The grand experiment is over and generally, virtual CES 2021 was a success, at least from a technical perspective. There were no major crashes, keynotes were compelling and informative, the panels were interesting and timed like clockwork, and the ability to connect with Expo floor vendors was seamless. The panels were high-quality and while there were some that were 'talking heads' many actually dived deep into important topics. I like the idea of making all sessions during CES available for viewing online going forward. CES sessions usually take a backseat to private meetings and walking the show floor. This format brought those panels to the forefront, and I think making the panels digitally available on-demand is a best practice that should continue once we return live. This year, the annual extravaganza hosted by iHeart Media's Bob Pittman and MedialLink CEO Michael Kassan also went virtual in partnership with Beneville Studios and SpatialWeb. The innovative, immersive next generation experience created a "remote together" environment joined by more than 500 industry influencers and thought leaders.
Village Soapbox: CES, GroupM Research, 2021 Look Forward, New Data, Podcast Paradox
