Strategy in TECH...
The holiday season is upon us and 2022 is quickly waning. Longtime Strata-gee readers know that the holiday season always puts me in a reflective mood, and this year is no different. What a year 2022 has been…for the world…for the U.S….for the industry…for Strata-gee…and for me. See my Happy Thanksgiving 2022 thoughts…
On Monday, two well-known and highly regarded manufacturer sales representative firms in Northern California announced they were joining forces by combining their respective operations. Fielder Marketing, based in Reno, Nevada is acquiring Rich Jackson A/V, based in Alameda, California.
Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI), the owner of major audio company Sound United, revealed last week that it had received a favorable ruling against a former employee who was found by the Honorable Judge James V. Selna of the United States District Court of the Central District of California, to have stolen numerous company trade secrets and then employed them in the design of a competitive product and in numerous patent applications. With this conclusion, Masimo earned a long, hard-fought win that gives them positive momentum as they head to court again against a bigger combatant.
Why is this case – Masimo vs. True Wearables – particularly notable? Because alongside this action, Masimo is also suing Apple, Inc. on many of the same issues – a case that has just been incredibly bolstered by the District Court’s ruling against True Wearables and its founder Dr. Lamego.
Sources are telling Strata-gee that movie media server specialist Kaleidescape is undergoing a new round of turmoil, terminating manufacturer sales representatives and executives. Reports from multiple sources indicate the company is undergoing some type of transformation. However, details are sparse as to just exactly what is transpiring there. I asked Kaleidescape for comment and they responded.
Emerald Expositions (NYSE: EEX), the national B2B trade show company that owns CEDIA Expo, CE Pro, and Commercial Integrator surprised the industry at the recent CEDIA Expo 2022 by abruptly announcing that next year they will be “co-locating” a show for commercial integrators at the same time and in the same facility. Reaction to this announcement was…to put it mildly…mixed. Is Emerald trying to imitate the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show – an event for both residential and commercial businesses – by launching an ISUS (Integrated Systems United States) event??
Do you wonder why there was a mixed reaction to Emerald’s move? Read on…
Fidelity Imports, a U.S. importer and distributor of fine, upscale audio products, announced this month the appointment of Derek Kolterman as Director of Finance and Operations. The move is said to be the result of dramatic company growth driving the need for personnel expansion.
Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI), the parent company of Sound United, announced its financial results for fiscal 2022, third quarter this week, which covers the 90-day period ending on October 1, 2022. Results for the company, which makes and sells medical equipment and AV products, were mixed, showing good growth in revenues (sales) but a decline in earnings (profits).
Why were results mixed? Read on…
Sonance announced last week that it was transitioning its business model in Canada from one centered around a distribution model with an in-country partner responsible for all sales and servicing in the country to a new direct one where Sonance HQ will directly handle all sales and service of its products there. This week, we learn that the company has appointed a new National Sales Manager for Canada, responsible for implementing this new business model, building an all-new sales team, and managing their sales operations there.
That new executive is Toronto-based sales professional Brad Middleton.
Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE: EEX), parent company of Emerald Expositions, a large B2B trade show, conference, and event company, reported the financial results of its fiscal third quarter and you could almost feel the relief of a company rapidly climbing its way out of the deep hole into which COVID-19 had thrust them. I follow Emerald’s results because the company owns the CEDIA Expo trade show, as well as CE Pro and other media properties that participate in the custom integration industry.
On Wednesday, CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman sent a letter to all members advising them that the election process for new Board members has been completed – and that the slate of three Board-selected candidates for the three open Board seats has now been filled by Stephan Goodhue, Jennifer Mallett, and James Ratcliffe. The cheery tone of the letter belies the fact that the election process was viewed by many as tainted and has inflamed anger from what seems to be a fairly significant percentage of members who resent losing the opportunity to vote for a candidate of their choice.
However, in this letter, Friedman did allow that “…we need to do a better job of communication.”
