DETROIT – The Mobile Technology Association of Michigan is once again proud to be a partner for the annual DASH Conference. This event, produced by long-time MTAM member, jacAPPS, has become a highly anticipated showcase of the role mobile technologies are playing in the broadcast and automotive industries. In the article below, Paul Jacobs, President of jacAPPS, describes what you can expect to see happening at this year’s event – one we’re sure you won’t want to miss!
If you’re in Michigan, the big story is about the “connected car” and its confluence with mobile. For the 3rd consecutive year, the DASH Conference will take place at the Westin Hotel, embedded in the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on November 4 – 5.
MTAM members & followers will receive a $100 discount on the registration fee. To receive this discount, register at the following link – your discount will automatically be implemented. https://radioink.wufoo.com/forms/2015-dash-100-discount/.
DASH is a mash-up of the automotive, technology, and media/entertainment industry – sectors that have had a great deal in common since America started producing cars with radios built in the dashboard. The two-day conference features presentations from the auto companies, local car dealers and dealer groups, Pandora, advertising agencies, broadcasters, and other industry leaders.
DASH is a tremendous showcase for Michigan professionals, as well as the City of Detroit. We regularly feature local media personalities and leaders from the area, and we believe that this Detroit area is the only place where the conference should be held.
The DASH agenda is rich with content – featuring some of the top names in media and automotive. This year’s event will feature Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeart Media – radio’s biggest company – as our keynote. His company is also the creator of the iHeart Radio app – one of the media industry’s biggest success stories with presence in most vehicles rolling off the assembly lines.
Then of course, there’s the car. A dynamic panel on ‘The Future of the Connected Car‘ will feature a discussion with leaders from Toyota, Visteon, Cisco, and other major players in the space. DASH will also feature a presentation on the impact of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on drivers and broadcasters. These sessions should be of particular interest for MTAM members who are working to provide technology and content in automobiles.
Panasonic’s Aupeo! is all about creating and aggregating content for the car, and Panasonic’s Director of Connected Service, David Taylor, will be on center stage at DASH talking about his company’s partnership with the auto companies, and how it is leading to the creation of new products and revenue.
One of the debates surrounding ‘connected car’ technology is whether or not consumers desire these features, much less use them. A recent J.D. Power study explored this issue, and at DASH, they’ll present their research. J.D. Power’s VP/Global Automotive, Dave Sargent, has the charts, tables, and perspective that shows the consumer side of the ‘connected car’ equation. This session promises to be both insightful and controversial.
Pandora is also a big story – in both the media and automotive spheres. At DASH, Geoff Snyder, Pandora’s VP/Automotive Business Development, will be joined by two auto execs to discuss what it takes to get brands and content into the ‘center stack’ and how to train consumers on how to use the new technology.
And to show off some of the region’s most amazing talent, a session called ‘Radio’s Play-by-Play Icons‘ features the Red Wings’ Ken Kal, the Pistons’ Mark Champion, the Lions’ Dan Miller, and Michigan’s Jim Brandstatter. They’ll be on stage talking about the value of radio in the car from their unique perspective of painting pictures with words and bringing sports events to life.
On-demand and in-dash go together. DASH will feature the world-famous comedian, TV actor and podcaster – Adam Carolla – in a keynote interview. Adam will talk about how he creates content on the PodcastOne platform, in a session that includes the visionary PodcastOne CEO Norm Pattiz. DASH will also feature a session dedicated to America’s leading podcasting companies – Midroll Media, Audible.com, and WNYC Radio, New York City’s public radio station.
No conference is complete without some attention to Millennials, and this year, DASH is no exception. Edison Research is one of the world’s smartest analyst firms when it comes to media trends; and they’ll be on hand with new data about Generation Y and their relationship with cars, mobility and transportation.
And of course, there’s the networking. Our own exit surveys tell us that one of the most important DASH values is our roundtable format that provides attendees with the opportunity to meet and hang out with professionals from media, mobile, and automotive companies.
In summary, DASH is about a celebration of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and the great things that are happening in both the media and automotive communities. The conference kicks off at 1pm on November 4th and runs through end of day on November 5th. It takes place at the Westin Hotel at Metro Airport. A complimentary cocktail party at the conclusion of the conference on November 4th, and a complimentary lunch on November 5th is included in the registration fee. More information, a registration form, and the entire agenda can be found at DASHConference.com.
