Thoughts and feedback on Global Messaging and MEM 2007
by Helen Keegan
I’ve had a pretty busy few weeks followed by a nasty lurgy so there’s been a bit of radio silence post Monte Carlo. I’ve now had chance to collect a few thoughts on the whole experience and I’ve asked a few colleagues the same.
My own thoughts were that the conference quality was not up to scratch. The opening session on the first day did not wow me in the least. The atmosphere was staid, the content was a bit same old same old and the speakers were very limited by corporate handcuffs as to what they could or couldn’t discuss. And this was a shame. However, there were lots of very interesting people in attendance and I hope you’ve had a chance to listen to the podcasts of some of my fellow UK mobilists, Deborah from Muze, Mike from 160 Characters, John from Vodafone and Gerry from Tanla Mobile. And having the right people there is at least as important as the content. But at Monte Carlo prices, the substance of the conference should have been better. As could the logistics…
Andrew Darling, of WestPier Media, on being asked what he thought of the event, comments
“I thought Peter Bazelgette summed it up when he said ‘Mobile is falling way behind as an entertainment distribution platform, compared to broadband.’ This he said in his key note and you could read the frustration he felt between these lines.
And when you put this in the context of the show, you have to agree. The only interesting things I saw/heard about were based around messaging applications involving advertising (Colibria).
The fact that there were no brands or major media companies exhibiting at the event shows you something. Ok, so it’s a show for mobile service providers to demonstrate their wares and attract the interest of brands, but the floor was only full of mobile people, not media (even if this is what mobile companies would prefer to be called!!). And the media companies taking part in the conference - Bebo, Sony Pictures, Endemol, MTV and EMI - probably took off after they had spoken (to huge, empty-ish auditoriums).
There was absolutely no focal point for networking, apart from the Gala Dinner, at the event. No lunch provided and only a crummy, overpriced bar where stale sandwiches cost an arm and a jambe. I’m not even going to mention the price/hassle in getting to Monte Carlo.
The party scene was pretty non-existent too. Monte Carlo, despite its supposed glamour, is one of the most soulless places I’ve been to. Ok, so a lot of rich, glamorous people reside there for two months a year or whatever the minimum requirement for tax free status is. But rich people have catered parties in their mansions and don’t go out much so the atmosphere is pretty dire, even in the Le Casino.
So what’s the attraction in going next year? I can’t see one personally.”
So what was your take on the conference and exhibition?
