Attending the D: Dive Into Media Conference
I just got back from California where I attended the D: Dive Into Media conference, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. You may remember me blogging about Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, which was launched in 2003 by creators and executive producers Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. In those innovative digital symposiums, the most influential figures in media and technology are brought together to share their ideas. D: Dive Into Media is the latest brand extension of D: All Things Digital. Where the latter explores the bigger picture and studies the effect that the digital revolution has had on every facet of our lives, D: Dive Into Media focused on the evolutionary changes that are occurring in media and what those changes mean for the industry’s future. My COO, Lisa Gersh, and I were asked to speak at the event, which is always a fun experience for me. D’s signature style is unrehearsed and unscripted, so the interviews are very interesting and unexpected. I always enjoy hearing what other C-level media executives have to say about technology.
1 Before leaving for the D: Dive Into Media conference, I contributed to a rather shocking expose of what goes on at AllThingsD, put together by Funny or Die.
2 In this spoof, I talked about the wild after hour parties and what goes on in the hot tub.
3 My silly scripted lines were printed on cue cards.
4 I explained that I couldn't really say what went on at the conferences, because it was just too shocking!
5 I did say, however, that the Martha Stewart cocktail app got quite a workout! Take a look at the video here: http://allthingsd.com/20120130/funny-or-die-exposes-ds-seedy-underbelly-video/?mod=googlenews
6 The stage for D: Dive Into Media in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
7 The audience seating in the ballroom
8 Peter Kafka, Senior Editor for AllThingsD.com, was the host of D: Dive into Media.
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10 Peter Kafka interviewing Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu, who talked about Hulu, media, and television in general.
11 Kara Swisher interviewing Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel Media Holdings
12 Under his guidance, the nation’s largest radio broadcaster is implementing an aggressive digital music strategy in the hopes of stealing the online radio spotlight from Pandora.
13 Mr. Pittman explained how his company plans to stay relevant. Chief among the strategies are partnerships with Facebook and other companies.
14 Peter Kafka with Kevin Tanchaoren, who directed the 'Fame' update for MGM studios and will be doing the 'Mortal Kombat' film later this year
15 Philippe Dauman, CEO of Viacom, said the company he oversees is not a cable network. Instead, it's a media network with an agnostic view about where its content is distributed.
16 Peter Kafka with Kassem Gharaibeh, one of the Dive Into Media Conference's 'New Faces.'
17 He is a comedian who goes by KassemG and has become one of YouTube's biggest stars, with a couple million subscribers and more than 250 million views. www.youtube.com/KassemG
18 He co-founded Maker Studios, the Web video start-up that develops up and coming 'internet talent' much like the old Hollywood studio system.
19 Sitting in the conference alongside Lisa Gersh - our President and COO
20 We were joined by Jeanne Meyer - SVP Corporate Communications, Missy Foristall, SVP Digital Programming and Strategy, and Gael Towey - Chief Creative and Editorial Director.
21 Walt Mossberg and Peter Kafka spoke to the multi-talented Neil Young, who said that 'We live in the digital age and, unfortunately, it’s degrading our music, not improving it.' He is working hard to improve music's sound quality.
22 In the green room of D: Dive into Media conference - Here I am with Dawn Griffiths, who was the on-site makeup artist who de-shined everyone who took the stage.
23 When it was time for Lisa Gersh and me to take the stage, we were interviewed by Walt Mossberg, AllThingsD co-founder and Wall Street Journal Technology columnist.
24 I spoke about how our company is transitioning to a digital media company just as fast as we can and how we are relentless in serving our customers where they need us, where they want us.
25 I explained how we were uniquely positioned to make a significant amount of the thousands of hours of our how-to video available to consumers in a way that would enhance and inspire their lives.
26 Lisa Gersh added that the company is trying to find new ways to make its monthly food magazine more relevant.
27 Everyday Food has a daily email newsletter that will be upgraded with video so subscribers can see someone making the recipe.
28 Lisa also talked about how coming to work at MSLO made her the coolest Mom ever in the eyes of her 4 daughters, who range from age 15 to early 20's.
29 Lisa also said that her daughters were reflective of how a span of generations continue to love Martha and its range of magazine titles and online content.
30 Lisa Gersh and I with Walt Mossberg
31 Kara Swisher speaking with David Remnick, Editor for the New Yorker, who said that he loves his iPad but that print is not yet dead
32 David Remnick said that reading on a three-inch screen isn't his favorite way to enjoy a magazine, but notes some people are reading Dickens that way on the subway. They are not just always playing Angry Birds.
33 Katie Boehret, in gray, is a journalist at The Wall Street Journal and works with technology columnist Walter Mossberg.
34 I sat next to Khush founders, Prerna Gupta and Parag Chordia, who are app makers with Songify Live, which uses Auto-tune to turn speech into song.
35 It was very pleasant eating lunch in the Monarch Bay Courtyard.
36 Peter Kafka with the outgoing Warner Music Group chairman, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., who talked about the fate of EMI, the value of services like Spotify, and what he would change about the recording industry's deal with Apple.
You can watch a video of Lisa and me speaking here:
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Loved the video... very cute and keeps it hip. Heard I missed you locally at the Home depot. You met my colleagues wife, mother-in-law and daughter... you were so kind and quite a highlight. I was jealous to say the least.
Posted by: Kristin Rhodes | February 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 am
Amazingly, you returned in good health and ready for another busy time. If you ever get tired from this busy schedule, one can never see it on you as you always look rested and beautiful, giving wonderful presentations. Neil Young seems to agree with me that vinyl is great and I love my collection of old LPS but learning technology from you. I am shocked at just how much you accomplish.
Posted by: ann | February 2nd, 2012 at 3:12 am
Media conference?
Can I take part? It's always so interesting to discuss problems with other people. I enjoy it.
Posted by: audio editor | February 2nd, 2012 at 4:22 am
While I enjoy my ipad2, I agree with David Remnick, editer of the New Yorker, I still like my magazines, books and newspapers the old fashioned way! Something about turning pages....
Posted by: Cindy F | February 2nd, 2012 at 9:28 am
Hi Martha, This was a very fascinating blog post! I saw the video and was amazed at all the things you know about early computers and what you might do to have your fantastic Martha TV Show on videos and maybe on your website! Loved all of your great photos! How fun to see you in your beautiful, clean office in the first 5 photos-so cute! Photos #19,&20 with you and your delightful crew were so cute-looked like you were tweeting in #20 and you looked great in #22! Photos #23 to 30 on stage with Lisa were terrific! It must have been warm there in LA to eat lunch outside! Thanks fo sharing this latest trip! Hope you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag where Dr. Pia has our photo of my sweet, little Dudley Do Right on her blog posting today! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 2nd, 2012 at 10:41 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 2nd, 2012 at 11:35 am
Hi Martha,
Time really flies – it seems like you were just at the Wall Street D conference but that was in 2010. I remember following it on Twitter. I thought it occurred last year which proves last year was a blur for me. Anyway, I watched both of these videos online and put links on Twitter and I also watched another video where you talked about your 2 Blackberry phones and your iPad. Maybe some changes will be made after the powers that be see that particular video. If I had an iPad, I wouldn’t want to wait forever either for a movie to download! I like that you go to these kinds of conferences and keep up on all things digital. Good for your company and good for us! Trish
~
P. S. I am sure you often wonder what happened to those who used to comment regularly on your blog. Cindy Bricker (=^..^=) for one sends her best to you and Laura – she was wondering if you remember her and Edgar so I said I would mention her. I know she misses this blog and hopefully one day will be back in full force. And then there is Gloria who popped in one day after an absence and then out again. I hope she is okay.
Posted by: Trish | February 2nd, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Martha: Please don't leave TV. I've watched you since you were on for a half hour on the weekends. I have learned so much from you and the people you have had on your shows. I refernece you all the time. I can't imagine not watching you every morning while I'm on the treadmill. Sandy
Posted by: sandy Kurr | February 2nd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Unscripted is the best! I'm sure you handled yourself with eloquence and humor.
Posted by: Nantucketdaffodil | February 2nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I have to say that the iPad app was fantastic as it gave us Europeans access quickly to Living. I never forget opening the Boundless Beauty first time and you were there first and it is still super quality app. It is true that the world is changing and even if we still love books etc. for information for home care, I have to say technology is right there now and because of the speed it helps trying new things so much easier and faster. Life is about balance and same goes for old skool and new skool it is good to use both. I am a huge fan of yours and being right at there in technology has just made me a bigger fan. Thank you for everything. My only problem is that we can't buy many of your products here but just as well for the bank balance
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Posted by: Titta | February 3rd, 2012 at 1:46 pm
You should post more of these kinds of interviews..so great!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | February 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 pm
I like
Posted by: Kruthip | February 9th, 2012 at 2:22 am