CES Tech Talk

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.