Nat. Assn. of Television Program Executives Conference
Feb 01 1999
The Theater: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans
The Pitch: The first time a mainstream TV conference has featured an "Internet Day."
On the Floor: The cutthroat competition among TV networks has now spilled into their Web properties. While NATPE has traditionally been the place to find something to fill the slot between Judge Judy and Wheel of Fortune, this year's conventioneers were meditating on TV-Web convergence.
One panel became a promotional bonanza for representatives of NBC and ABC . All agreed that on-air promotion is the way to bring mass eyeballs to the Web: CNET 's Halsey Minor displayed a chart showing a 219 percent increase in unique visitors to Snap since NBC began on-air promos last fall.
Immediately after the panel, Patricia Vance of the ABC Internet Group sniped, "Of course you can show growth, if you start from a small property like Snap."
The Verdict: Pamela Lee and Jerry Springer still rule this show.
ON THE HORIZON
IT for Wall Street '99
Feb. 23 to 25, New York
www.itforwallstreet.com
Geek meets Wall Street's Gordon Gekko, with keynoters from the NYSE to Nortel.
Consumer Online Forum
March 1 to 3, New York
www.jup.com/events/forums/cof/
Can Jerry Yang and Barry Diller get down and boogie? Find out here.
Computer Telephony Expo
March 2 to 4, Los Angeles
www.ctexpo.com/ctexpo_99/ctexpo_99.html
Call-center mania puts L.A. on hold.