Name: David C. Tice
Book: “The Genius Box” (https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Box-Changing-Television-Business/dp/1543944736/ )
Please introduce yourself and your book(s)!
My name is David Tice. For a quarter of a century, I’ve overseen television and media research projects for many well-known television networks, media companies, industry associations, sports leagues, and media agencies. As a thought leader in research around media adoption and use, my work has been recognized numerous times through industry awards, selection to present at industry conferences, and mentions in industry press. This research has me a unique vantage point for observing the adoption of new television/media technologies in the home, their impact on use of existing television devices, and consumers’ evolving perceptions of television.
I wrote “The Genius Box” to share my perspective on the business of television today and in the near future. I also dive into the evolution of TV to provide context on how TV got to where it is today. My goal was to make “The Genius Box” a friendly read for those who are new to the industry, while still including thoughtful insights that will provide value to more experienced media professionals.
What is/are the story(ies) behind your book(s)?
The TV set, despite the most-present and most-watched device in the home, became an afterthought in wake of recent digital advances. However, the emergence of connected and smart TVs has brought the TV set back to prominence. How this happened, and what it means in the future for viewers and the television business, is examined in the book.
What inspires/inspired your creativity?
I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, particularly non-fiction and memoirs. That’s why this book is a bit of a mix of personal recollections of TV in my life, along with fact-based details of the TV business.
How do you deal with creative block?
Write around the block and then go back afterwards to fill the gap. But sometimes you just have to push through and hope you’re saying what you intended.
What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
In non-fiction, obviously incorrect facts are fatal errors. With fiction, it can be factual errors – if you know something is wrong, it can take you out of the story – or it can be logic bombs, where a character does something without authentic motivation, solely to get to a point in the story.
Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
Only that it’s worth extra investment to make the title compelling and the cover look professional (esp if self-publishing).
How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
Thankfully I haven’t had too much negative reaction but all you can do is take it in stride and keep it in mind for next time.
How has your creation process improved over time?
I’ve started using dictation function for some of my writing sessions, which I find useful in improving volume per session – the trouble is that the dictation software generates a lot of mistakes so requires a lot of fixing after the fact.
What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?
The best thing was getting very positive reviews of my book from people I admire in my industry. The worst was finding out just how much effort it takes to generate a page of content. The most surprising? Probably how badly sales are tracked and reported.
Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
I think you have to serve the end clients, your readers. But if you’re not authentic and enthusiastic about your topic/book, it shows, so personal satisfaction needs to be an important consideration also.
What are your plans for future books?
Right now I’m working on a fiction book about an event that cracks the USA along the political faultlines that we’ve seen in recent years. I would like to do an updated version of “The Genius Box” for a textbook publisher so it can be sold into colleges. And I also have in mind another novel, based on my mother’s life.
Tell us some quirky facts about yourself
- Prior to my career in media research, I had a 10-year career in aerospace engineering, working on the B-1B strategic bomber and the AC-130U Gunship.
- I tried out for “Jeopardy!” three times in the 1980s, and got to the last stage of auditions each time – but lost out due to “lack of personality”.
- I was acquainted with my wife in high school, but we never really talked. We started dating after meeting each other again at our 10-year high school reunion – and the rest, as they say, is history.