FCC chairman's dinner

Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski employed some Web 2.0 skills to bring some funny to this year's Chairman's Dinner. In reference to the much-criticized increase in Verizon Wireless' early contract cancellation fees, Genachowski said: "Any Verizon employee leaving dinner early must pay a $350 fee." And Genachowski launched into a speech about broadband deployment and other issues with a fake Twitter feed scrolling on a screen behind him. Through the tweets, he roasted telecom policy powerbrokers Jim Cicconi of AT&T; Kyle McSlarrow of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and Gordon Smith, head of the National Association of Broadcasters. Genachowski spoofed on tech reporters, including Cecilia Kang and The Wall Street Journal's Amy Schatz. Most of the jokes were for insiders, and close to tradition, Genachowski's speech was likely a group-writing effort that included his staff.