CEA Lures Content Kings for Expanded CES Coverage

Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige and many other stars have been confirmed to appear at CES

November 2007 By Audrey Gray

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Not that the largest trade show in the world was ever “under the radar” exactly, but this year’s CES looks like it will get more attention from major media and entertainment companies than ever before. CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro announced last night in New York at the CES Preview press conference two major content partnerships that will give the January 5-10th show more of a presence in daily news coverage.

First, CEA is teaming up with NBC Universal to provide dozens of hours of live TV broadcasts from the show floor. Beth Comstock, President of Integrated Media for NBC Universal said well-known NBC news personalities like Al Roker will be reporting live from Vegas. “We’re excited to be the first ever broadcast partner at CES,” said Comstock.

Another powerful content company, Sony Pictures Television, is expected to play a major role at this year’s electronics trade show. Company president Steve Mosko said he’s booked Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Bennett, Drew Carey, and Vanna White, among others, to appear in the super-sized Sony Booth in January. Mosko, who attended the 2006 CES as more of a visitor than a participant, says content companies are more interested than ever in making deals that will give them a mobile platform for new types of entertainment products, from “mobisodes” to music video-on-the-go.

And finally, Monster Cable’s “Head Monster,” Noel Lee, announced the identity of the featured performer at Monster’s annual concert. The singer, Lee said, will be Mary J. Blige, a six-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.