This past Tuesday, Samsung Electronics began launching Harman audio brands in South Korea through their company owned locations. According to the Korean press, Samsung is “looking for business synergy” by combining its strength in distribution network, marketing, and world-class service, with Harman’s strength in manufacturing competitive audio products. It is an initiative, the local media says, that is expected to “have significant impact on South Korean audio markets.”
Archives for 2017
New Study Shows Surprising Resilience of Retail Shopping
In a newly released study of consumer shopping trends, which like many others is very favorable to online shopping, analysts are discovering surprising data favoring brick-and-mortar retailers. Even more surprising, the study results indicate a resurgence in a preference to buy goods in brick-and-mortar retail by younger shoppers. This shocking result runs counter to other studies and has caught some analysts by surprise.
See the surprising results of this new study on retail shopping preferences… [Read more…] about New Study Shows Surprising Resilience of Retail Shopping
T.H.E. Show Must Go On
One of the industry’s most successful luxury high-end audio shows, T.H.E. Show Anaheim, will take place at the Hilton Anaheim next month on September 22-to-24. Known to be a strong draw for audiophiles and other aficionados of luxury entertainment products, T.H.E. Show (The Home Entertainment Show) is a great place to see the best and the latest luxury high-end A/V and associated gear.
See more about T.H.E. Show, including why you may want to exhibit there… [Read more…] about T.H.E. Show Must Go On
Jeannette Howe Joins Transformative Engineering as VP of Sales
BREAKING NEWS
Specialty design and engineering firm Transformative Engineering has appointed Jeannette Howe to the newly created role of Vice President of Sales. The company notes that Howe’s background, including stints at “National Buying Groups, Trade Associations, and major retailers,” uniquely qualifies her for this role, which is an expansion of their existing sales team.
See more on this new appointment at Transformative Engineering… [Read more…] about Jeannette Howe Joins Transformative Engineering as VP of Sales
ATI Acquires Datasat Digital Entertainment
BREAKING NEWS
American amplifier manufacturer ATI (Amplifier Technologies Inc.) has acquired Datasat Digital Entertainment, a leading provider of digital surround sound technology for commercial cinemas and luxury home theaters, according to multiple sources. In a deal that sources tell us closed on Wednesday, ATI will take over and stay committed to both of Datasat’s primary market segments – commercial and residential.
See more of what we know on the ATI and Datasat deal… [Read more…] about ATI Acquires Datasat Digital Entertainment
Ted Green Talks Amazon, Microsoft Thermostats, & URC on ResiWeek
Strata-gee’s founder and editor Ted Green was a guest panelist on this week’s episode of AVNation’s ResiWeek podcast. ResiWeek is specifically targeted at the residential audio visual integration industry and weekly convenes a panel to discuss the top stories of the day, which in this episode, included a post from Strata-gee on Amazon hiring their own Geek Squad.
See what other topics were discussed and who else was on this episode of ResiWeek… [Read more…] about Ted Green Talks Amazon, Microsoft Thermostats, & URC on ResiWeek
Layoffs Hit Linear Subsidiary GTO Access Systems
One Out of Every Three Employees to Lose Job
GTO Access Systems LLC, a division of Linear LLC, itself part of Nortek, Inc. is planning to lay off fully 33% of its workforce, according to a report in the Tallahassee Democrat. The company says all layoffs should be completed by September 20th. This is the first significant layoff of any company associated with Nortek’s Security & Control Solutions segment of which we are aware.
Learn more about this significant layoff at GTO… [Read more…] about Layoffs Hit Linear Subsidiary GTO Access Systems
Creator of ‘Affordable Audiophile’ Gear, Marty Borish Dies
We learned late last week of the passing of yet another audio industry pioneer, Martin L. (Marty) Borish. Borish passed away July 11 from cancer. Although lesser known than some, Borish was instrumental in driving industry adoption and growth of the affordable audiophile products segment, both directly with NAD – the electronics company he founded – and indirectly with many other companies that competed with them.
See more on the remarkable story of Marty Borish… [Read more…] about Creator of ‘Affordable Audiophile’ Gear, Marty Borish Dies
In Letter to Dealers: Status of Classé is Still Mysterious
The mysterious circumstances enveloping high-end electronics manufacturer Classé, part of the B&W Group, that we first reported on last week appear to be continuing. There has been a new development – a new communication about the matter to Classé dealers by owner B&W Group. But imprecise wording – perhaps done intentionally – only serves to keep the situation unclear…and dealers debating…
See what the letter to Classé dealers says about the company’s status… [Read more…] about In Letter to Dealers: Status of Classé is Still Mysterious
Are Amazon Geeks Geekier than Best Buy’s?
Amazon Tests In-Home Installations
Recode is reporting that Amazon is testing an installation service for smart home products in several key test markets – in direct competition with Best Buy’s Geek Squad. While these two giants battle over the rights to install smart home solutions into the home, where does this leave the independent integrator?
