growth of both of our enterprises. Our takeaways from CES have informed our point of view for Techsurvey questionnaire design. This year, we’re adding first-time questions about Google Glass and the smartwatch trend.
Our time spent at this event has led to our connection with CEA CEO Gary Shapiro (remember his infamous “Radio is a buggy whip industry” quote?) who was kind enough to keynote our Jacobs Summit back in 2010. Gary is all about innovation, connecting, and learning – all values that are vividly on display at CES.
CES also has been the linchpin of learning that has fueled our interest in the “connected car,” leading directly to the creation of the highly successful DASH conference last October. And for our mobile application company, jacAPPS, our relationship with Ford started at CES, and continued last year when we were named their House Developer at the Ford SYNC press conference.
And tomorrow, Paul will once again be at Ford’s display, showing off our broadcast radio station apps, and how they connect with the Ford AppLink ecosystem. None of this would have happened without our investment at CES.
(Paul, pictured at left with Ford’s Scott Burnell at CES 2013.)
Keep an eye on this space as we report in from CES this week (and probably into next). But know that the real takeaways from this event aren’t read in blog posts or client advisories. They are experienced and they contribute directly to shaping our world media view.
There is no shortage of industry and media pundits, as you well know. I respect them all, and do not think that at Jacobs, we have all the answers.
But I do know that if you don’t have a program of “continuing education,” the learning eventually stops, and with it, the perspective and innovation.
I may not have 30 more years left at Jacobs Media or jacAPPS, but I can tell you that as long as we’re a company, our investment in events like CES will continue.
That’s why companies hire consultants. It’s not about just which songs to play, prizes to give away, or optimal stopset placement. It’s about that greater perspective that only comes from expanding your horizons at events like this. I believe it’s our responsibility as counselors and strategists to stay on top of industry trends at a time when the media world is moving at Mach 3.
Hope to see you on the floor of CES this week.
If not, 2015?
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Fred,
Thanks for the mention. I continue to nag…er, “encourage” broadcasters to attend this important event. And for those who are here with us in ‘Vegas, 10 Tips: https://getonthenet.com/CES-SurvivalGuide.pdf
HC
Covering CES for Talkers and RadioInfo, and “America in the Morning”
Thanks, Holland. And thanks for the great guide. See you at the Convention Center!
Am I the only one who finds it interesting that not one radio CEO/COO/President sees working CES into his schedule as important?
Bob, thanks for the comment and the observation. It would be great to see more radio people here – period.
BREAKING: Just ran into Hubbard’s Bruce Reese at an internet streaming panel – a great sign.
“In the past, I have also bumped into reps from Cox, as well as the iBiquity crew who is always surrounded by well-equipped cars sporting HD Radio.”
Maybe, these radio CEO’s are embarrassed about their investments in iBiquity. HD Radio has such poor performance that some of the automakers have issued TSBs and internal service bulletins. Would be nice sometime to get the real scoop on why the automakers keep installing this inferior technology. Ford has even been a long-time investor in iBiquity. Oh, I may have just answered my own question!
Greg, I’m not sure you have. But if it’s a major concern to you, consider taking the advice we give broadcasters – go to these conferences and ask the OEMs and Tier 1’s yourself.