CES, here we come…

Photo Credit: The Verge, 2012

The Concept team is heading to CES this week for five days of technology awesomeness, brought to you in the form of new gadgets and services on display from our fabulous client partners. For more than a decade, we’ve watched the tech industry evolve through innovations introduced at this incredible show.

CES will again deliver a constant kaleidoscope of LED lights, live and digital music blasts, digital screens of every size, and an early look into the technologies that will change the way we watch TV, discover new music, connect with friends, increase our productivity, and generally live a truly digital lifestyle. It’s Mecca for our team and almost everyone we know professionally, and while we all are often exhausted in the march up to the show, once we’re there it’s game on and everyone is pumped!

This year, Concept is proud to represent seven clients at the show, where we’ll help separate their products and services from the thousands of others on display on the floor and in private meeting suites. Gracenote, Ceton and Dune HD are introducing home entertainment devices and services that are absolutely game changing. From automated content recognition in the TV programs we love, to integrated services that finally deliver on the whole-home entertainment promise, these companies will put the highest quality, personalized content in front of us on the device or screen we want. I love my TV, and the products these three companies are showing are fulfilling my vision for home entertainment nirvana. I can’t wait to both promote and consume what they’re showing this week.

MasterImage 3D and DXG are putting 3D technologies in our hands by way of mobile gadgets, and they allay any reservations about the future of 3D in our lives. Last year’s 3D CES obsession is this year’s practical implementation of something real, exciting, and value-add for all of us. While Making Fun is doing exactly what its name promises, with new mobile and social games that delight consumers and give companies like Zynga some real competition. And client Rosetta Marketing is sending one of their many super-smart consumer tech leads to speak about SmartTVs and their impact on the CE industry and consumer consumption.

The thought of seeing all of these technologies live and in one (tremendously vast) environment has us completely fired up! With these seven companies setting standards in consumer tech, the thought of the other several thousand product innovations — coupled with a stronger economy and broadening of investor support — will likely make the 2012 CES the best one we’ve experienced.

Here’s where you’ll find Concept and our clients at the show this week. Stop in, say hi, sit back and watch some mind-blowing demos, and then put your aching feet up and join us for a martini! Somehow, CES goers always find time for tons of fun. Isn’t that what cool new tech is really all about?

South Hall, Upper Level, Booth 31106

Las Vegas Hilton, Hospitality Suite 2165

South Hall, Ground Level, Booth 21445

South Hall, Upper Level, Booth 31825

Encore Hotel, Private Meeting Suite

South Hall, Lower Level, Booth 21727

Speaking at Parks Associates Connections Conference,  South Hall S204-205, Tuesday 9:30am

Concept Clients Making Headlines!

Concept’s clients have been creating quite a buzz in the news these days, with exciting product launches across the consumer electronics, social media, mobile, digital media, and gaming industries.

Below is a snapshot on some of the latest coverage in leading consumer, technology and business publications for DXG, StockTwits, Gracenote, OpenCandy, Real Sport Investor, and Roost. Click on any of the publications’ logos below to be directed to the full articles. Happy Reading!

Stay tuned for more news from Concept clients!

A Great Personality

How might you describe your handbag if it were a person?  Creative?  Vivacious?  Down-to-Earth?  And how about your toothbrush?  Would you call it friendly?  Or intelligent?

And why is that?  A lot of how we see the products we buy stems from their marketing and branding campaigns.  I know this isn’t news, but it’s also not something we tend to think about.  And here’s something else we haven’t been thinking about:  for decades, larger companies have been establishing brand attributes through magazines, TV, billboards and radio.  But now that social media is thriving and available to all, many smaller companies without this advertising experience are diving in without considering their unique brand personality.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is, there’s no better way to express who you are as a company than through social media, and it’s not too late.

I’m here at the Digital Matters conferences in Singapore, and it’s offered a lot of insight for just about anyone navigating the digital media landscape in any way.  One of the more valuable sessions was called, “Moving Forward with Social Media”.  It was made up of an impressive panel, including Thomas Crampton, Asia Pacific Director – 360 Degree Digital Influence, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific; James Miner, SVP, Digital, ESPN; and Doug Fraser, Operations Associate from Facebook.

The biggest take-way for me was that before starting any social media campaign companies need to sit down with their stakeholders and determine what they are all about.  Do they want their business and products to be seen as hip and flirtatious?  Reliable and conservative?   Brazen and tough?   Think about traits you would use to describe a person, not necessarily descriptors you would use for the merchandise or service.

Then, once you know the brand personality, keep that in mind with every social media engagement.  When it comes to establishing a brand, there’s nothing worse than inconsistency.   Then, in the words of one of the panel members, “build on the campaign, and see where it takes you.”  As long as you are saying true to the brand you have a guide, and this can make engaging in social media more fun, too.

Cheating on our Website with Facebook

Concept is populating a shiny new Facebook Page for our business, which showcases our clients and successes, goings on, team, news, points of view, and other goodness. As we’ve spent time on it this past week, posting and uploading, writing and customizing, we’ve commented to one another how easy and fun it’s been to build it out. (The kind of fun that has me working into the wee hours when my client work has long gone to bed.)

But now that we’re nearing launch phase, I’ve started to wonder, isn’t this all on our Website? And that was my husband’s first question when I asked him to come take a look. While I was hoping for a  simple, “Wow, honey, that looks great!” I didn’t get that, and instead defined why a Website works with Facebook, rather than in place of. (My husband is a great “so what?” meter.)

My description of the evolution of communications and the way people engage with brands today didn’t quite do it for him. But then I drew the smile, head nod, and “yeah, that looks great, honey!” with the following comment: To ensure people are reading our blog and staying informed on our company, they need to come to our site, or subscribe to our RSS feed, which few traditionally do for small and medium sized businesses. With Facebook, our content appears in front of our audiences, where they already are, without asking a single thing of them.

We’ve seen dynamic communication and audience growth work well for our clients through the Facebook Pages we manage. Now it’s our turn! And what about your business? If you’ve asked yourself about the virtues of Facebook vs. your Website or blog, consider the following:

1. Replace your Newsletter:  Are you doing a company newsletter? Consider replacing or augmenting it with content on Facebook. Invite the same people on your mailing list to join your Page. You’ll likely receive more Likes and Comments than you would have in replies to the newsletter.
2. Make a Great First Impression: Facebook is becoming the de facto place for people to look for and at your company (like LinkedIn replacing resumes). It has the power to replace a Website for quick introductions and information. Let your Facebook Page be the first impression you make about your business, brand values, mission and work quality.
3. Extend your Company Voice:  Are you looking for ways to develop or extend your company’s unique point of view and brand? We love the new Facebook feature that allows you to edit as your brand, so your Likes and Comments appear from your branded Page, rather than individual person, giving your company its own voice.
4. Stay in Front of your Audience:  Nearly 1/3 of the world’s population is on Facebook, including most of your friends and family, colleagues and business prospects. They’re already there, and your brand can be there as well, speaking to them, asking questions, sharing content and starting conversations.
5. Separate Business and Pleasure:  Do you blur the line a bit between business and pleasure on Facebook, but don’t like spamming your pals with corporate promos? Facebook Pages (rather than Profiles) let you keep personal it its place so you’re not mixing biz speak with photos of your kids.

So yes, this content is all on our Website, but you’re all on Facebook. We still love our Website, as we do our blog and LinkedIn profiles and Twitter feeds, but Facebook is dynamic and interactive and allows for easy updates and conversations. We’re  excited to engage with our friends, colleagues, clients and prospects through another channel, and show potentially the world what it is we do. We do realize “the world” will not be Friending our Page — but it’s there for them regardless, and that’s the point.

Now don’t worry, blog, you’re the first one I turned to for this post — but only because you so smoothly populate our Facebook and Twitter feeds automatically. If you didn’t do that, well, our parting would be such sweet sorrow.

A Leader Works in the Open

Veronica Skelton, Darlene Gannon, Alan Mulally, Graham McKenna, Vadim Brenner - CES 2011

It’s the first week of the month which usually means we at Concept Communications are busy compiling press coverage reports, calculating expenses and generally reflecting on the past 30 days or so and what we’ve accomplished for our clients in that time.  As it turns out, January 2011 was an epic month for us and our accounts, filled with international trade shows like CES and MIDEM, press conferences and media events, and opportunities for us to meet and/or listen to high level executives in the various industries in which our clients play.

It occurred to me that of all the influential people I’ve had the fortune of encountering over the past month –including celebrities like 50 Cent and the heads of the digital divisions of all the major record labels – it might seem unlikely that the one, very brief moment I had with Alan Mulally, the President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, made the biggest impression on me.

It happened when Darlene and I were at a large media event at CES in an area set aside for Ford and its partners – representing our client Gracenote, a Ford technology partner for years.  We were suddenly told Mr. Mulally may be coming by, and moments later I noticed him out of the corner of my eye.  What immediately struck me was that although he is not a particularly large man, his vivaciousness, his confidence and just his sheer *energy* made him an enormous presence in what was literally a hotel ballroom.

And, when he approached our group and he looked at me, I felt like the only person in a crowd of almost 1,000 people.   He looked me square in the eye, he shook my hand warmly, he asked me questions, he made funny comments – none of which I can remember, but it doesn’t matter because for one minute, I felt significant, I felt special, I felt acknowledged by the leader of one of the most important businesses in the United States.  He asked our group if we wanted a picture and then stood next to us and put his arms out.  At that moment, it felt as though we were posing for a team photograph for the yearbook.  A winning team.  A positive team.  A team that was coming off a phenomenal season and was strong, in shape, and ready to do it all over again.  It made me proud to be associated, if even remotely, with the Ford brand.

How did this happen?  How did this man I’d never met make me feel this way over the course of what can’t have been more than three minutes?  Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. . . The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert.”  I think the secret lies in Mr. Mulally’s sincerity.  In his genuine interest in the American people and what they want.  And I thank him for reminding me that in life, not just in business, success lies in one’s ability to make meaningful connections, one person at a time.

Concept Co-Founder Veronica Skelton Named Top 100 San Francisco PR Pros

Our very own Veronica Skelton, co-founder and managing director of Concept Communications, was recognized as a top 100 San Francisco Public Relations Professional by Sparkah.com! Congrats, Veronica!

Sparkah.com selected its top 100 pros as folks who not only understand the value of traditional media relations but also have great relationships with key bloggers and influencers across the Web. Veronica’s extensive background in technology and years of experience developing relationships with all types of media, made her an obvious choice for Sparkah.com.

A little more about Veronica’s background and why she’s made such a name for herself in San Francisco:

Veronica has a unique mixture of journalism, in-house, agency, consulting, and global business experience. She has managed the PR needs of organizations throughout the world, from Fortune 100 companies to the smallest of start-ups. Based in San Francisco and a native of ‘The City,’ Veronica has been in the PR industry for nearly two decades. Her roots as an award-winning college journalist led her into the PR world, and she is known for bringing high enthusiasm, integrity, good instincts and resourcefulness to her work ever since. Her experience backpacking around the world – twice – has also given her a unique perspective on people, the media, and the global economy. Both a former Canadian and a former collegiate water polo goalie, Veronica combines a socialistic, team-oriented attitude with a tinge of toughness (she’s had her nose broken after all!)

A co-founder of Concept, Veronica heads up the Gracenote account. Past Concept client works includes DivX, TripIt, TravelPost, Transpera, HomePages, AllBusiness, UpTake, MetroLyrics, Praized Media and FrameFree. She has held agency positions with Porter Novelli in Los Angeles, and Wilson McHenry Company in the Bay Area, and held an in-house corporate communications position at Intuit. Veronica is formerly the Vice President of the Public Relations Society of America – San Francisco Chapter, and was recently the Publicity Chair for INFORUM in San Francisco, the division of The Commonwealth Club for people in their 20’s and 30’s.

Follow Veronica on Twitter @veronicaskelton.

CES 2011 News: DXG INTRODUCES 2011 LUXE COLLECTION HD CAMCORDERS WITH NEW ULTRA SLIM DESIGN AND OPTICAL ZOOM

Stylish Camcorder Line Now Available in Six New Eye-Catching Patterns and a Variety of Colors; Features 1080p HD Video Capture, a 5X Optical Zoom Model and 3-inch Touch Screen

DXG Luxe Collection, Zanzibar Line - Zebra Print

LAS VEGAS, NV – Consumer Electronics Show – January 6, 2011

– With the ever increasing demand for personalized electronics, DXG delivers with its new ultra slim 2011 Luxe Collection of fashionable, high definition camcorders. The new collection features several stylish patterns in attractive color combinations and high quality video recording features, including full 1080p high definition, a 3-inch LCD touch screen display, and a 5X optical zoom model. Select DXG Luxe models are available at retailers today for $149.99 to $199.99.

Click here to read more.

CES 2011 News: DXG INTRODUCES ‘THE TWIST’ WIDESCREEN HIGH DEFINITION POCKET CAMCORDER

DXG Expands Popular QuickShots Line with New Models, Features and Colors 

DXG Twist - 2011 QuickShots Line

LAS VEGAS, NV – Consumer Electronics Show – January 6, 2011 

– Shooting those silly everyday or once-in-a-lifetime moments has never been easier, thanks to the new DXG Twist widescreen high definition pocket camcorder. Measuring the same size as today’s popular Smartphones, the DXG Twist features a 3.5-inch widescreen swivel display to easily grip and capture HD videos and photos in movie-like detail. Available in February, the DXG Twist will retail for $169.99. DXG also announced today new models, features and colors to its 2011 QuickShots line, available at retailers at the end of January for $119.99 to $129.99. 

Click here to read more. 

Gracenote Connected TV Technologies Ship with Leading Home Entertainment Products

Gracenote’s Video Explore, VideoID and MusicID Transform TVs and Media Devices into Gateways to Explore, Discover and Interact with Media

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — Jan. 6, 2011 —Gracenote® today announced its connected TV technologies have been adopted by leading home entertainment brands to bring richer and more interactive experiences to consumers, as well as drive new revenue opportunities for display and media device manufacturers and content providers. These technologies will be announced in new products from Sony Electronics Inc. and LG Electronics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week.

Click here to read more.

Gracenote Teams Up with Parrot to Enhance the Hands-free In-car Entertainment Experience

Deal Rounds Out Year of Momentum in Automotive for Gracenote; Company to Showcase Concept ‘Car of the Future’ at Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — Jan. 6, 2011 —Gracenote® today announced it has signed an agreement with Paris-based Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, to provide its digital file recognition and speech-enhancing technologies for Parrot ASTEROID, a new connected car stereo that delivers an unparalleled hands-free user experience for accessing music collections in the car.

Click here to read more.