Episode 16 —*Panasonic

[MJCP]

After much delay it's finally live (though the audio is, I must warn you, dodgier than usual in parts).

MJCP and Dan Warne talk to Steve Rust, Managing Director of Panasonic Australia. Rust talks about 3D TV, toughened products, the future of IP television and "memorable" marketing (as well as his forays into Twitter). He also speaks frankly about his time with Apple Australia and the challenges he sees facing Panasonic. Also covered: the "It's Only Rock and Roll" event, and whether it was worth losing sleep over.

Listen Now.

[clinton1550]

Now that was worth the wait.

The audio quality wasn't that bad. I didn't mind it at all.

I did have a heap of things that I wanted to say but I can't remember them now. I'll have to listen to the podcast again. Stay tuned.

[ColinC]

For some reason I enjoyed this podcast more than the others (surprising too seeing that I don't own any Panasonic products): maybe it was the easy style of Steve Rust, he has a very "listenable to" manner. Very interesting comments on coming products and using social media with a Darwinian "market" selection approach.

By the end I was wondering why Dan Warne was included! No disrespect to Dan intended.

[Gazza]

Originally Posted by ColinC

For some reason I enjoyed this podcast more than the others (surprising too seeing that I don't own any Panasonic products): maybe it was the easy style of Steve Rust, he has a very "listenable to" manner. Very interesting comments on coming products and using social media with a Darwinian "market" selection approach.

By the end I was wondering why Dan Warne was included! No disrespect to Dan intended.

I listened to this podcast on my way to Melbourne this morning Colin and I totally agree with you. It was a fascinating look back over some of Apple's history, Panasonic in Japan, and even more interesting the "Australian" Panasonic. The level of independence given to the Australian "branch" of the company was as surprising and refreshing as its level of success. The freedom to produce local advertisements must give all the Australian employees a great deal of satisfaction and a certain ownership in their products. Steve Rust was an "easy" interviewee (and that's not designed to detract from the level of difficulty in producing a Podcast Matthew). In some podcasts the hosts have to work a lot harder to keep the ball rolling. In Dan's case in this podcast I think he was really enjoying the "story" as much as we were and his input was not needed as much as usual to back up Matthew. Steve has an interesting "history" and current role in Panasonic and was a "real find" as a Podcast guest. Well done Matthew, it was a fantastic podcast and one in which I was really sorry to hear you say, "We must wind up now we are over time!!" Drat, I could have listened for another hour quite easily. Great choice of guest. They've all been very good but Steve had that little extra "something."

[ColinC]

Originally Posted by ColinC

For some reason I enjoyed this podcast more than the others (surprising too seeing that I don't own any Panasonic products)

Sorry, I got that wrong! My landline phone is a Panasonic -my conscience is now clear!

[Bgrant]

That (as many have noted) was a cracker of a podcast. Lots of good Apple stuff and a fantastic look at Panasonic and all the great stuff they make/will make.

As for quality. You've got to go a long way further down to match some other Australian podcasts. For starters, you could mumble a lot more. I was staggered to find that one of the worst recorded segments on another podcast was made with relatively expensive brand-name (in fact, sponsor) microphones. The only explanation could be that they have them upside down or something… (every week??)

Good one, MJCP. Very much appreciated. Keep them coming.

[golfer]

As I recall, Matthew uses the same brand of microphone, so that can't be an excuse.

[Bgrant]

You are entirely correct. There's nothing wrong with the microphone…
I saw Merlin Mann using one just yesterday morning.

And it's not a good ad for the product.

[clinton1550]

I've just seen the ad for the Lumix tough camera where the guy skips it across the river, very clever ad.