Last week 175,000 people from165 countries make their annual trip to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Over 4,500 global companies and tech startups showcased new and innovative tech. The media desperately searched for the best ideas hidden inside 2.9 million net square feet of exhibition space.

After following the news online, I was a little disheartened around new tech that didn't seem to solve any real problems. Samsung's Ballie is a tennis ball-like robot that beeps and rolls around following its owner and captures special moments. But this seemed at odds with our new privacy-aware state,

With the increasing awareness around climate change, I found myself wondering if Charmin's Bluetooth-controlled robot bear that brings its owner a spare toilet roll is the best use of our resources? But rather than turn into just another bitter tech columnist, I went in search of a more positive and optimistic view.

Over at Finn Partners, they have a talented mix of researchers, strategists, designers, technologists, content specialists, and campaigners. With over 800 people across three continents, I knew they would have someone that attends CES every year that could talk about the trends they have seen over the years and what stood out at this year's event.

Barry Reicherter is a senior partner at Finn Partners and has a passion for Digital Insights and Ideas. The Digital transformation and innovation leader joins me on Tech Talks Daily to discuss what he saw at CES. We also discuss the conversations he was monitoring online and those he heard on the show floor.

With more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Barry leads Finn Partners' Insights team focusing on online and social media research, analytics, planning, and measurement for clients operating in consumer, healthcare, education, government, public affairs, travel, and technology sectors.

Holding positions at AOL, Porter Novelli, Active.com, Sage Software, Widmeyer Communications and Finn Partners, Barry's body of work has been focused in the digital strategy and measurement for clients such as Hyundai, CapitalOne, American Express, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, American Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Steelcase, Rosetta Stone, HP, Nestlé, Pfizer, Chase, Pearson, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and Reed-Elsevier.

Barry is also a frequent speaker-panelist at industry conferences. Recently Barry joined the faculty of the Kogod School of Business at American University as an adjunct professor of digital branding for the M.B.A. program.