MacWorld 2007 (kevin smith/illuminator)

Experiences at MacWorld.

*I met Pete Fulford (writer/friend) at the San Francisco Moscone center. We both have not so fond memories of working on huge Oracle, Peoplesoft and other events in the massive building in the past. My feet seemed to sense we were in moscone and started to swell. I had staged managed many shows showing Larry Ellison, Ray Lane, Tom Peters and many more famous speakers where there green rooms were, got them coffee, water, cocaine and hookers to make sure they were comfortable. (ok two of those are real) Then showed them where/when to go on stage. Greeted them when they were finished speaking, told them what a great job they did. (usually this was a lie- not becasue they didnt do a good job but I had 500 other things to do while they spoke)

*Anyway, Pete and I were very excitied to see a talk given by Kevin Smith the filmaker of Clerks, Clerks 2, Jersey Girl, Dogma and other films. The program guide said Kevin would share his story, give tips and advice on filmaking. We took our place in line with the other ultranerds and waited to get a seat.

Turns out Kevin Smith doesnt prepare anything for his talks. He just answers questions from the audience. Also it turns out many of the questions were penis and homophobic related. His answers rarely did not end with him performing fellacio on another man. He also spent a lot of time making fun of the hearing impaired sign language ladies, by having them sign offensive words to the delight of the crowd. Then the spent a half hour of time descibing his fat body.

It was more of a standup routine riffing off the audience.

The planner of Macworld Paul Kent came up and gave a gushing introduction to Mr Smith which I felt was not warranted for the dribble he ultimately gave the audience. I hope next year Mr. Kent picks a speaker who has enough respect for the audience to take the time to prepare something. Anything would be nice. Learning about his naked parents was not something I give a rats ass about.

*Both Pete and I agreed we would not have sat through the talk if we had to do it over again.

*We did like the iphone. Its a great idea. I carry far too much stuff and its solves a very simple problem. It needs more gigs though.

*Best booth. The Illuminator booth. They gave a contest that bridged the gap of experimental marketing with selling their products and showing how creative they were. They tapped into a very creative crowd and delivered. (well so far-its only the second day) They gave a contest to enhance any of the products apple offered up this year for the other attendees to decide which was the best idea. They then will be fabricating the best 3 items this week. Sadly my Jon Bon Jovi Commerative Cowboyhat/hair earphones are way short in the voting tabs at www.illuminate.mophie.com. (33 votes though)

*Gives me a shot through the heart to think people didnt vote for the idea.

The entry system was seamless plus they aquired email and info on the entries. You designed your enhancements and then drew it up a scratch of your design on the pads they provided. Then you were given a card which you swiped that corisponded with your drawing. You entered in a description and you were in. I know I pulled it up when I got home. (actually at chevys across the street from Moscone on my PDA while I enjoyed a margarita with pete)

*Why I liked this marketing effort? They hit all the touch points-

Well done.