I know, I know, sounds funny right. The Adult Entertainment Expo is better than the Consumer Electronics Show because even though the industry is catered to men, women (sort of) run the show and actually acknowledge one another, while at the same time giving attention to their main audience, men (that’s an assumption).
Phil McKinney (HP’s CTO) said it better than anyone else on Friday morning when he said that women have a lot of buying power. From his experience in Best Buy, when a married couple goes to buy an item, for example a TV, the woman usually has the last word, and ultimately affects what is bought. Men think – the TV is great, its 100 inches wide, and if a woman doesn’t think it’ll match the furniture then it’s a no go (I paraphrased the anecdote he used). If this is the case then why aren’t more companies investing or trying to gain more of that buying power. I saw some companies stepping up their ‘aesthetic appeal’ but some have it all wrong. Pink and tacky does not mean women want it.
Many items for ‘women’ were targeting preteens or the Paris Hiltonites, as Mike calls them. WTF? Who said that’s what we (yes, I am now representing the majority of women) want? We don’t want glitter and gems and little purses with sequins that are pink. We don’t. Stop it. Stop it right now. Many of us are concerned with compartments, organization, weight, comfort, etc. (this is specially pertaining to laptop bags, digital frames, and cell phone/digital camera cases).
If women are so important, than why are we still acting like its only a man’s world. Yes – there are not as many women as men in technology but honestly, ‘anything you can do, I can do better, I can do anything, better than you (yup – Annie Get Your Gun – you guessed correctly). I went with Mike to all but one of his meetings, our meetings. On numerous occasions, my badge was looked at, my shoes all the way up to the last bit of hair on my head, but I wasn’t given a handshake, or a business card. I was often ignored, as if I didn’t exist. Mike even noticed the way some of the CES exhibitors treated me. I don’t deal too well w/ bs, and that sort of treatment so quite often I just walked away from the meetings and did my own thing. It didn’t matter that I was standing right beside the presenter, looking straight into his eyes, he only spoke to Mike.
We discussed this nonsense over lunch and cultural differences came up, but that wasn’t the case. A female also did the same thing. On top of not dealing too well w/ bs, I also have trouble biting my tongue. If you bite your tongue, you get blood in your mouth. I told one of the PR folks for one company that they should tell his client that women do exist and actually hold a lot of weight in the world. He saw me walk away from the ‘presentation’ and my response was ‘If he has no interest in me, or my opinion, than I have no interest in his product or his company’ – it’s as simple as that.
We are living in a world where we are sooooo different, soooo different that it almost makes us the same. We can’t continue trying to place each other in boxes, in categories because in the end it’s not benefiting anyone. Treating one group as if they’re better than another is extremely disrespectful. I got pissed a couple of times, and just wanted to leave. (yes Mike, that probably explains why I was bitchy at times). One of the worst feelings in the world is to be ignored, especially when you think you’re helping the companies you’re meeting with. I enjoy learning about products, giving them free kudos on the site but F that if this is how they show their appreciation.
I was going to list the companies that were still acting as if it was still the 50’s but I decided not to. There’s no point in that. Point is this: at the Adult Entertainment Expo I was quickly approached and my presence was acknowledged. Why you may ask? Because they, as messed up as I think the whole industry is, actually know that their client base is made up of more than just men, it also has women and they treated us equally.
Overall, my first CES experience was cool. I met great people, learned a lot about companies but in the future I hope all companies get the memo that women rock, that we’re here, and that we’re here to stay (we have tons of buying power-many of us live to shop!! Duh!!). If only all companies were like Microsoft, HP or Edelmen – the reason I mention these 3 companies is because they were included in some of the discussions regarding this topic. Needless to say, they were as stunned as I was and they were on the top of my “Awesome” list. Great job!! Now to the rest of them, show us some respect mofos.
Comments:
Chris on Sun, Jan 11th, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Treat the ladies right!
Michael on Mon, Jan 12th, 2009 at 01:14 AM
Yeah I was a bit uncomfy in some situations, but I was unsure what to do. I kind of wanted to say something during the Toshiba meeting.
She didn’t want to name companies but they need to be named IMO even if it ruins any relationship we have with them. The NVIDIA one wasn’t as bad as it was just one of their people, but it seemed to be everyone at Toshiba.
Radiris on Mon, Jan 12th, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Thats not true Mike. I didn’t want to name companies because I didn’t think it was professional. I spoke to their PR person, which was the opposite - he was really responsive and actually showed me the products while the others ignored me. Toshiba has a great asset and thats Jane Poon, the projector lady. She was great at Pepcom, and also remembered me at their exhibit. She’s awesome.
Michael on Mon, Jan 12th, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Jane Poon does rock!
Chris on Mon, Jan 12th, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Women do get little respect in the industry, but mainly because geeks don’t know how to talk to an attractive women and get flustered.
Naima on Mon, Jan 12th, 2009 at 11:09 PM
As a women who has been in the industry for nearly 25 years I agree with you, men do tend to ignore us sometimes.
However letting your anger show and walking away is in my opinion unprofessional and a sign of weakness. You sound like an educated young women and yes biting your tongue isn’t always an option, but when it isn’t an option open your mouth and speak up. Bring your self into the conversation so that you aren’t ignored.
First impressions last a life time, and if you are angry people can sense that and will remember you more for that then for anything else.
Radiris on Tue, Jan 13th, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Yes - I agree with you Naima, looking back I definitely could’ve reacted differently and probably more professional, but at the moment, i was more in shock than anything else. I know there’s still a lot that I need to learn about the industry, this was just one of those ‘smack in the face’ moments that I had to write about. My next blog, concerning the presence of women in technology shall have more of a super hero feel to it. I’ll try to represent for all women by being more assertive and speaking up 
Shawn on Wed, Jan 14th, 2009 at 04:06 PM
There is a lack of respect for women in every industry, however if you let the frustration show it tends to look badly on you.
Sorry that you had to go through that.
Dogerfan93 on Thu, Jan 15th, 2009 at 03:40 PM
I am not buying a toshiba or nvidia product again
Radiris on Fri, Jan 16th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
you are so dramatic dogerfan
camcorder on Fri, Jan 23rd, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Wow this is really nice information on AEE and CES. Really nice information and i agree that all products like digital cameras, laptops, cell phones are selling through women. Although whole world are known for men. Really this take more thinking for us. Thanks for sharing very nice information.
Mary Branscombe on Mon, Jan 26th, 2009 at 04:24 AM
I certainly remember a couple of people reacting in surprise very early in my tech journalism career (I’ve been doing this 18 years now) but I very rarely come across assumptions that I’m not technical any more. It helps that people know my work, and that most joint meetings are arranged in my name, but while the product marketing is aimed at the male consumer the press relations in UK and US equally tend to be gender blind in my experience (this isn’t always the same for Asian companies).
If you don’t mind me speculating, perhaps for the meetings that were set up under Mike’s name the presenters didn’t know who you were or what your role was? I’m often in meetings where neither the company spokesperson nor I include the PR representatives in the conversation once we’re talking product, not because we’re ignoring them but because they’re present as facilitators rather than participants. I’d suggest making it very clear that you’re on the editorial side by producing business cards and introducing yourself straight away, mentioning what you’re hoping to get out of the meeting or what story you feel it will be relevant to. If you don’t get eye contact or conversation after that, turn to the PR person and ask them if they can perhaps find the right person for you to talk to. Make sure everyone knows that you expect to be included in the briefing and why, and you may get much more profitable meetings.
Visitor on Thu, Feb 26th, 2009 at 02:04 PM
I am not buying a toshiba or nvidia product again
cfd on Fri, May 01st, 2009 at 06:14 AM
You got a really useful blog I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbee and your success is very much an inspiration for me. The first page doesn’t need to be just a dream anymore.Very interesting comments. I had some experiences getting some frecuencies fro china i guess but i never keep up with my search. Good suggestions though!
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