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THE CAPTAIN IS BACK

by Tom Cantrell

Start ı Roots ı ı180s Turn ı eZ Way Out ı Captain at the Crossroads ı Sources

I recently attended Zilogıs 25th anniversary party, a rather impressive affair from a number of angles. First, the venue was greatıSan Joseıs Tech Museum of Innovation. Itıs chock full of neat hands-on exhibits (kids, old and young, love it), all with a definite Silicon Valley edge. It has everything from a design-and-ride virtual roller coaster to a mock-up clean room. The Tech also includes an IMAX theatre, displaying those awesome huge screen shows. I highly recommend it next time youıre in town.

Now, lest you think Iım on the chamber of commerce, keep in mind the other Silicon Valley alternatives are stuff like the Winchester Mystery House and Trees of Mystery, the main "mystery" being why tourists canıt find something better to do.

But, back to Zilog. Food and drink at the party were excellent and unlimited (there was a most delicious dessert tray): a definite upgrade from what the press knows all too well. I enjoyed the exhibit of Zilog memorabilia, too, including a bunch of the original Captain Zilog souvenirs (see Photo 1).

Photo 1ıLast seen duking it out with Intel and Motorola in 1979, the Captain is back.

Even the program was great. Of course, there had to be a program. The way it works is that you show up for the fun and goodies, then youıve got to pay your dues. All too often, you suffer through long-winded marketing pitches that normally wouldnıt make it beyond your round file.

But this time, the speakers included the well-known Valley PR impresario (and darn good stand-up comic) Fred Hoar, followed by Zilog founder Federico Faggin, who proved that two guys (he and Ralph Ungermann) who want to change the world can indeed do that. Finally, new chief Curtis Crawford, inspired no doubt by Zilogıs recent return to profitability, delivered some big-league inspiration and vision, more befitting a Fortune 500 company than one trying to catch up with the pack.

So, hats off to the PR folks at Zilog. It was a good show! However, I always say that itıs the chips that talk, while PR walks. The real question is: Does Zilog have the silicon to back up the sizzle?

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