My Greatest “Hits” of 2013 - My Most Widely Read Blog Posts of the Year

As I sit here in Urgent Care awaiting an X-Ray on my right middle finger, which may be broken because I was showing off my Minnesota ice-skating chops (or lack thereof) to my kids and fell instead,  I compiled this list of my greatest “hits” from my Digital Media Update blog posts in 2013 (based on how widely they were read).  Here is my top 6 (with the most widely-read listed first).  Why 6 instead of 5?  Because I like the 6th post, which is about Tesla -- one of the huge tech stories of the year:

(1) “Vine -- Advertisers Grabbing On -- A Good Sign for Twitter” -- this January 2013 post was by far my most widely read post and, I must say, was dead on (I predicted a “hit” for Twitter); the rest has been history for Vine; I see my kids -- and all of their friends -- using it all the time; it is now part of the pop culture;

(2) “5 Questions with Gyft’s COO CJ MacDonald -- My Exclusive Q&A" -- this post, from November, is the most widely read in my continuing “5 Questions with ...” series -- a testament to Gyft’s remarkable first year success;

(3) “25% of Netflix House of Cards Viewers Binged -- Watched All 13 Episodes” -- this February post heralded a new way of thinking about “television” distribution -- and gave consumers new choice and power -- and is changing the industry;

(4) “Digital Media Hired as New CEO of Warner Bros. (In the Guise of Kevin Tsujihara)" -- this January post heralded a new era of major studio leadership -- underscoring the pre-eminence of digital media in the thinking, and future, of content;

(5) “Rome -- A Full Experience in 2 Days” -- this October post was something very different; this one was personal, and it obviously struck a chord; our travels apparently helped others plan their own travels, which is quite cool; and

(6) “Tesla -- The Experience -- A Review” -- this post from June was both business and personal, and also clearly struck a chord and heralded the massive success Tesla experienced in its breakout year; business, because Tesla absolutely is a huge tech story (transforming the auto industry from Silicon Valley); personal, because I acquired a Model S in June and was on the front lines of the Tesla customer experience first-hand; my observations seem to have helped others and were shared broadly.

Enjoy!

My 2013 Guest Posts in TechCrunch, Huffington Post, Wired, Venturebeat -- Curated for the Holidays

In 2013, I wrote several guest articles for TechCrunch, The Huffington Post, Wired and Venturebeat  -- here they are -- consolidated for your holiday reading:  

“A New Golden Age of Content” -- The Huffington Post.

"Instagram for Video -- Music, Meaning and Moments Succeed Where Others Fail" -- TechCrunch.

"Media's Online-Offline Nexus: Connecting Virtual, Physical Worlds"-- Wired.

"Why Content Creators Should Know About the New 'Share Economy' -- Venturebeat.

"8 Ways to Maximize Live Sports & Music Revenues" -- The Huffington Post.

"For Family Videos, Less Is, Well, Less: Welcome to the Age of Video Snippets" -- The Huffington Post.

Check them out -- and, if you read anything you like, spread the word!  And, thanks for reading in 2013.  I hope to shed at least a few digital media/tech insights in 2014 -- beginning on January 6 at CES where I will be moderating one panel, and participating on another.  Reach out to me via LinkedIn if you would like to meet.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

2014 - A New Golden Age of Content - My Latest Article in Huffington Post

I frequently write for other publications like Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Wired and Venturebeat.  Here is my latest just-published article in Huffington Post, titled “A New Golden Age of Content.”  I am posting it here in its entirety:

Amidst the maelstrom of technology shattering decades-old media-centric business models – a reality that continues to frighten many in its wake – often lost is the fact that we are now in the midst of a new golden age of content. Yes, it’s true. There has been too much doom and gloom, and not enough of the content creators’ boom.  We will look back at this era decades from now as being a period of creative boom, not bust. Here’s why. 

Mobile. We now have more than 7 billion mobile devices worldwide – more mobile devices than people on this planet. Just think about that. That absolutely is a revolution. And thanks to this mobile revolution, content creators now have the opportunity for the first timeto reach virtually any of us anywhere we are at any time. And they are. Hulu just announced that over 50 percent of its subscribers now watch their videos on tablets or mobile phones.

But reaching us does not mean that content creators must find us directly. If they do their jobs right – which means telling compelling stories – we consumers will do the work for them. We will find their content ourselves. In fact, we will do even more than that. With 58 percent of online videos consumed on social networking sites, we enthusiastically (frequently feverishly!) will go further. If we like what we have consumed, we will pass it on to our families, friends and co-workers – and we will urge them to consume it themselves.

Just take a look at Will Ferrell. He – in the guise of Ron Burgundy of Anchorman fame – is literally everywhere now. We have put Mr. Burgundy everywhere. We retweet his videos. We post them. We have become individual broadcasters and marketeers, amplifying the voices of creators whose stories we deem worthy to be seen and heard (even those, like Mr. Burgundy’s, that are blatant promotions!).  Think about that. That is quite incredible.

Not only has the media distribution game been disrupted by the new technologies, the form of that content itself has been disrupted. Gone are the days of creativity being locked into serial 22-minute segments dictated by traditional broadcast time slots and ad spends. Digital media (online and mobile) has shattered those constraints, unleashing a torrent of unprecedented creativity. Content creators have more ways than ever before to express themselves. Those ways truly are unlimited, because mass story-telling has been democratized. All of us can have a public voice – and most of us now do. We can tell the stories we want to tell. Some may be “traditional” in form, but others most certainly are not. Have you seen YouTube lately? Have you seen your kids’ school homework projects lately? At our school’s recent parent-teacher conferences, I was amazed by my son’s sophisticated iPad-driven multi-media presentation about “The Big Bang.”  That is creativity. That is power.

And, here’s the deal. An audience exists for allof it – both the traditional and the new/disruptive. These forms don’t compete with one another, precisely because our mobile “phones” are with us 24/7, giving us more (not less) of an opportunity to consume. And, consume we do – voraciously. All of us like to experience a good story – and we enthusiastically embrace new ways of telling them – anytime, anywhere. 

We now live in a world where we have myriad choices of content available when we want it – so long as content creators create compelling content and give us those choices.  This is what Kevin Spacey so eloquently discussed in his recent speech that reached many of us via the same digital media technology that launched this new golden age. Binge viewing Netflix-style works. Why? Precisely because someconsumers (but not all) want it that way. Netflix simply offered a new type of content package. A new mode of consumption. It’s not binge viewing vs. “traditional” viewing. It’s not either/or. It’s simply different. Different experiences.  Some don't need the water cooler conversation. Some crave it. We can self-select what we want.  We want that power and control. Just make it compelling.

Due to its unprecedented reach and endless “packaging” possibilities, that content also can impact us like never before – not only to buy things (although that too is true, look again at Mr. Burgundy), but also to inspire us. To motivate us. To mobilize us (just look at digital media-driven global political upheavals of the past two years). To fund even more new stories to tell.

Don’t fear this disruption. Embrace it. We are in a new golden age.  

Your Guide to Long-Term Care for a Loved One - MY NEW WEBSITE, Long-Term Care Sherpa

This is a sobering post.  I write it during the holiday season not to be a “downer,” but rather to share a health care odyssey that my family and I are taking right now.  I also write it to identify what I see to be a gaping hole in resources organized and available on the Web -- a gap that I have now attempted to begin to fill in my own small way with my new website Long-Term Care Sherpa (more on that below, but first the context).

All of us have had our share of family health crises and tragedies.  We certainly have had ours.  That is part of life.  During those times, the most critical thing is for families to work together to first give emotional support to each other, but also to minimize the pain and optimize overall care for the loved one at the center of the crisis.  Also permeating all of these major health crises is our overall health care system, the tremendous costs associated with it and these events (which frequently continue into the need for long-term care), and the frequently (too frequently!) resulting catastrophic financial consequences.  The overall impact can be a tragic double whammy -- the stricken loved one and family are never the same.

I saw this first-hand in 1985 when my beloved father, Denes (a man who could do it all), suffered a massive stroke that ultimately required him to have skilled nursing care in an outside “home” (by the way, that scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life” when George Bailey learns about his father’s stroke still gets me every time).  Tragically, my father was never the same mentally or physically.  And, tragically, his 5-year skilled nursing care devastated the nest egg that he had worked for so hard for the benefit of his wife, my mother, Eva.

Which brings me to my mother, Eva, who has lived bravely and independently since even before my father’s death in 1991.  She is now 78.  And, up until the end of October, she lived alone in her own condo in Minneapolis (I live in San Diego) and drove her own car.  That’s when I received “that” dreaded call from my sister.  My mother had fallen ... and had been hospitalized.  And, that’s when our most recent family health care crisis and odyssey began.

All of us (I have two siblings, but only one in Minneapolis) immediately went into crisis mode, scrambling to organize our thoughts about what to do and how to do it -- no small feat, given that all three of us have demanding jobs and families.  I, of course, immediately turned to the Internet, that great bastion of resources organized and available anytime simply by a stroke of the keyboard.  I thought that, since ALL of us have gone through similar life-altering health crises (which is part of the human condition after all), countless sites would be available to me to help me and my family organize our thoughts, approach the myriad issues involved (both care-wise and financial), identify helpful resources, and provide support and community.

Boy was I wrong.

Instead, I found an unorganized patchwork of sites that focused on this or that, but did not give the “big picture.”  And, I had looked hard, believe me.  It was beyond frustrating.  The closest thing I could find was a site called “A Place for Mom,” which advertises broadly (I hear radio ads all the time), but essentially is nothing more than a glorified long-term care/senior living referral service.  To be clear, I am not knocking that site -- it is the best thing I have found out there today.  But, it didn’t get me what my family and I needed to approach our health care odyssey and optimize the result (both care-wise and financially) for all of us -- especially my mother.

So, since shockingly nothing was available, my family and I -- just like many of you -- have had to do it ourselves.  We collected bits and pieces of information here and there about long-term health care options, about the financial implications of each, about available medical assistance -- all of which, of course, has been 100% dependent upon the amount of diligence we could bring to bear amidst all of our other continuing responsibilities of life.  In essence, we collected a valuable (invaluable?) treasure trove of information and real-world “learnings” that we felt could benefit others whom, like us, have been faced with life-altering health crises and tragedies.  And, we wanted to share it with others so that they could focus as much time as possible on the stricken loved one’s physical, cognitive and emotional support and well-being -- instead of spending precious hours upon hours digging into a massively frustrating and broken health care system that spends too little time focusing on these long-term care realities that all of us have faced, are facing now, or inevitably will face.

And, from this diligence -- from our blood, sweat and tears (literally) -- I have launched my new website “Long-Term Care Sherpa” -- which is intended to be a guide to all faced with these issues.  To help them organize their own odysseys when they get “that dreaded call.”  To identify major issues that deserve focus (some immediately ... with massive adverse consequences if they are not addressed immediately).  To collect, consolidate and offer resources.  To provide support and a forum for all to tell their own stories -- and to help others in the process.

But, Long-Term Care Sherpa isn’t only intended to be relevant to long-term solutions and care for aging parents.  My goal is for my new site to be a resource for all those families impacted by a health tragedy that may require long-term care.  This can be a parent, of course.  But, it also can be a brother.  A sister.  A child.

So, come with me on my journey, if you believe it may help you on your own.  My family and I are at the beginning of our latest trek.  It is daunting.  I hope to make it less so.  I hope to be your guide to minimize the pain.  To ultimately find the solution that is “right” for you, your family, and most of all, your loved one at the center of it all.

I will be your sherpa ....

For Family Videos, Less Is, Well Less: Welcome to the Age of Video Snippets

A few months back, I wrote a piece for Huffington Post that is apt for this holiday time of year where precious memories are made -- and worthy of being captured.  I believe it is apt to republish -- and underscore the main point -- which is, “LET THE CAMERA RUN!  Use a Camcorder -- NOT your mobile phone -- to capture your family moments!”  Here it is -- as summarized in my own blog (as well as the link to the HuffPo article).

My most recent Huffington Post guest article was posted yesterday -- titled "For Family Videos, Less Is, Well Less: Welcome to the Age of Video Snippets."  In it, I discuss the "experiential" differences between camcorder shot videos (slices of life) of yesteryear compared with today's smart phone captured videos (snippets of life).  And, I argue that -- for your personal family video memories -- you want the longer-form slices, not ADD-style snippets.

What led me to this realization?  Transferring 70 of my MiniDV tapes online -- tapes that had been languishing in a plastic bin in my garage for the past umpteen years.  A company called YesVideo -- that promises to "Bring your home movies to life" -- made that all possible.  I packed them all up.  Shipped them out.  And, 30 days later, voila!  They are now online for viewing.

Magical viewing.  Viewing of our memories.  Viewing of our slices of life.

Do you want to view your precious family memories?  YES you can!  It is a service that I recommend ... highly.  And, do it before those near-forgotten videos (MiniDVs, VHS, 8 mm, Super 8) degrade.  Priceless.

The one risk to be aware of when using any kind of cloud-based service (like YesVideo) is the possibility that the service ultimately goes out of business.  If that were to happen, what happens to all of those precious memories?  The company is not an 800 pound gorilla (yet) after all.  And, this risk isn't theoretical.  Remember the famous Flip cam and its companion cloud-based storage and streaming service?  It was massive at one point -- and then shuttered -- AFTER 800 pound gorilla Cisco had acquired it!  Flip users -- who had uploaded all of their Flip videos -- were essentially told by Cisco to fend for themselves.

So, to protect yourself from this possibility, I recommend that you order physical DVDs from YesVideo, in addition to transferring those videos online.  Then you have the back-up you need -- and the peace of mind you want.

5 Questions with Causora’s CEO Kai Buehler -- My Exclusive Q&A

      LA-based Causora is a so-called “double bottom line” company -- it is absolutely “for profit,” but its success is also measured by positive social impact.  Causora makes it easy for any “cause” to easily incorporate a giving element to its website and match each donated dollar with an equal dollar value benefit from any one of Causora’s scores of partners.  Want to donate $20 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for the recent devastating Philippine typhoon?  You can -- and now you can select an equal $20 of value from any retail partner in Causora’s fast-expanding network (including shops, restaurants and spas).  In essence, Causora rewards donations -- thereby driving greater giving.  Everyone wins in this model -- the cause itself, the “giver” (who feels good about supporting his or her favorite cause - and gets rewarded for giving), and the retail partner (who gains by opening itself up to new customers and greater monetization).

      Serial entrepreneur Kai Buehler is Causora’s Founder & CEO.  Kai has built and sold multiple digital media companies, and I believe he is onto something powerful with Causora -- definitely a company to watch.  So, on with the 5 questions!

     (1) What is the reason your company exists (and what problem(s) are you looking to solve)? 

      

      We are re-inventing philanthropy.  Causora is a One-for-One giving platform that rewards donations. Our mission is to help causes raise more funds by rewarding donations with the support of our network of 150+ socially conscious merchants.

We’re a team of entrepreneurs, engineers, strategists, and general do-gooders who are hoping to change the face of philanthropy. We love what we do and hope you are equally impressed with Causora.

Check out our video to see how we do it –

https://causora.com/how-it-works/?autoplay=1

(2) How are you different from your competitors?

Causora has created a new ecosystem that links donors, charities, and businesses.  When you donate you earn rewards at socially conscious merchants. You feel good because you are supporting your favorite cause; getting a reward, and supporting socially conscious businesses.   Businesses are able to be philanthropic while gaining new, like-minded customers.  Causes and charities earn more money and can give donors a thank you gift.  Everyone wins.

(3) Why will you succeed (and what is your single most important ingredient for success)?

We have a great founder team that has had six successful start-up exits combined and we are ready to make our investors happy again. Our value proposition is unique – Donate a $, get a $ to spend and we are ready to disrupt a huge market.

(4) What makes you unique (and what do you enjoy most outside of building your business)?

I love having the entrepreneurial freedom to have an idea at breakfast, test it, discuss it with my team and know by the end of the day, if is worthwhile investing further resources into it. I am a passionate and optimistic human being and love to make a social impact with my current venture. Family and friends are most important in my live and it is great to go back to Europe once a year to see my family there.

(5) What digital media trend is most interesting to you (and what is the least)?

Drones and robotics – how great is that?  It’s fascinating to see what business opportunities are being created out of the commercial launch of drones, driver-less cars and robotics. At the same time there is a lot of hype and ambiguity around these trends, which makes it less interesting.

VIDEO - My Moderated Panel Discussion “Online Distribution & Monetization Strategies for the TV Industry"

Last month, I moderated a panel titled “Online Distribution & Monetization Strategies for the TV Industry” at the Streaming Media West conference.  Great panel that featured senior executives from USA Networks, Starz, Yahoo! and Innovative Artists.  Here is a the full video from the panel discussion.

Tesla - My First 6 Months with the Model S -- A Review

I have now had my Tesla Model S for 6 months.  In that time, I have driven 9,000 miles.  Been rear-ended once.  Had a flat tire.  Heard the news (and have seen the videos) about 3 Tesla fires.  And, have observed Tesla’s stock rise from $48 to $190 -- and now fall back down to $120 (as a result of those fires).

And, all the while, I love my car.  And, I am not alone on that point.  I know several other Tesla owners in my ‘hood -- and all of them feel the same.  We are as passionate about our cars today as we were back then when we first held the keys (well, first sat down in the driver’s seat, since there are no keys).

It is simply a great car.  Not perfect (in fact, several rather “obvious” things were overlooked -- I have written about this in detail several times before -- here are my primary complaints of the 2013 Model S, some of which have already been addressed in later iterations).  But, it is a great piece of technology.  Beautiful.  Utilitarian.  Safe (just listen to the owners involved in those 3 fires -- they will attest to that).  And, good for the planet.  Yes, it is expensive.  But no more expensive than any other high end luxury car like the BMW 750 Li (which was my previous car).  Oh yes, and you don’t need to pay for gas with this one.  Let’s not forget about considering that in your personal financial analysis.  I drive back and forth from San Diego to LA weekly, so I save hundreds of dollars of gas each month -- several hundreds.

After 6 months, the reviews are in.  And, those smiles say it all.

(And no, I am not a paid spokesperson for Tesla.)

Here is my first -- and very deep -- review of the entire Tesla buying experience (from first point of contact to actual car pick-up).

Here is my second review -- my first 30 days with my Model S.

Here is my third review -- my first 60 days with my Model S.

And, my fourth review -- my first 90 days with my Model S.

This post marks my fifth review.  My next likely will be at my one-year anniversary.

(Here’s my bonus to you:  my somewhat crazy -- but perhaps not so crazy after all -- rationale for Apple to buy Tesla.)

My Collected EXCLUSIVE “5 Questions With” Q&A Series - Gyft, MovieLaLa, Kiosked, LittleCast, MediaHound, Mixify

I recently began my exclusive “5 Questions With” Q&A series with innovative companies and execs I believe are worth checking out and following in the digital media and technology worlds.

Here, I have consolidated all of those to date for your weekend reading ... and learning.  Consider this my free “book” to you in this holiday season (and expect more each week -- I have a great “coming soon” line-up).

(1) Gyft - COO CJ MacDonald

(2) MovieLaLa -- CEO/Founder Dana Loberg

(3) Mixify - CEO/Founder David Moricca

(4) Kiosked - Founder Antti Pasila

(5) MediaHound - CEO/Founder Addison McCaleb

(6) LittleCast - CEO/Founder Amra Tareen

R.I.P. S.S. Coachella

Long-time readers of my blog know that I am a passionate music and music festival fan.  Last year -- about this time -- I set sail on the inaugural S.S. Coachella music festival in the Caribbean.  AEG’s Golden Voice took the massive “Coachella” brand about as far away from the desert as you can get -- a full 180 degree turn -- as we set sale for the Bahamas.  

The results?  Spectacular.  At least for those of us fortunate to experience it (here is last year’s post/review of the event).

Apparently not so spectacular for AEG though.  Looks like the S.S. Coachella is “one and done” -- and we may never see that great event ever again.  Chances faded as June and July passed by with nary a peep about the ocean-based event -- a personal shame because I had absolutely planned on experiencing it again (and inviting many others to join me and my wife, Luisa, this time around).

R.I.P. S.S. Coachella.  Am glad -- and fortunate -- to have known you.  One of the most memorable 5 days of my life.

5 Questions with Mixify’s CEO David Moricca -- My Exclusive Q&A

Mixify is a NYC-based digital media start-up at the heart of the already-massive (and seemingly unstoppable) electronic dance music (EDM) scene.  The company has its own portal for sharing EDM playlists -- but has really hit its stride with live remote, but full-scale, DJ sets.  Imagine attending a major university off the beaten track (like Des Moines) (by the way, I can get away with that reference because I myself am from the frozen tundra of the Midwest).  And, imagine your wanting to experience a live set by your favorite DJ.  Well, that ain’t gonna happen in Des Moines and countless other markets ... until now.  Now, your DJ can stream live from anywhere directly to a club in your remote city -- and can fully customize his/her set for you and the club.  Even more, your DJ and you can interact directly during the set.  Mixify, in other words, brings the virtual and physical worlds together to enable entirely new experiences.  That is powerful.

I have been watching this company for several months, and believe they are onto something.  For this reason, I asked Founder & CEO David Moricca to tell us more in this, my latest, post in my continuing “5 Questions With ...” series.  David is smart, passionate, and believes -- as do I -- in the immense power of music.

Now, onto the questions!

(1) What is the reason your company exists (and what problem(s) are you looking to solve)?

Mixify.com (live streaming site) exists as a platform to enable EDM DJs to engage their fans online and grow their social following.

Mixify Clubcast (2-way live streaming into venues) exists to provide venues and promoters in secondary US and international markets a way to bring big-name DJs into their events in an immersive and personalized way, but at a fraction of the cost.

(2) How are you different from your competitors?

With Mixify.com, we differentiate ourselves primarily through the level of interaction and access the experience provides. With a mixify.com live stream, the artist and fan have a truly shared, participatory experience as opposed to a one way consumption experience.

With Mixify Clubcast, we are redefining live streaming to be not only about streaming out from big events, but streaming desirable artists into smaller markets and events. The differentiation comes through our technology, industry relationships and the fact that we are creating a new market with promoters and venues.

(3) Why will you succeed (and what is your single most important ingredient for success)?

We believe we will succeed because we know how to execute well in a market full of challenges, and because we have created a revenue model that is purely additive to every part of the value chain (artists, manager, agents, promoters, venues and fans).

(4) What makes you unique (and what do you enjoy most outside of building your business)?

Outside of building Mixify, I am enjoying being a Dad of 2 young boys – a 4-year old and a 1-year old. It does not get better that for me.

(5) What digital media trend is most interesting to you (and what is the least)?

Clearly, given the market I am in, I am most interested and excited by how live streaming can change the way fans experience different types of content (music, comedy, sports) and in different settings (homes, movie theaters, clubs). We are only at the tip of the iceberg here.

Cody Lovaas - Bill Silva Calls Him Jason Mraz’s “Protege"

I have written several times of 15-year old musical talent Cody Lovaas, whom I have called “the next Jack Johnson.”  I was fortunate to host a showcase at my home in San Diego a couple months back -- and he killed it.  Click here to watch him sing a Jack Johnson cover at this event.

Bill Silva Management obviously feels the same, and signed him onto its roster several months ago.  In a press release just last week, Silva called Cody a “protege” of Jazon Mraz -- high praise for the fellow San Diegan.

And, Silva announced that Cody is slated to release new music in 2014 -- great news for all of us who are absolute believers that this kid has it all -- most importantly, great musical talent.

Macklemore - My iPhone 5S Images From Last Night’s Concert in San Diego

This Close

 Great show -- all captured on my iPhone 5S

My 14 Year Old Daughter Likes Coldplay!

Taking the time.  Investing time in the things that matter most.  Pausing and reflecting.  There is an effect.  (I previously wrote a post about this concept titled “Pause & Reflect - The Cause & Effect.”)

Case in point.  Last night my family and I attended -- for the 12th consecutive time -- the annual “Lighting of the Del” holiday celebration at the world-famous Hotel del Coronado, a remarkable place down here in San Diego.  Hot chocolate.  Ice skating on an outdoor rink right off the beach and overlooking the ocean with a magical sunset.  Fireworks.  Food.  Friends.   Libations.  Yes, even Santa for those wanting to sit on a lap.

Another classic evening.  And, now a long-time Csathy family tradition.  Every one of us -- including our girl Hunter, age 14, and our boy Luca, age 11 -- look forward to this event every year.  It is simply an integral part of our Xmas season.  No matter how busy we are - with work, with school, with other life matters - we set this late afternoon/evening each year aside.  We invest the time.  And the effect is a magical evening that is ingrained in our hearts and minds forever.  Family memories that I have no doubt our kids will share with their kids.  Deeply embedded in their little psyches.

As we drove back from the Del together, my daughter -- a music lover like me -- manned the sound system with her iPhone.  She was the DJ.  Using a new music app that I had never known before, which is quite a feat because I know the digital music space quite well -- an app that you should check out called 8tracks (see, I squeezed a digital media angle in this very personal blog post!) -- she played a play-list that featured a classic Coldplay song.  “Fix You.”  That is a song that I used to crank in my home over and over and over again years and years ago -- from the time she was a toddler.

And, here’s the point.  My 14 year-old daughter never has been a Coldplay fan.  She never listens to Coldplay.  Let’s face it, Coldplay ain’t cool for 14 year-old girls.  But, she was in the moment.  A family moment.  A nostalgic moment.  A moment that reflected an investment of time over the years.  So, rather than skip that song, she asked me to crank up the volume once again -- just like I used to “back in the day.”  I obliged.  Cranked it to 11.  And, it became a magical moment that I never will forget.  Really won’t. All of us sang the entire classic song in full voice.  It was our “Tiny Dancer” moment a la the movie “Almost Famous.”

I don’t think my 14 year-old girl will forget that moment either ....

Join Me at CES - On 2 Digital Media Panels

Ahh yes, ’tis the season.  And, that means that the annual mega-media/tech ritual known as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is right around the corner.

Depending on what your state of mind is, start off the new year right by joining me at CES.  This is my 10th (?) CES (really, who counts anymore?).  And, I will participate in two separate digital media panels on Monday, January 6th -- moderating one and serving as a panelist on the other.

I will moderate the opening panel for Digital Media Wire’s “Digital Music at International CES” sub-conference -- it is titled “The State of Digital Music: A View from the Top” and features top execs from various segments of the music eco-system in order to give different (and perhaps divergent) perspectives (i.e., John Rubey, President of AEG Network Live; Eric Johnson, EVP & GM of Games & Media at CBS Interactive; long-time top music exec Jay Boberg, Chairman of INgrooves Fontana; and Nick Panama, co-founder of Cantora, Mainframe Group who manage top acts like MGMT).

My second panel is titled “The New Hollywood Equation - Content Owners, New Platforms, Agents & Commerce” and is part of “Digital Hollywood” at CES.  I will join other fellow panelists Glasgwow Phillips, SVP Creative for leading MCN Maker Studios; Sarah Passe, Business Development executive at leading talent agency Creative Artists Agency; David Tochterman, Head of Digital Media at fellow agency Innovative Artists; Steven Katelman, partner at law firm Greenberg Traurig; Craig Palmer, CEO of Wikia; Lisa Black, EVP Content & Business Development of Vin Di Bona Productions; and moderator Mark Kapczynski, COO of Kontrol Media.

Come watch the sparks fly (or not) on these panels -- or reach out to me via LinkedIn to schedule a meeting.  That’s the best way to squeeze the most utility out of CES.