• Adrants, Monday, March 14, 2011 9:46 AM

Brands had the biggest presence ever at the five-day conference in Austin, Texas. The event traditionally has been about the technology-obsessed, gifted, or enlightened, but now is now all about brands and their opportunities to get in front of consumers. Writes correspondent Steve Hall, "The conference is no longer a conclave for widget heads. Oh, they're all still here ... and grumbling about the 'invasion' of 'marketing people' but they, perhaps for good, have been silenced by the deafening size and scope of an increasing number of brands who have decided to stake a claim here in Austin. From Sony to Samsung, to Chevrolet, to Pepsi and many, many more, the ACC and surrounding areas have been plastered with some of the most elaborate brand statements we've ever seen."

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