● The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream
By Gary Shapiro
Interview with author via CNBC
The president of the Consumer Electronics Association, and author of the new book “The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream,” believes that America’s love for these products will help bolster the economy. “The U.S.,” he says, “is in trouble and innovation is the best path towards letting our kids have a better future.” The question is now whether there is enough innovation to jump-start things for 2011, especially after consumer confidence unexpectedly dipped in December. The Conference Board last Tuesday released a private report that said its index of consumer attitudes slipped in December. Shapiro says we will see improvement in 2011. “I do believe that consumer electronics has been a savior for the economy,” says Shapiro, noting that sales were down in 2009 but that 2010 actually saw growth. The Consumer Electronics Show, which had also seen declining attendance numbers over the last two years, is also predicted to be way up, according to Shapiro, “in every sector possible. There is phenomenal optimism.” The event begins January 5 in Las Vegas.
