Tech Leaders from Twitter, Facebook, MediaLink, Salesforce, MillerCoors and Ford Illuminate CES Keynote Stage; Last Gadget Standing and Mobile Apps Showdown Winners Announced at 2014 CES

US Secretary of Commerce says America is open for business: FCC Chairman sees spectrum auctions as risk free opportunity for broadcasters

Las Vegas, NV, January 9, 2014 – Day two of the 2014 International CES® brought leaders from Twitter, Facebook, MediaLink, Salesforce Exact Marketing Cloud, MillerCoors and Ford to the CES stage during the Brand Matters keynote, while tech policy issues were addressed during select SuperSessions. The diverse range of the 2014 CES demonstrates that every major technology company participates in the show by exhibiting, speaking, sponsoring, attending or holding co-located events and business meetings. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the 2014 CES, the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, runs through Friday, January 10.

“Innovation is the lifeblood of the consumer technology industry and the show floor and conference sessions at the 2014 International CES are invigorating and energizing as fresh ideas, breakthrough technologies and new ways of doing things come to life,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy, CEA. “From the biggest technology companies in the world to startup entrepreneurs, CES shows off the industry’s latest developments and discoveries on the show floor and through our dynamic conference programming.”

Michael E. Kassan, chairman and CEO of MediaLink, moderated back-to-back discussions on brand marketing in a connected world during the Brand Matters keynote. The first panel featured Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter and Maurice Lévy, chairman and CEO of the Publicis Groupe. The conversation explored integrated marketing strategies that connect with consumers across platforms, and the importance of trust and privacy when engaging directly with consumers. “In a digital world, successful campaigns approach marketing as content, rather than as disruptions to content,” said Costolo. “Message amplification via social networks and the ability to leverage the second screen are also key to brand marketing success.” As marketers focus more energy on mobile strategies and social media, they must be mindful of data security and consumer privacy. Lévy, said, “Many consumers choose not to opt out of targeted marketing in their social media feeds because they don’t want to miss out on useful information, or on building relationships with brands or on special offers.”    

The second panel featured executives from Salesforce ExactTarget Marketing Cloud, MillerCoors, Ford Motor Co., and Facebook. Participants on both panels discussed the importance of creating integrated marketing campaigns across platforms that include clients, advertising agencies and media – all working together to speak to consumers. The panel agreed that it’s almost impossible to work in silos, and that today boundaries are blurred.

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on the CES stage during the “Innovation: Keeping America Open for Business SuperSession” to talk about ways to spur economic growth. Secretary Pritzker opened saying she was amazed by the show and that “to see innovation and entrepreneurship come to life in front of me at the show is a Commerce Secretary’s dream.” She is committed to pushing her office’s strategic focus on innovation and said that she “wants everyone walking through the department of my office to know that America is open for business, and that we are very committed to expediting and supporting advanced manufacturing.” The Secretary’s highest business priorities are free trade and immigration reform. When asked about how America is perceived in other countries, the Secretary said, “The world is thirsty for our type of entrepreneurship.”

New Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler made his first CES appearance as FCC Chairman during a one-on-one conversation with Shapiro. Shapiro opened the discussion by praising Wheeler for “hitting the ground running” and for focusing on big issues that need to be tackled, like the upcoming TV broadcast spectrum Incentive auctions. In the next 18 months, the FCC will undertake three spectrum auctions, the H Block auction in two weeks, the AWS-3 auction this summer, and the TV broadcast spectrum incentive auctions in mid-2015.  Wheeler said that “there has never been a time of greater opportunity for broadcasters” in regard to the auctions. In addition to broadcasters having the opportunity to sell their spectrum, the FCC is changing rules so that broadcasters can share spectrum in the 6 MHz band. Wheeler said that he hopes that broadcasters will see this as a “risk free opportunity.” Among many goals, Wheeler hopes that during his tenure as chairman, the FCC will accomplish the TV broadcast spectrum incentive auctions and also use broadband networks to change the nature of education through supporting eRate to connect schools.

The “CES 2015: How Today's Emerging Technologies will Affect Tomorrow's Devices SuperSession” featured executives from some of the top names in the world of emerging technology who discussed what will take center stage at CES in the years to come. Brian Heater, director of media at Engadget, moderated the SuperSession, which included panelists from Leap Motion; Oculus VR; Pebble Technology; and 3D Systems Inc. The panelists touted CES as the place where startups can make their business a success, since “high tech is high touch.” Looking towards the future, Pebble will focus on applications that sync with its smart watch, Oculus will concentrate on its consumer product, 3D Systems will focus on where 3D printing will be in the home and Leap Motion will continue to embed into new form factors.  

The second annual CEA MoDev Hackathon featured nearly 100 award winning developers competing individually and as teams for up to $100,000 in cash and prizes. Apps were awarded for innovative integration with Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung, Sony and Modev. App Projects from Travel Channel Cities Metro, Travel Offers, Travel Swipe, Travel Channel Navigator and Travel Live were awarded top honors. The Journey Live app was selected as the grand prize winner.

Day two of the International CES wrapped with the Leaders in Technology dinner which featured keynote speaker Bre Pettis, CEO and co-founder of MakerBot, a leader in desktop 3D printing. Underscoring this hot trend, for the first time there is a3D Printing TechZone at CES with more than 30 companies showing the latest technology. Pettis discussed how MakerBot got to the 2010 CES by winning a booth at a CE Week competition and how CES has helped his company grow. “We have a very engaged community that is sharing designs and is busy making things,” he explained. He went on to describe three new 3D printers that MakerBot is launching at the 2014 CES and detailed the products the printers can create including prosthetics that kids normally can't afford and a soccer ball that generates light based on its kinetic activity. Pettis then described MakerBot’s philanthropic goal of providing a printer to every school in America.

Day three of the 2014 CES was highlighted by the Last Gadget Standing and Mobile Apps Showdown competitions. The Last Gadget Standing competition challenged contenders to present fast-paced product demos to a live CES audience. Co- hosts Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein from SiriusXM Radio’s Howard Stern channels hosted the competition, and winners were selected through an applause-o-meter. The winner of the product “most likely to change the face of technology,” was a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt that is managed through a smart phone. A separate online vote awarded the top prize to the Skulpt Aim, a body fat/muscle-quality measurement device. A full list of finalists is available here.

Password Box, a password management app with a social twist, took home the top prize at the 2014 Mobile Apps Showdown sponsored by Living in Digital Times. The fully-encrypted app lets you instantly login to your go-to websites and apps without having to type in your password. You can also track credit cards, passports and other sensitive data and securely share information with friends through the app. Emceed by Gary Dell'Abate and Jon Hein from Sirius XM, the showdown featured four-minute elevator-pitch-style presentations from 10 semifinalist app developers, selected ahead of time by a team of expert panelists and Living in Digital Times readers.  The winner was chosen by crowd applause. Ballerz, an app that helps players find pickup basketball games in their area based on skill level, was the online showdown winner. Ballerz was developed by a group of active duty naval officers who found that playing sports reduced stress and boosted morale on the base. A complete list of semi-finalists and ”app-reneurs” can be found online.