The Digital Media Conference West, held at the iconic Kabuki Hotel in San Francisco, brought together industry leaders and innovators for a day of insightful discussions on the evolving landscape of digital media. The conference covered a wide array of topics, including online video, social media, investments, online advertising, mobile entertainment, and the intricate relationship between Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Jay Adelson of Digg and Mike Vorhaus of Magid Advisors
The event featured prominent speakers such as Jay Adelson of Digg and Craig Newmark of Craig’s List, who shared their insights on the future of digital media. The conference kicked off with Bill Trancer of Hitwise and Nick Veronis of Veronis Suhler Stevenson, who discussed the latest trends in internet usage and advertising.
Bill Trancer’s insights, drawn from his book Click: What Millions of People are Doing and Why it Matters, highlighted the competition between Twitter and Facebook, noting that Facebook’s significant traffic share positions it well against Twitter. Meanwhile, Nick Veronis emphasized the shifting landscape of ad spending, with digital advertising allocations reaching $210 billion, while classified spending faced a dramatic decline due to competition from free services like Craig’s List.
Chuck Fishman of Cisco and Craig Newmark of Craig’s List
The atmosphere at the conference was vibrant, akin to a lively café, especially during Jay Adelson’s talk with Mike Vorhaus. Jay shared humorous anecdotes about his return to Digg and the challenges of transporting his daughter’s Gecko, showcasing the personal side of tech entrepreneurship. He also discussed the evolution of Digg, revealing that it could have been named “Dig” if not for Disney’s prior claim to the name.
The agenda was packed with engaging content, yet discussions frequently circled back to the influence of Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. During lunch, Craig Newmark, who humorously referred to himself as the “Customer and Service Rep,” expressed his concerns about information sharing in the digital age. He encouraged attendees to reach out to him directly, providing his Twitter and email for further engagement.
Throughout the conference, the hashtag #DMCW was prominently displayed, allowing both attendees and those following online to share insights and updates in real-time. The live stream kept the conversation dynamic, with participants tweeting about their experiences, promoting their speaking engagements, and sharing valuable resources like the Pew Study on Twitter Users.
In conclusion, the Digital Media Conference West was a remarkable gathering of minds, fostering discussions that will undoubtedly shape the future of digital media. For more insights and updates, check out the conference’s Twitter feed at [#DMCW](https://web.archive.org/web/20100111034855