Earlier this year NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith announced he would be stepping down at the end of 2021. TVBEurope caught up with Smith to reflect on his time at the organisation, and what the future holds
By TVBEurope Staff
Published: October 14, 2021 Updated: October 18, 2021
Earlier this year NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith announced he would be stepping down at the end of 2021. TVBEurope caught up with Smith to reflect on his time at the organisation, and what the future holds
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
Why is now is the right time to step down from your role at NAB? There are things that I have put on the back burner during my time in public office and at NAB that I want to prioritise. I have a large food processing business in Oregon that I would like to focus on. I would like to devote more time to my church. Most importantly, I have grandchildren who I look forward to doting on.
We are fortunate to have assembled a talented team at NAB. I am stepping down from my role confident that NAB and the broadcast industry are in good hands with Curtis LeGeyt at the helm with the support of a capable staff.
How has the show changed during your time as CEO? We have put an emphasis on delivering value to the NAB Show community year-round, both in-person and online.
Several years ago, we acquired the convention now known as NAB Show New York, which showcases a full range of next-generation technology for media and entertainment professionals in a more intimate setting. We made this acquisition with the goal of establishing and growing an NAB event for the East Coast content community, and we have been quite happy with the results.
In addition, even before the pandemic, we knew that business - including for events - was moving towards a hybrid in-person and digital model. That certainly has accelerated recently. We placed a major focus on building out our digital offerings to complement NAB Show, as well as connect and engage the NAB Show community throughout the year.
What achievement are you most proud of? When I first joined NAB, I was alarmed to find significant disunity within the industry. We were out of sync with our priorities and messaging. Policymakers are not inclined to help an industry that is bogged down by internal squabbles.
I made it a priority to create a united front that speaks constructively in one voice. I am proud that broadcasters have bought into that message, from the grassroots level all the way up to our board of directors. Our victories over the past decade are a testament to the influence of broadcasters when we work together.
What piece of advice would you give to your successor? From his decade of work spearheading NAB's Capitol Hill advocacy, Curtis [LeGeyt] knows this first-hand but it is important for the entire broadcasting industry to hear: Do not take for granted that those in federal power fully understand the incredible role local television and radio play in their communities.
Public service is ingrained in the DNA of broadcasters. Delivering lifeline news and information, connecting communities, covering breaking events, being on-air when disaster strikes; these are all hallmarks of what it means to be a broadcaster.
Yet, sometimes our elected officials get distracted by the latest gadget or online trend. They can forget that broadcast radio and television are go-to sources for local news for their constituents, important employers in their districts and supporters of charitable causes that help people in need. Whenever broadcasters meet with their representatives, make sure they understand the enduring value of local broadcasting.
What new technology has particularly stood out to you as a game changer for the media industry? Broadcast television is transitioning to a new transmission standard - Next Gen TV - which will be a game-changer for our industry going forward. It allows us to deliver pristine picture quality, immersive sound, interactive features, datacasting, mobile programming and innovative emergency alerting.
The roll-out of Next Gen TV is happening in markets across the country and the next few years will be an exciting time for broadcasting with the new tools the standard will unleash.
Where do you see the industry going next? I believe the future for consumers is a combination of broadcasting and broadband. People are cutting the cord and supplementing over-the-air television with digital services. Next Gen TV also utilises broadband to deliver many of its features and that relationship is critical to the standard's success.
Additionally, the pandemic has accelerated the move towards a hybrid business model of in-person and remote work. This industry adapted with home studios and offices, socially distant reporting from the field, remote operations and innovative ways of storytelling.
What has made you passionate about working in the media tech industry? When I left the Senate, joining NAB was enticing because the calling card of a broadcaster is public service. I knew I wanted to continue giving back to my community. Broadcasting is part of the lifeblood of American democracy and giving the lion's roar for the industry on Capitol Hill has allowed me to continue serving our nation.
As a senator, I would receive the most messages from my constituents when there was an issue affecting their television or radio. People are passionate about their local broadcast stations and the connection they provide to their communities. It has been an honour to represent the broadcast industry and ensure broadcasters everywhere are able to serve their audiences.
How difficult was it to take the decision to cancel this year's show? It was an incredibly difficult decision to cancel this year's Show. We were looking forward to hosting a world-class event that broug
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
30/04/2024
By Adam Piron
In anticipation of this edition of the Indigenous Program's Native Lab, it actually dawned on me that this will be our lab's tenth year i...
30/04/2024
Launch of SBS South Asian channel and SBS Spice, a new English language offering...
30/04/2024
LOS ANGELES (April 30, 2024) Light Iron, the post-production creative-services division of Panavision, is excited to announce that lodie Ichter has joined th...
30/04/2024
Now streaming on Netflix, Good Grief marks the feature-film directorial debut of Daniel Levy, well known as the co-creator and costar of the series Schitt's...
30/04/2024
The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy's sweeping portrait of a wealthy British family in 1880s London, is getting its third TV adaptation in less than 60 years....
30/04/2024
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
30/04/2024
CAMPBELL, Calif. Streaming media company Plex and T-Mobile will work together to expand T-Mobile's connected TV (CTV) inventory and advance the connection b...
30/04/2024
SAN JOSE, Calif. & BELLEVUE, Wash. Roku, Inc. has announced an expanded measurement partnership with iSpot.tv, the cross-platform TV measurement company....
30/04/2024
NEW YORK As Paramount Global wrestled with management turmoil and ongoing negotiations for a proposed merger with Skydance, the company managed to report improv...
30/04/2024
Cobalt Digital Receives Trifecta of Awards at NAB 2024
Company adds two 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year awards and one Best of Show from TV Tech to long list...
30/04/2024
arkona technologies GmbH, provider of IP core infrastructure solutions for top-tier broadcast productions, has announced that its BLADE//runner IP Audio Engine ...
30/04/2024
OpenDrives, Inc., the global provider of software-defined media workflow solutions and data management capabilities, announced today that it has joined the glob...
30/04/2024
The first norm conform sustainability service dedicated to the needs of the events industry
Easy-to-use, intuitive platform for venues, event organisers and su...
30/04/2024
Dejero GateWay enables Stream7 to create independent internet connectivity at any venue or location, including UK teaching hospital for live streaming of surgic...
30/04/2024
Excitement is building as farmerswife, a leading software provider for resource scheduling, project management, and team collaboration in the media industry, ha...
30/04/2024
XL8, a leading deep-tech startup specializing in AI-powered machine translation technology, proudly announces the successful completion of a System and Organiza...
30/04/2024
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, has announced that it will exhibit at CABSAT, which takes place this year from 21-23 May 2024 at the...
30/04/2024
MRMC Debuts Cinebot Max Camera Robot at NAB 2024
Brie Clayton April 30, 2024
0 Comments
Expands its range of live-action, motion-control camera robots...
30/04/2024
Next Jazz Legacy Announces 2024 Cohort of Women and Nonbinary Awardees The program was created by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender J...
30/04/2024
European telecom satellite company SES announced today that it is acquiring rival Intelsat for $3.1 billion. The deal, unanimously approved by both companies...
30/04/2024
Bob Bakish, chief executive of Paramount stepped down on Monday, effective immediately. Bakish, who was a staunch ally of Shari Redstone, controlling shareholde...
30/04/2024
Hotspring said the breakthrough had been achieved through the acceleration of machine learning technology
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 30, 2024
Ho...
30/04/2024
Speaking about the deal, Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, said: it will bring value-added, efficient, and reliable offerings for both companies media customers
By Je...
30/04/2024
Paramount said the Office of the CEO is working with its board to develop a comp...
30/04/2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky. In another sign that broadcasters are finally using NextGen TV broadcasts to offer viewers new features instead of simply simulcasting existing ...
30/04/2024
OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame will induct Blaise Labbe, a group news director for Sinclair Broadcast Group, May 2 at the 54th Anniversary I...
30/04/2024
ATLANTA and ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Cox Media Group and Dish have ended a dispute over retransmission fees that lasted nearly a year and a half with a new multi-year ...
30/04/2024
Video transport solution provider LTN has announced that it is working with TelevisaUnivision to help the Spanish-language media giant migrate to IP-based video...
30/04/2024
ALAMEDA, Calif. Clear-Com has released details about how it played a pivotal role in the seamless coverage of the recent solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 by NBC K...
30/04/2024
CINCINNATI The E.W. Scripps Company is adding Seth Walters to its sales leadership team as head of CTV sales, effective April 29....
30/04/2024
The force was strong at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday night, April 27, 2024, as the night netted the ballpark's first official sellout crowd of...
30/04/2024
Revry, a network celebrating queer culture. said its second annual NewFront presentation will be a cabaret-type spectacle showcasing the spirit of the LGBTQ+ co...
30/04/2024
Family Entertainment Television (FETV) said that the Western series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp will be joining the network's afternoon lineup startin...
30/04/2024
Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount Global, will depart the company as Paramount explores a merger, according to numerous published reports. The reports ...
30/04/2024
6 minute read
Share
alt=Alternative descriptive text class=lazyload main main-lazyloaded responsive-image data-v-1a5ebb10>
Telenor showed good momentum...
30/04/2024
SES Acquiring Intelsat to Create New Satellite Giant; Will Offer Improved Reach ...
30/04/2024
Wuppertal April 30, 2024
WDR Filmhaus to Implement Riedel Infrastructure Award-Winning MediorNet HorizoN Hybrid Processing Platform Serves as Bridge to IP
Ri...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Tilda Swinton Joins Colin Farrell in Edward Bergers The Ballad...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Netflix Reveals First Look Images and Teaser from Senna, Inspi...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Top 10 Week of Apr. 22: Baby Reindeer' and Rebel Moon - ...
30/04/2024
Dr. Nicola Hodson, Chief Executive, IBM UK & Ireland introduces the UK findings of an IBM study on female leadership in the age of AI
Advances in Artificial In...
30/04/2024
Channel Expansion, and New Codecs, Compression and Transport Technology Among Latest Updates...
30/04/2024
Accel-KKR Credit Partners today announced that it has provided debt financing to support Dalet in its next chapter of innovation and growth. Accel-KKR Credit Pa...
30/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 29 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
30/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle witnesses an explosive fight between Sthoko and B...
30/04/2024
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of David Murphy as its new Economics & Public Affairs Correspondent. David is currently RT 's Political Cove...
30/04/2024
Concerts in Limerick, Dublin, Carlow and Cork, including Marty in the Evening, Morricone and May the Fourth Be With You, celebrating the remarkable decade of th...
Earlier this year NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith announced he would be stepping down at the end of 2021. TVBEurope caught up with Smith to reflect on his time at the organisation, and what the future holds
