Lots of product launches were made this week from some big trade shows.

The biggest launch you’ve likely heard of by now is that from Macworld with Jobs’ debut of the iPhone. It’s Apple’s concerted entrant into the cell phone market that combines an iPod, phone, and Internet browsing features into a deliciously designed device. See Engadget’s plethora of posts to get all the details. The deal means as much to Cingular as it does Apple.

There was also the launch of iRobot’s Create from CES. Noting that lots of people (especially those crazy guys over at MAKE) have hacked into the robotic vacuum’s little brain to make it do all sorts of crazy things, they made that process that much easier and hope that it’ll take playing with robots to a wider audience.

Moving back east, the North American International Auto Show is in full swing where we heard about the Volt, GM’s plug-in hybrid. It shares more of a muscle look from the other reinventions such as the Dodge Viper, Ford Interceptor, and Chevy Camaro simultaneously unveiled to the masses.

Trade show product or concept launches are still a popularly used approach for pushing products (and their spokespeople) to say hello to the world. Benefits include the assemblage of top industry reporters all in one place and often times national and international slotted coverage. And it’s not just the big guys who can sneak their way in. Often times the quirky stuff has just as much appeal to on-site media as the big stuff that everyone else is covering. The risk is when you’re the guy in the middle with only something quasi-appealing and get buried in the clutter.

As you’re making your ‘07 plans, consider attending top industry shows and aligning the release of information about your company to coincide. At a minimum, it’s a great chance to build relationships with reporters and editors in person so that when you do have news, you have a place to pick up the conversation.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 at 9:16 am and is filed under Media, PR. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.