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Keep up to date with Digiday’s annual coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. More from the series →
Another CES is in the books — and as the organizers would say, it was the biggest one yet. Some companies and executives had a splendid week in Las Vegas, while others could have fared better. Here’s who won and lost at CES 2018.
The real CES impresarios:
MediaLink, as usual.
Thirstiest company:
Google. It was everywhere.
Best rumor:
Turner originally booked the Aria hotel’s wedding chapel — where it hosted meetings and presentations this week — because CES was supposed to be the official coming-out party for a merged AT&T and Time Warner.
Best photo:
You know you’re at #CES2018 when pic.twitter.com/paMZAmjqpb
— Ben Winkler (@bwinkl3r) January 9, 2018
Tastiest snack:
Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup at Turner’s wedding chapel. Sometimes, it’s the simple things.
Most interesting activation:
Gannett/USA Today hosted advertising clients at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where they also filmed some content in virtual reality. It was raining, and people still went.
Ad position: web_incontent_pos1
Biggest blunder:
The lights going out at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Worst real-time marketing:
#CESblackout pic.twitter.com/JsR9VEun63
— Oreo Cookie (@Oreo) January 10, 2018
Best place to escape the smoke and madness:
Any suites inside the Vdara hotel.
Best party:
Spotify went full Vegas at Hakkasan.
Coolest performer:
Three-way tie between John Legend at Google’s party, Run the Jewels at Fusion Media Group’s party and Lauryn Hill at Pandora’s party.
Ad position: web_incontent_pos2
Best sign of the times:
Turning in any direction and seeing a massive billboard with the words “Hey Google.”
Grossest example of why our industry is the worst:
The secret, invite-only mansion party referred to by one media executive as the “hookers and blow” party.
Most notably absent company:
Snapchat
Best quote:
“CES is good for business but bad for your soul.”
Worst panel:
The Federal Communications Commissions panel previewing 2018 with two commissioners, including chairman Ajit Pai, who was not in attendance.
Dumbest technology:
A robot that cuddles with you.
Worst organizer:
Every hotel that was woefully unprepared for just a sprinkle of rain.
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Ad position: web_bfu