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

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.

CES 2011 Media Poll: Get Show News the Way You Want It

Calling on all media friends!

We at Concept Communications have attended CES for more than a decade with our clients, and each year we try to hone our communications with the media to ensure that you and our teams have a successful show. We want to make your jobs easier!

We are taking a very quick poll on how you, the media, like to receive and discuss news before and during CES.

For every response we receive, Concept Communications will donate $5 to Computers for Youth, an organization dedicated to improving technology resources available to low income school children.

Thank you for taking a minute out of your busy day to participate!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY.

CES Prep Time – It’s Going to be a Techlicious 2010

The month before the technology industry’s biggest Consumer Electronics Show, CES, all of us at Concept are busy as can be getting things ready for our clients’ new product and technology announcements. With press bookings, shows, booth prep and more, December not only brings excitement for the holidays but also for all the great technology advancements and gizmos of 2010.

From digital camcorders, to car media systems, home theater and mobile technologies, our clients have it covered at CES. Below is a snapshot of what’s in store for the show.

Moving beyond just color options, DXG has created affordable, quality HD camcorders for 2010 that fit diverse lifestyles – from experienced video takers to novices, fashionistas and adventurists. The latest DXG digital camcorders feature one-of-a-kind couture designs, waterproof HD technology, pistol-grip form factors, high quality features such as video capture at 60 frames-per-second, true 1080i resolution, optical zoom and 12 mega-pixel still image capture.

While digital media technology powerhouse, Gracenote, will be showcasing emerging and newly released technologies in digital media entertainment:

• Next-generation set top boxes and Blu-ray players offering native search and navigation, links to commerce and relevant content
• Multi-screen demos highlighting commerce integration in the car and connectivity between the home, desktop and mobile phone
• Cross-platform mobile solutions integrated into the desktop, car and home entertainment system
• Gracenote enabled GENIVI open source auto platform demo and Sonic Attributes, mood-based navigation
• The latest desktop applications and online music websites integrating Gracenote’s recognition technology, rich data and lyrics content

If you’re a reporter, blogger, or just a tech-lover like me and plan on being at CES, send us a note to arrange a demo or stop on by the DXG booth (South Hall 3, Booth 31828) and Gracenote booth (South Hall 3, Booth 31106) for a taste of the exciting technology and gadgets that 2010 has to offer.