CES Tech Talk

For this entrepreneur, the American Dream came true in Eureka Park at CES. The year was 2020 and Shark Tank scouts were combing the floor, as they’ve done for about a decade, searching for exciting strokes of tech genius. When they met Robbie Cabral, they were blown away. This episode of CES Tech Talk explores how Robbie and his padlock innovation, the fingerprint-activated BenjiLock, made their way to the Shark Tank studio, earning a highly lucrative deal with the show’s “Mr. Wonderful” shark, Kevin O’Leary. Today, the biometric BenjiLock is sold through Hampton Products International, and can be purchased across retail’s top outlets including Walmart, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Amazon. Learn what Supervising Casting Producer Mindy Zemrak saw in Robbie, how BenjiLock stood out, and strategies Eureka Park exhibitors can apply as they contend for the Shark Tank spotlight. Could you be next? Find out what it takes, and what to expect at CES 2024.

AI is everywhere, and has been at work for years in our social media feeds, navigation apps and streaming platforms. Now, it’s increasingly helping businesses improve customer service, manage supply chains and more. As generative AI through ChatGPT, DALL-E and many others is grabbing headlines, investors are taking notice. Here to explain how AI works and what it means to consumers, as well as to tech indices, are Sara Mehle, Nasdaq index research strategist, and Brian Comiskey, CTA director of thematic programs. In less than 32 minutes, they break the tech down for general audiences and investors: AI at its core is simply a digital utility. It’s a tool that’s only as smart as the people programming its operations and setting its boundaries.

With Warner Bros. Discovery, and its 28 networks that span digital media, attaining detailed data on ad impact demands a sort of alchemy. This media behemoth is compiling and applying data ingeniously across its properties to effectively connect advertisers with their target audiences. Andrea Zapata, head of ad sales research at Warner Bros. Discovery, breaks down strategies that get results in this episode of CES Tech Talk. Get the full story about ad data collection done right.

From music to TV and film, Variety is all over what’s happening in the entertainment industry. Three years into the company’s Variety Intelligence Platform (or VIP, as it’s known to insiders), which goes beyond headlines to alert media businesses of developments in their industries, Variety has accumulated deep insight into what makes media platforms and products succeed. Variety’s Andrew Wallenstein discusses the media business in this episode of CES Tech Talk, observing that the question on everyone’s mind is, “Who will be left standing?” In this intensely competitive business, Andrew offers predictions on specific platforms’ futures. Find out what he foresees for the metaverse, virtual reality applications, industry mergers and more.

With the largest podcast network in the U.S. and Canada, SXM Media has a lot to offer listeners – and brands seeking to target audiences with extreme precision. The company has mastered advertising technology, or ad tech, employing it to steer advertising to better target audiences that creators seek while informing listeners in ways that entertain. SXM Media, by the way, knows how to advertise with impact. It’s the combined sales organization of Sirius XM Holdings, Inc., which includes the Pandora and Stitcher platforms, and their audiences totaling some 150 million listeners. So, what does SXM Media do in advertising that others don’t? SXM Media ad SVP Lizzie Widhelm shares deep insights gleaned from 17 years in the audio-entertainment space. She also brings first-person experience from her role as creator of the popular Lady Space podcast.

From cameras to hairdryers, shavers, headphones and much more, Panasonic has been giving the consumer electronics public what it wants, and needs, for 105 years. Now this global business is prioritizing sustainability with EV batteries and high-efficiency car accessories such as stereos. With American operations and manufacturing that span 60 years, Panasonic is building sustainability solutions in the U.S. Its production facility for EV batteries, in partnership with Tesla, is in Reno, NV. More of the company’s sustainability story is detailed in this episode of CES Tech Talk as Panasonic North America CEO, Megan Myungwon Lee, discusses an ambitious planet-friendly mission. Find out what else Panasonic has in store. Hint: It has to do with hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

For broadcast programming, is there a right way to insert commercials into popular shows? NBCUniversal’s Yusuf Chuku says yes. As the corporation’s executive VP of client strategy and insights, he should know. Audiences shouldn’t just tolerate ads, but enjoy and appreciate them. He cites engagement with advertising on NBC Universal’s Peacock channel as proof. In this episode of CES Tech Talk, Yusuf discusses how to incorporate ads into compelling programs for better user engagement.

What’s the outlook for autonomous cars taking over our roadways? Are EVs and self-driving cars really the future of transportation? MotorTrend has been investigating, and credibly reporting on, these and other questions ever since vehicle tech first challenged the internal combustible engine we all know so well. The magazine’s president, Alex Wellen, discusses how MotorTrend, a publishing industry success story, sees the car-driving future.

A Web3 platform that fosters digital creative control: Priceless. This is the Mastercard Artist Accelerator, launched at CES 2023. Because Mastercard recognizes that effective marketing must be value-based and purpose-driven, the company created this Web3 creative collective. As explained by Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard CMO, the platform is intended to give artists and athletes greater digital and financial control over their brand. He’s joined in this episode by Crystal Dunn, U.S. women’s soccer champion and Mastercard brand ambassador. She shares her views on the Mastercard accelerator, and how initiatives like this can heighten creative performance, whether in the studio or on the playing field.

With Super Bowl wins in 2022 and 2000, the Los Angeles Rams continue to demonstrate a champion mindset. As hallmarks of the team’s progressive culture, the Rams embraced the first Black contracted player, first male cheerleader and first openly gay player, and now welcomes advanced technology. What’s new, and how will technology further propel a team that draws outside the lines to make things happen? Listen to Jennifer Prince, the organization’s first chief commercial officer, as she talks about the Los Angeles Rams at CES, and ways that technology and sports converge.

Metaverse means many different things to different audiences. Helping to give it shape for businesses, design firm Journey launched in 2022 as an innovation consultancy. Discover how Journey’s Cathy Hackl, the sector’s first executive to hold the title of Chief Metaverse Officer, guides brands seeking to break into new virtual worlds. Journey steers businesses in their quest to leverage Web3 and metaverse-native technologies for NFTs, gaming, virtual fashion, virtual worlds and more to build audiences in deeply immersive virtual spaces.

Comedian Kevin Hart’s production company, Hartbeat, is on a mission to elevate brands and strengthen societal connections through laughter. The company leads the comedic entertainment field, producing film, TV, digital and live programming through a wide range of digital platforms the company defines as talent activators. Listen to HartBeat CEO Thai Randolph as she discusses highly-rated programs -- including Hart to Hart and Cold as Balls – that change minds through funny and thought-provoking stories. Collectively, these programs have attracted to their stages the likes of John Travolta, Jay-Z, Tracee Ellis Ross and many more, as well as athletes from the NBA, NFL and WWE.

From Progresso Soup to Lucky Charms cereal and Totino’s Pizza Rolls, General Mills has been satisfying hunger pangs for decades. But how does a company with so many tastes to appease stay ahead in these intensely competitive times, and when obesity and sustainability are top of mind for more consumers? Find out how General Mills is working to tackle diabetes while nurturing sustainable farming practices in this interview with Doug Martin, chief brand and disruptive growth officer.

In a record-breaking year for Christie’s Auction House, sales totaled $8.4 billion in 2022. Among the Andy Warhol, Man Ray and other masterpieces purchased were NFTs. Because luxury now transcends the physical world, Christie’s, too, has evolved with transactions in blockchain creations of distinction. Christie’s Senior VP of Marketing Neda Whitney discusses AR, VR and other technologies that take fine art purchases beyond the physical auction floor.

If you’re a tech consumer across the Americas, you know Best Buy. The brand is built on outstanding consumer experiences enabled through technology. Best Buy prides itself on bettering the customer’s quality of life and livelihood through devices, accessories, toys and games, all while working to preserve the planet. Find out how Best Buy sustains its status as customers’ go-to for virtually anything tech. Is the metaverse next? Chief Customer Officer Allison Peterson has a lot to say about the physical and virtual worlds Best Buy occupies, and may master next.

Smokey Bear. Crash Test Dummies. Love Has No Labels. These iconic advertising campaigns reflect how the Ad Council applies creativity to causes that sway millions. As explained by Ashley Menschner, senior VP of media, the council harnesses every available platform in advertising to educate audiences on matters such as addiction, gun safety and, coming soon, mental health. Founded in 1942 as the War Advertising Council, this nonprofit has no fear of what’s new in media. This week on CES Tech Talk, find out what the Ad Council is considering as the metaverse matures.

How do businesses reap metaverse rewards as they map their investment strategies? Find out how one of the world’s top consulting firms, Accenture, formulates approaches that guide companies’ paths across this exploding market. Accenture’s Denise Zheng offers insights for success.

Allen Media Group, the first African-American owned and multi-platform media company, owns 36 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX network affiliate TV stations in 21 U.S. markets, as well as 12 HD television networks serving nearly 220 million subscribers 24 hours a day. With brands including The Weather Channel, TheGrio and Pets.TV, the company has prospered by investing aggressively in high-quality production values, and in deeply localized programming. Founder and Chairman – and former stand-up comedian – Byron Allen discusses how he beat the odds to build a broadcasting empire by challenging content models, taking risks and embracing what’s close to home.

How does a manufacturer of computer software and accessories such as webcams, keyboards and mice stand out in an intensely competitive global market? Logitech does it by answering to influencers and creators so they can tell their own story the way they choose. Logitech Global CMO Najoh Tita-Reid explains how the company leads in its space by carefully targeted development, delivery and marketing of products laser-focused on a generation that is brilliant, creative and knows what it wants.

Salesforce’s Domenico D'Ambrosio talks with James Kotecki in the C Space Studio to discuss understanding your customer in a tech-centric world.

Snap's Kenny Mitchell joins James Kotecki in the CES C Space Studio to discuss his creative approach to marketing in the new AR market.

CES 2023 is home to the fastest, smartest and most innovative concepts in mobility. Touching land, air, and sea, exhibitors in the automotive and mobility space are unveiling their latest breakthroughs at the sold-out West Hall and beyond. Join our roundtable of media experts discussing this year’s most transformative trends that are driving buzz and the future of transportation.

CES 2023 is convening lawmakers from across the halls of Congress in record numbers as tech policy takes priority on legislative agendas nationwide. Don't miss this roundtable with media experts discussing the hot topics dominating their show coverage. Find out who they're talking to and what may lie ahead under new leadership on Capitol Hill.

CES 2023 is right around the corner. With a show-floor size 70% larger than 2022, 3000 exhibitors - of which 1000 are new to CES - this year's show is set to impress, inspire and influence the global tech industry. Hear from top CES leaders on what you should see and why, and how you should plan your visit. Hear all this and more as they discuss how CES 2023 will be unlike any show before it.

It's designed for the small business that works big. Hear from Lenovo's Tom Butler how the new ThinkBook is built to do the job of creatives, consultants and office managers. All this and in style, too. Get an insider's look at what Lenovo has in store at CES 2023. Hint: High-performance cameras, AI capabilities, noise cancellation. Lenovo has a laser-beam focus on powering the dynamic sole worker and small-business teams competing with the power players.

Find out how business interests of profitability, market share, recruitment, retention and more align with the United Nations-backed campaign, Human Security for All. This campaign, also the central theme of CES 2023, represents a new paradigm in strategic corporate operations. It’s one that aligns key aspects of human well-being with businesses’ ability to prosper. In the tech industry, companies that embrace and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, food security, healthcare and basic human needs will be the ones that prevail, competitively and financially. Human Security for All is explained by Walt Stinson who is a leader of the campaign for U.N. partner organization, World Academy of Art and Science. He also shares what attendees will see and experience on this front at CES 2023.

The average household in the U.S., alone, consumes 300 gallons of water per day, or 100,000 a year. If every American household used a mere 5% less water daily, 600 billion gallons of water annually would be conserved. To address this challenge while delighting consumers with beautiful, functional products, Moen offers the Smart Water Network. Via technology and an app that integrates with Google, Alexa, Ring and more, program your shower to a specific temperature. Tell your tap how much pressure you want. Get your water to do what you want at home -- and keep an eye on it when you’re out. Moen’s Mason Hall delves into the many ways that his company’s technology is harnessing perhaps our most precious resource.

Today, there’s no doing a day’s wash in microgravity. On the International Space Station, clothes are worn for days on end, then discarded and burned upon re-entry. That’s wasteful. . For longer, more distant voyages NASA foresees in the future, laundry-less conditions are not an option. That’s where Procter & Gamble and Tide come in. Find out how P&G is solving the space-laundry conundrum in ways that also will lessen water waste on Earth.

Today’s gamer expects an experience beyond three dimensions. Razer gives it to them, and continues to innovate at a white-hot pace. How does this company maintain and extend its appeal to kids, senior citizens and everyone in between? Razer’s Bob Ohlweiler, SVP of sales and marketing, explains that when world-renowned gaming equipment is made for gamers, by gamers, highly selective audiences get what they want. Find out what the gaming community can expect when Razer unleashes its latest innovations at CES 2023.

TikTok today is too big to stay on the mobile screen alone. The platform's community orientation has driven its status as a global go-to for authentic videos and feedback that inform, entertain and persuade. Hear from TikTok's Dan Page, head of global business development for new screens, as he reveals how and where TikTok content is coming next. New screens for TikTok's fantastic little stories are getting bigger. Much bigger.

Panasonic is about a lot more than electronic products that improve the quality of life at home, work and play. Through the company's Hussmann division, consumers also benefit from reduced pollution caused by refrigerants, as well as improved food sustainability. Discover what many don't know about a leading contributor to greenhouse gasses and global warming. Yes, the refrigerator and related accessories -- particularly in commercial applications -- are far from blameless as pollution threats. Hussmann is mitigating refrigeration's global warming potential (GWP) with too often unsung technologies. Hear from Tim Figge, Hussmann Panasonic CEO, as he shares how the company is tackling the dark side of the refrigerator case.

Is it an earbud or a hearing aid? Now it's both, and for thousands less than prescription options. Nuheara CEO John R. Luna tells how and why ears everywhere are finally getting the treatment they deserve. With an advanced hearing aid -- an FDA-approved, OTC medical device -- that complements the company's popular consumer earbuds, Nuheara is intent on boosting the sound experience for millions of consumers. You'll learn that this hearing-health device isn't yesterday's behind-the-ear model. It's sleek ear gear with looks that rival buds favored by discriminating audiophiles. But appearance isn't everything. Directional microphones, a customizable fit and more can improve hearing by 30%. Find out what Nuheara has planned for CES 2023; the world's about to sound better.

From the ocean floor to the stratosphere, Siemens is advancing sustainability as it speeds the manufacture of life-changing products and structures. This episode explores Siemens Xcelerator and digital twin technology that advanced undersea farming through Nemo’s Garden. The tech also propelled Space Perspective’s stratospheric balloon flights for carbon-neutral tourism 100,000 feet above Earth. Brenda Discher, Siemens SVP of business strategy and marketing, vividly explains how hyper-advanced automation transforms manufacturing that dramatically advances human security.

Beyond autonomous racecars hitting speeds north of 180 mph as they burn up the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) will display fresh marvels of technological excellence. In this CES Tech Talk episode, IAC President Paul Mitchell discusses the competition with host James Kotecki, sharing that the January 7 event will showcase a highly complex blend of technologies ranging from AR and VR to automation and high-speed communication. Find out what's planned for the Innovation Paddock in West Hall. Spoiler: Think mammoth garages packed with the newest gear and more from the geniuses of robot car tech. Paul also teases some of what to expect, tech-wise, when the IAC returns to Las Vegas.

Launching Season 6 of the CES Tech Talk podcast, Episode 1 features Garry Jacobs, president and CEO of World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), discussing the critical role of technology as a means for attaining human security for all. He shares with host James Kotecki the ways that the WAAS alliance with CES can contribute to enduring human security solutions. The purpose, which will be seen throughout CES 2023, is to foster collaborations among businesses that innovate toward an end to famine, disease, conflict, climate change and other global challenges.

Is it a look at the future of mobility or the future of sports? Tune in to CES Tech Talk with James Kotecki and Energy Systems Network President and CEO, Paul Mitchell to learn more about automotive innovation and how the technology behind a high speed motor vehicle can be applied to other industries.

This week on CES Tech Talk, Abbott joins the show to discuss how biosensing tech, remote cardiac care unbound by borders and a concussion blood test are nearer to being realities than ever before. This is the future of healthcare technology that’s unlocking the possibility of you. Guests: Beth McQuiston, M.D., R.D., medical director for Abbott's diagnostics business Philip Adamson, M.D., DVP Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Heart Failure Marc Taub, Ph.D. divisional vice president of Technical Operations for Abbott's diabetes business

One of Oprah’s Favorite Things, Hydrow rowing machines create immersive experience of live and on-demand workouts from the water. Tune in to the latest CES Tech Talk to hear James Kotecki’s conversation with Hydrow CEO and Founder Bruce Smith about how these experiences come together and what to expect at CES.

This week, James Kotecki chats with two innovators in the NFT space – Dillon Rosenblatt, CEO and Co-Founder of Autograph, and Roxy Fata, Chief Operating Officer of Infinite Objects. Tune in to learn how NFTs are changing the way we collect and view items in the digital world.

Join James Kotecki as he talks with Neeraj Gupta, VP and GM of Space Destinations at Sierra Space. The company recently announced a partnership with Blue Origin to build a private space station called Orbital Reef.

CTA's Gary Shapiro and CES' Karen Chupka recap the first-ever all-digital CES. Guests: Karen Chupka, EVP CES, Consumer Technology Association Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, Consumer Technology Association

One of SafeRide’s co-founders joins Tech Talk to take a deeper dive into what AI and Deep Learning mean for the increasingly connected automotive sector. Find out what SafeRide is most excited about going into the CES Digital show...and let’s get to the bottom of what actually happens when the “check engine” light comes on in your car. Guest: Hilik Stein, CTO and Co-Founder, SafeRide Technologies

Join Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener for a rundown on how design and technology intersect to create something more than a car—a digital companion. Guest: Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Daimler Group AG

HERE Technologies is harnessing the power of location technology to “move people, businesses and cities forward.” Join HERE’s Chief Product Officer for a look into what location tech can help us accomplish, how it helped during the pandemic and why HERE is CES ready! Guest: Jørgen Behrens, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer, HERE Technologies

AARP is a catalyst for innovation, working with startups of all shapes and sizes to launch ideas and products to the next level. Andy Miller runs AARP Innovation Labs and will join Tech Talk to talk about the organization’s vision for the world of startups and navigate AARP’s CES journey. Guest: Andy Miller, SVP of Innovation and Product Development, AARP

Hear how technology leaders from Workday and Deloitte are turning the latest trends in tech into tangible moments of enterprise stability, responsibility and diversity to put the future into focus for 2021 and beyond. Guests: Scott Buchholz, Emerging Technology research director and Government & Public Services chief technology officer, Deloitte Consulting LLP Joe Wilson, Chief Technology Officer - North America, Workday

Canon is a CES regular that continues to redefine how we see the world—inspiring us through the images its products capture. Kevin Ogawa, President and CEO, Canon USA, will discuss what his company has in store for us at CES and beyond. Guest: Kevin Ogawa, President and CEO, Canon USA Inc.

Drones are powerful tools that are transforming our lives for the better—from filming to farming to photography and beyond. Adam Bry founded and skyrocketed drone maker Skydio to the top of the U.S. drone market. Find out what makes Skydio’s drones different, get a glimpse into Skydio’s growth patterns and hear what Adam envisions for the future of this game-changing technology. Guest: Adam Bry, Co-Founder and CEO, Skydio

Deeptha Khanna discusses Philips' transition into becoming a digital health company. Guest: Deeptha Khanna, Chief Business Leader Personal Health, Royal Philips

How do you make life somewhat "normal" for your employees during COVID - how do you do it as a leading global technology brand? Find out Sony's approach to adjusting to work life during the pandemic, as well as take a deeper dive into the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives in this latest episode of CES Tech Talk. Guest: Cheryl Goodman, Head of Corporate Communications, Sony Electronics North America