• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, June 21, 2011

At least that's what I'm sensing from the crowd's reaction to the opening presenter, M-Via CEO Bill Barhydt. And I'm not sure it's the substance of his presentation, so much as the delivery. He certainly is talking about some powerful content, the way mobile communications are transforming underdeveloped nations and societies. But he's reading it off his tablet, and it's just not compelling. Sorry, but I am a big TED fan and I was looking forward to this session, which is being hosted by Starcom MediaVest Group during the Festival of Media in Cannes. Maybe the next presenter will be better.