Before moving to beautiful Boise this past spring I lived and worked in Las Vegas for over five years in local marketing and media. Over the course of those five years I've seen the city change time and time again.  From the booming housing market to the "burst of the housing bubble", imploding casinos right in the middle of the city and jaw dropping casinos built in what seemed like a matter of weeks (ie The Wynn). So, in all honesty, nothing really surprises me.  Vegas always finds a way to reinvent itself and continue to pull people in from around the globe (usually hauling an enormous drink served in a plastic replica of the Eiffel Tower and wearing flip flops).

However, I recently learned of the latest attraction at the MGM Grand, the CBS Television City Research Center.  Real research conducted in Las Vegas of all places- this is new... and might I add-brilliant!  Vegas contains the perfect sampling of people from all across our country.  Carrying with them different habits and preferences. 
Here's the short and sweet of this process. Guests can receive tickets either at the front desk, concierge, or ticket counter (for FREE). Participants then enter into one of four studios for a viewing of CBS and Viacom Network's latest programming. After viewing they are instructed on how to use their personal test pads and monitors to rate the experience. Television City also offers parting gifts as they exit- hats, t-shirts, pins, and key chains. They can also enter to win a $5,000 home entertainment system. Nielsen (a partner in TV City) then compiles the research and sends it to top networks executives giving them real-time responses in turn changing the course of programming.  It's amazing to think that media planning strategy could be affected this quickly. 

I can't say that I'm surprised at this new and innovative way to gain access into people's viewing habits.  Although, I am surprised that it's been made into such a Las Vegas "attraction".  I guess this is one time when what happens in Vegas, doesn't stay in Vegas!