Archive for April, 2006

Malcolm Gladwell started off the Opening General Session with a ten-minute address. He told the story of David Sarnoff and how he convinced RCA to broadcast the Dempsey-Carpentier fight in 1921 and sparked a new medium.

NCTA’s President kicked off today’s first General Session with the annual report on the state of the industry. His remarks, and the first in a series of ads rebutting the telephone industries attacks on cable, indicate it will be a very good, but very tough year as we face legislation at the national and local level.

Here’s an interesting couple you might not expect to see.  Backstage before the Opening General Session, here is author Malcolm Gladwell and C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb. During their onstage discussion, they mentioned that Lamb will be interviewing Gladwell on C-SPAN soon.

As mentioned earlier, today marked the 7th Annual Supplier Diversity Connection Workshop held during The National Show, organized by the Walter Kaitz Foundation. Shown here is the panel “Follow the Money: Corporate Spending in the Cable Industry,” with Jim Hughes of CommScope, Greta Davis  of Time Warner, Harold Cain of Scientific-Atlanta, and Kathy Scott of Vozzcom.

Stepping back in time slightly, as I catch up on some events from earlier today… “Democracy is shaped by the electorate. Democracy needs to be shaped by an informed electorate.” That’s how moderator Paul Giguere kicked off a breakfast panel today on regional public affairs networks — the so-called local C-SPANs.

A few of us were asking that same question. Were they art? Or some sort of solar energy panels? Oil derricks? I asked a few folks, including one GWCC staff member – no one seemed to know.

The Atlanta Chapter of Cable Positive hosted a gospel brunch at Pittypat’s Porch earlier this morning. This well-attended fundraiser featured fabulous, soul-stirring music from the Voice of Altanta choir (a renowned group that has toured with Elton John) and a Southern buffet breakfast.

David Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast, hosted a town hall meeting on video franchising featuring experts on franchise issues from counties, state legislatures, utility commissions, and cities.  It was a lively discussion of a big issue facing our industry.

Just a reminder that the mobile version of The National Show website has launched, perfect for checking on session rooms or the schedule while you’re dashing around.  It’s been formatted for your BlackBerry, PDA or other device.  Point your browser to www.thenationalshow.com/mobile.

There are a number of events to look out for today. The major one is the Opening General Session at 1:00 p.m. in Hall B1. The speakers are: Malcolm Gladwell, author, The Tipping Point and Blink; John Hendricks, Discovery Communications, Inc.; Gerry Laybourne, Oxygen Media, Inc.; Brian Lamb, C-SPAN; Bob Miron, Advance/Newhouse Communications; and Tom Rutledge, Cablevision Systems Corporation.

Last night, the annual Media Reception was held at Shout! (part of the Here to Serve Restaurant Group).  It’s a very popular destination and attendees seemed to enjoy the food at the event.

We just had our all-staff meeting, which marks the official beginning of Show activity.  Everyone is very excited about the Show, which not only has a lot of great features and sessions, but also has a lot of new aspects.  In addition, the cable industry has some very positive things to talk about.

As cable veterans know, new programming ventures will pursue all sorts of tactics to get on the radar. Here’s an interesting promotion which appeared today at the Convention Center.  In the men’s urinal (I can’t speak for the women’s room), there is a device promoting MavTV.  As one stands in front of the device, you hear a recording of laughter and then a voice saying, “If you want a good laugh, watch MavTV.

There is a story today in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the increasing mobility and portability of video. The article is partly inspired by The National Show being in town; cable companies in the Metro Atlanta are highlighted.

Hopefully you’ve made plans for your evenings in Atlanta.  If not, here’s a few shots of BED, a local hot spot.  As you can see from the lower photo, the name comes from the fact that you can eat dinner in bed.  I’m not sure how you’re supposed to cut your food; I ate at a table.