NEW YORK — Steve Smith has announced his plans to leave his full-time role as editor in chief of TWICE, effective July 31, to become editor at large.
He will continue to cover the CE industry with a monthly column and blog and will maintain an important link to the Consumer Electronics Association’s and TWICE’s Official CES Daily during the 2015 International CES.
Smith has led TWICE for 21 years and during that time his contributions to the brand and the CE industry have been tremendous. In his 32 years covering CE he has seen the many changes and innovations the market has presented. From the early days of video games and home computers and VCRs; to CE’s conversion from analog to digital formats with the introduction of CD, DVD, satellite TV and radio; to the game-changing launch of HDTV; and now, next-generation Ultra HD TVs, Smith has lent his perspective to these and many other burgeoning products and product categories. He looks forward to commenting on the all the innovations that are reaching the market today, including 3D technology and wearables.
“The highlight of my career has been the 21 years I have spent at TWICE,” said Smith. “As I take on a different role here, my thanks go to the industry’s suppliers, retailers, buying groups and distributors — not to mention the Consumer Electronics Association — that support our efforts and share their expertise and insights with TWICE. And my thanks to all current and former members of our editorial staff, including freelancers, who have helped create and maintain TWICE as a top-notch and reliable source of news and information for one of the most important industries of our time.”
During his tenure, TWICE has won awards for its coverage of the development of high-definition television from the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers, as well as numerous internal editorial awards from the publication’s various owners. He has been a sought-after speaker and moderator at a variety of industry events over the years.
Smith has also been a longtime friend and mentor to many in the industry and a key figure in bringing together the many disparate buying groups and distributors all under one tent, where competition takes a back seat to the sharing of information and best practices, during the many TWICE roundtables and events he has hosted and attended.
Through it all, he has given so much of his time and energy to various causes, including a longstanding relationship with the Anti-Defamation League. The organization bestowed one of its highest achievements on Smith in 2004 by recognizing his contributions and awarding him its Torch of Liberty award. He follows in the footsteps of many industry greats receiving this prestigious honor.
As well as being a member of the Leadership Panel for the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow program, he is a longtime judge on CEA’s CE Hall of Fame committee. He has also been interviewed and quoted by various media outlets to discuss key issues facing the consumer electronics industry many times during his career.
Prior to his tenure with TWICE, Smith held editorial leadership positions at Toy & Hobby World and Home Furnishings News.
In addition to continuing to contribute to TWICE, Smith plans on enjoying this next chapter in his life writing books and traveling with his wife of 34 years, Marion.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to congratulate Steve on a hugely successful tenure as TWICE’s editor in chief,” said Ed Hecht, VP/publisher, TWICE. “We look forward with excitement as he becomes TWICE’s editor at large, a role that is tailor-made for someone with Steve’s unique perspective and experience.”
TWICE will announce new editorial management shortly.