Jan 11 2008

CEA's take on CES Gizmodo prank: Banned!

In reaction to "Gizmodogate," the gadget blog's prank of shutting down flat-screen displays on the show floor and during demos at CES (see Bloggers behaving badly), the conference's organizer, the Consumer Electronics Association, sent me this statement:

We have been informed of inappropriate behavior on the show floor by a credentialed media attendee from the Web site Gizmodo, owned by Gawker Media. Specifically, the Gizmodo staffer interfered with the exhibitor booth operations of numerous companies, including disrupting at least one press event. The Gizmodo staffer violated the terms of CES media credentials and caused harm to CES exhibitors. This Gizmodo staffer has been identified and will be barred from attending any future CES events. Additional sanctions against Gizmodo and Gawker Media are under discussion.

See also: Gizmodo editor Brian Lam's argument against my position on Valleywag (comment No. 7).

Posted in: Televisions
Tags: Gizmodogate, CES 2008, Gizmodo
 

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 4 comments (Page 1 of 1)
Goes to show..
by commorancy January 11, 2008 3:51 PM PST
If you're running equipment that's critical to a presentation at a trade show, be sure to cover up and/or disable things like Infrared ports, Wifi, Bluetooth or other technologies that could be used to disrupt the presentation. I'm fairly sure that most exhibitors in 2009 will have their IR ports fully covered to prevent a recurrence of this type of prank. -- Brian W.
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Why cover ports or disable features?
by aubrey_q January 12, 2008 1:02 AM PST
Why go through all the hassle, Brian? What if your demo or booth REQUIRES Bluetooth, WiFi or the use of the infrared ports? No vendor should have to be inconvenienced in the future because of what one idiot prankster did at CES 2008.
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The Gadget Guru Speaks...
by apargh January 12, 2008 9:34 AM PST
For nearly 20 years I worked every major trade show as a member of the press. For many years, the CES press circle was a very small one and the management of the EIA gave specific advantages to those in its inner circle. When I first started, I was reporting for a single TV station (using a camcorder) and for a single, medium market newspaper. Back then, it was very difficult to receive press credentials from the EIA for CES. It was very political. When my company became a pioneer for Internet coverage, we were not taken seriously and had to pave the way for other online websites attempting to cover this show. It was a difficult task, but we succeeded in opening the doors for others to follow...including Gizmodo. I'll be the first to state that the PR flacks are a pain to deal with, but in the same breath acknowledge the megabucks that are spent by the manufacturers to cater to the press. To see your company intentionally sabotage manufacturer's presentations is nothing short of juvenile and understanding the politics involved, ramifications will surely follow to other bloggers due to your immature actions. Many have forgotten how the CES came to fruition. First and foremost, this show, like other trade shows have a single purpose: For manufacturers to get its products into the distribution cycle. However over the years this has changed and the show floor has been overrun, not by dealers and retailers, but by wannabe press people and those not in the industry just clogging the isles. Due to this "mess," many manufacturers no longer spend the big bucks on massive displays and opt to show their new lineups in private hotel suites. This fact has made it difficult, if not impossible to cover these shows in an efficient manner. Let's face the fact that the CES has transformed from an informative dealer-oriented trade show to nothing less than a circus that seeks publicity. The childish actions by Gizmodo staffers are the crowning achievement that will deliver repercussions to other trade shows as well. Brian, whether or not you were directly involved in the "prank" you and your parent company need to accept responsibility for your actions and pay the price. After all, whether or not you were directly involved, you allowed and boasted of this achievement on your blog. Please accept the blame, post a public apology and move forward. If you cannot accept the responsibility of your actions, don't be surprised, complain or whine when you're not treated as a welcomed member of the press at future conferences. Bloggers, I hope you enjoyed your ride, but due to the juvenile actions of Gizmodo, you may no longer be able to sit at the adult table and will now most likely be delegated to the children's table. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Trust me when I tell you that this can of worms that was opened and boasted by Gizmodo is far from being closed. Gizmodo fired a shot across the bow and if you think this is over, you need to grow up. Trust me when I tell you that not only the EIA/CES management as well as numerous manufactures are filing formal complaints as we speak. Don't be surprised when the fallout comes. I will not hide behind a screen name. Andy Pargh The Gadget Guru
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Much ado about nothing
by HHaller2 January 14, 2008 7:39 AM PST
It was a joke. Get over it.
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