The Consumer Electronics Association, which produces the Int'l Consumer Electronics Show taking place this week in Las Vegas, yesterday projected the industry will rise by 3.7% in '12 to more than $200B in U.S. shipment revenues, extending an industry rebound to a third straight year. The organization is estimating final '11 figures will show 7.9% growth from '10, more than twice the 3.5% growth predicted at last year's CES. "Our industry remains an economic engine that is growing," said CEA President & CEO Gary Shapiro (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
CONNECTING WITH RETAILERS: DAILY VARIETY's David Cohen noted ESPN's "presence at CES is unusual for a network with no hardware to sell." ESPN VP/Strategic Business Planning & Development Bryan Burns said, "I don't think people associate us with having relationships with retailers, but we do. If we don't do a good job showing the public what we have, the public doesn't buy it. So coming here to CES is not just a way for us to talk to manufacturers but a chance for us to talk to retailers of the biggest order and the smallest order as well." Cohn reported ESPN is "looking for specific gains for its cable channel: securing sponsorships from 3D TV makers, inspiring retailers to do a better job showcasing 3D televisions and content, and prodding consumers to demand ESPN 3D from TV providers." Among pros at CES, there is "no small amount of buzz that 3D sports, especially football, is a killer app for 3D" (VARIETY.com, 1/10).
