CEDIA announced yesterday its keynote speaker for the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2022 show who appears to offer an interesting departure from past more directly technical keynote presentations. This year’s presenter is Greg Durkin, a marketing and data guy who comes from an entertainment industry marketing background and appears to have expertise in content curation and data analysis.
See more on this unique keynote presenter
Given the unique background of Durkin, who spent nearly a decade as a marketer with Warner Bros. Pictures along with years of data consulting for HBO and Netflix – and who intersects with our industry from a content perspective – he could represent a breath of fresh air that opens the minds of CEDIA integrators to fresh new perspectives on how our systems entertain clients. Or…you could end up catching up on the latest Wordle puzzle on your phone.
I’m going to be the optimist here and say that it looks to me that Durkin will expose many of us to a dramatically different perspective than we normally get at a technical trade event. Perhaps because I too am a marketer, I find the concept of this underrepresented discipline taking center stage at Expo…well, intriguing.
Guts + Data
Greg Durkin is CEO of Guts+Data, an entertainment consulting business that addresses the art and science of entertainment by creating mystical alchemy of data and analytics along with guts and human instinct. It is an interesting blend of concepts that fits nicely with what integrators face daily – helping their clients to find and enjoy entertaining content on their residential technology systems.
The keynote is titled “Entertainment Evolution 2022: Content Overload.” Says CEDIA: “Durkin will speak about invaluable opportunities for integrators in the fast-evolving digital media landscape.” I’m pretty sure integrators put a high value on those invaluable opportunities.
Clients Stranded in Fragmented Content Landscape
The association goes on to note that consumers are “stranded…in a fragmented content landscape” with oodles of content, streaming platforms, and hardware. Durkin’s keynote will show integrators how this ecosystem evolved and identify the challenges and opportunities for streaming and home entertainment.
The CEDIA Expo 2022 keynote presentation is also promised to provide integrators with a map of the “path to expand their service offerings further into content and entertainment support” for clients.
Simplicity is the new luxury, but the fragmentation of streaming platforms and marketing has become a frustrating barrier for customers. It takes longer to find shows, manage subscriptions, and discover content they’ll enjoy. CEDIA members are uniquely positioned to support consumers in navigating these challenges. It naturally ties into their motivation to curate reliable, frictionless connected home experiences. I look forward to sharing findings about this emerging and timely business opportunity with the custom integration community.
Greg Durkin, CEO of Guts+Data
Setting the Tone for Expo of Unbridled Opportunities for Today’s Integrator
CEDIA says it expects this keynote to set the tone for the whole event – a tone of unbridled opportunities for today’s integrator with “tools and knowledge to advance their businesses.” Along with a show floor filled to the brim with top exhibitors, the association has created a prodigious schedule of training and education covering all elements of the business today for integrators and every single member of their team.
The professionals at CEDIA have spent months dissecting the trends, technology, and challenges defining the role of the custom integrator to design this year’s conference program, giving attendees a unique perspective on today’s market and an exclusive glimpse into the future. There’s never been a more important time to attend CEDIA Expo.
Daryl Friedman, CEDIA Global President and CEO
Register now to attend CEDIA Expo 2022. Early bird pricing is available now through July 29 and CEDIA members get free exposition hall entry. Get more details on the keynote presentation and the conference program at: www.cediaexpo.com.
Learn more about CEDIA at www.cedia.net.
Great to see this type of presentation as a CEDIA Expo keynote. “Content is King”, and if the CI community wants to stay in the kingdom they need to understand where it is and where it is taking us. Indeed, I’m also devoting a large part of one of my Expo presentations to that.
However, it is worth noting that this is not the first time an Expo keynoter addressed this topic. Back in San Diego a few years ago John Penny, then an EVP at Fox, gave us a great review of the data around content and how to use that to guide our businesses. I look forward to this year’s keynote with interest.
SEE YOU ALL THERE!
Excellent point Mike
Well worth watching again.
Here’s the link…
https://youtu.be/23FPnUX60TA
Key points below:
1. Direct-to-consumer distribution models deliver data
2. Consumer data is the new oil of engagement
3. Algorithms create advantage and engagement
4. A greater diversity of connected devices in the home based on tech giants battle for supremacy
1. The basic equation of time and money that powers content monetization
2. The value of subscription business models
3. The emerging power of direct-to-consumer business models
4. From our walk down memory lane, the paths to greater device heterogeneity in the home are being laid
1. Conjuring simplicity, the highest performance, and greatest value for customers is a winning strategy
2. Complexity will be increasingly software driven and trustworthy support will be even more important
3. Leveraging home control and automation can drive opportunity
4. You are perfectly positioned to become the consumer’s advocate and learning champion