Conference Review: “Be Brief, Brother Be Brief” - December 2005  

S&T's US correspondent Mark J Jeffers dusts off his reporter’s notepad and attends Street & Smith’s Sports Media & Technology conference held in New York City in November 2005.

So, I’m cruising through my e-mails and what should appear before my wondering eyes, but an assignment from the Sport and Technology Editor. My assignment was to cover the 7th Annual Street & Smith’s/Players Inc. Sports Media & Technology conference held in New York City.
The conference name alone was more than half the editorial space I usually receive, so I took the job. When I first sat down, I thought, maybe I could just watch the replay of the conference on my cell phone, no such luck, but it was actually quite well done.
CBS Digital Media President Larry Kramer set the tone with his comments on the evolution of mobile content in the US: “It is about people’s choice of when they want information and what they are willing to give up to get it at a certain time. Are you willing to see something on a small screen if it means seeing it sooner?”
The conference was divided up into a number of quite interesting sessions. “How Media Impacts Traditional Television,” featured CBS Sports Senior VP/Programming Mike Aresco, Desser Sports Media Principal Ed Desser, YES Network President & CEO Tracy Dolgin, NHL Senior VP/TV & Media Ventures Doug Perlman and Pilson Communications President Neal Pilson. The lively discussion centered around, “how the heck are we going to deal with cell phones and ipods carrying sports content?” One thought that was bantered about was that fans will probably not watch entire matches on their portable device, but would look for highlights and scores.
Another interesting panel discussion was Fantasy Sports’ Emerging Markets, where the international expansion of the Fantasy Football Game was discussed. Panelists included Clay Walker, SVP Players Inc., Fantasy Sports Magazine editor Greg Ambrosius, EA Sports National Marketing Director Brian Taptich, ProTrade Founder Mike Kerns and Head2Head Sports Founder Bill Reinking. Another theme in the fantasy world is “once you play…you stay,” I tend to agree as I have more than once been fully engrossed in making my Fantasy the best it can be, and I also like to play on the computer [Note from the Editor – “Steady on there Jeffers!”].
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association President & CEO Steve Largent delivered the keynote address. The NFL Hall of Famer delivered a fun speech; starting with a line I will use again…the 5Bs of a good speech. “Be Brief, Brother Be Brief.” Largent discussed how consumers are looking for one device to deal with all the consumer communication needs. I couldn’t agree more with Steve. I like to have that on my TV system at home as well. Largent also predicted the cost of wireless devices will continue to come down as competition heats up, and with wireless companies partnering with cable companies, these partnerships will deliver more and better service to customers.
Big names, cutting edge topics and lively discussion, the 7th Annual Street & Smith’s/Players Inc. Sports Media & Technology conference was a booming success. The only problem I had was there was no cell service at the venue…

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