Strata-gee.com

Strategy in TECH...

Sonance James Small Aperture Series
You are here: Home / Archives for Brands

Brands

Gibson Brands Continues to Show Signs of Strain

by 1 Comment

Downsizing Factory & Dilution of Onkyo Ownership

Logo for Gibson BrandsRecent developments have thrust Gibson Brands back into the spotlight once again – a spot that CEO Henry Juszkiewicz doesn’t particularly enjoy, unless he’s there on his own terms. But this time, two tidbits of news have conspired to bring Gibson, and their financial challenges to the fore. And as we try to digest all of this, it’s clear that Gibson is continuing to show signs of strain due to sluggish results from its aggressive diversification into consumer electronics jeopardizing its ability to deal with looming huge debt payments on the loans used to acquire CE brands.

See the news that shines a light on Gibson’s troubled financial position… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Continues to Show Signs of Strain

Samsung Surprises LG with Viral Video OLED Slam

by 1 Comment

12-Hour ‘Image Retention’ Test to Make OLED Look Bad

Image from Samsung videoKorean media is reporting that a nasty fight has erupted in South Korea, where Samsung has uploaded a video that compares its QLED screen versus an LG OLED screen. The slickly produced comparison video allegedly shows “image retention” (commonly called burn-in over here) on the OLED screen after gamers play on both screens for twelve hours straight. LG, understandably, cries foul…

See this ugly fight that has erupted on the eve of the big TV sales season… [Read more…] about Samsung Surprises LG with Viral Video OLED Slam

Strata-gee Interviews Emerald Expositions Executive

by Leave a Comment

Photo of Brianna MorrisWhat the Future Holds for the CEDIA Show

“Do I need to ‘prepare’ for anything?” Emerald Expositions Marketing Manager Brianna Morris asked us in a firm tone as we met to set up a date for an interview. “Prepare?,” we asked. “Yes…we’re read your stuff,” she said in a deeper tone.

I could tell right then, it was going to be an interesting interview.

See our interview with Emerald’s CEDIA show marketing manager… [Read more…] about Strata-gee Interviews Emerald Expositions Executive

Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro

by Leave a Comment

Photo of Josh MicroJosh.ai, the high-end voice control solution that created quite a buzz at last year’s CEDIA show, announced today that it is launching its first hardware product, Josh Micro. Josh Micro includes a home control processor, far-field microphone array, and a superior user interface in a small package that “fits in the palm of your hand.” It also disconnects Josh.ai from the need to talk into your smartphone…or to a nearby Amazon Echo.

See more on Josh Micro… [Read more…] about Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro

Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?

by 3 Comments

Moody’s Hits Gibson Brands with Another Credit Downgrade

Logo for Gibson BrandsMoody’s Investors Service, one of the largest credit rating services in the world, has downgraded the credit rating for Gibson Brands, the Nashville-based parent of Gibson Guitar, Onkyo, Teac, KRK, Philips, Stanton and more. Moody’s has set their rating on Gibson Brands debt to Caa3, down one step from Caa2.

The move caused Wall Street investment analyst The Street to raise the specter of the possibility of Gibson Brands defaulting on their debt.

See why Moody’s says the Gibson Brands situation is unsustainable… [Read more…] about Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?

Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee

by 7 Comments

New CEO Outlines a New Future for the 40-Year Old Brand

Photo of Elyse McKenna, Thiel Audio CEOYou practically need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have come and gone from Nashville-based Thiel Audio. The specialty speaker company has had five CEOs in four years – leading to an unending series of disjointed actions from a disconnected group of high-powered executives, each with their own vision of where to take the company.

Now it is new Thiel CEO Elyse McKenna’s turn…and she has a plan… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee

RTI Appoints Returning Clint Forberg Central Regional Biz Manager

by Leave a Comment

RTI logoControl and home automation manufacturer RTI announced this week that former employee Clint Forberg is returning to the company as its Central U.S. Regional Business Manager. Earlier in his career, Forberg did a nine year stint at RTI as Director of Training and Eastern U.S. Sales Manager.

Learn more about Forberg’s return to RTI… [Read more…] about RTI Appoints Returning Clint Forberg Central Regional Biz Manager

They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote

by 1 Comment

Photo from Amazon Keynote
CEDIA 2016 – Charlie Kindel of Amazon Alexa tells integrators that Amazon wants to work with them.

CEDIA announced today that like last year, Amazon will offer a sponsored keynote presentation at the upcoming CEDIA 2017 show in San Diego. The Amazon keynote will take place on Thursday, September 7, from 2:00PM – 3:00PM in the San Diego Convention Center Ballroom 20A.

See more on this Amazon CEDIA keynote… [Read more…] about They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote

Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era

by 1 Comment

Lenbrook logoLenbrook International announced this week a major transition in their management team in what it said was a carefully thought-out “succession plan.” Lenbrook, parent company to the Bluesound, NAD, and PSB brands, will restructure their senior management team in the wake of a form of retirement of two of its most prominent leaders – Lenbrook Americas President & CEO Dean Miller; and Chief Brand Officer John Banks. It is not an overstatement to call this the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.

See more on this change at Lenbrook… [Read more…] about Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era

Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W

by Leave a Comment

BREAKING NEWS

Dana Innovations logoDana Innovations announced this morning that it has appointed two new regional sales managers – Marc Schnoll and Dan Dusek. Both Schnoll and Dusek come to Dana Innovations from Bowers & Wilkins.

See more on these new Dana Innovations appointments… [Read more…] about Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W