The 2012 CEA Line Show wrapped up today and as usual, it was a combination of mind-numbing “me-too” posers, mixed in with a handful of some real, creative, innovators. The problem is, it took a lot of patience to wade through all of the literally hundreds of booths, and thousands of people to dig through muck…and find the gems.
Brands
Third Time’s the Charm? Colorado vNet – Now 3vNet – Certainly Hopes So
BREAKING NEWS
Colorado vNet, the high-tech control and home automation company that has had an up-and-down roller-coaster existence – dying twice, only to be reborn twice – and eventually given-up on and sold off…hopes that the old adage, “third time’s the charm” is true. CEO Mike Anderson announced today that he is re-launching the company with a new brand – now 3vNet – and a new attitude, telling us that this is not a makeover, but in fact a whole new company with new facilities, new engineering, and a new higher level of tech support the likes of which dealers haven’t seen in years.
See what the all-new 3vNet has in store to excite dealers & drive market share…
[Read more…] about Third Time’s the Charm? Colorado vNet – Now 3vNet – Certainly Hopes So
Sol Republic Wins Round 1 of Heavyweight Boxing Match with Signeo
Earlier this year, we reported on a trademark infringement suit filed by Signeo USA, LLC, vs. Sol Republic. Signeo is the corporate name for a company better known in the trade as the Soul by Ludacris brand of headphones. Sol Republic denied Signeo’s allegations and filed a counter-suit suggesting, amongst other things, that Signeo’s trademark application was improper. Signeo also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, seeking a court order to stop the sales of Sol Republic products.
There are lots of twists – and the court has rendered its verdict on the injunction… [Read more…] about Sol Republic Wins Round 1 of Heavyweight Boxing Match with Signeo
Latest Brand Preference Survey Spells Trouble for Key Tech Brands
In a new study by market researcher Strategy Analytics, more than six thousand consumers were surveyed about which technology brands they preferred – and the results highlight what is likely a radical market repositioning for certain tech brands that have lost market share in a challenging industry environment.
See if these results surprise you as much as some of them did me… [Read more…] about Latest Brand Preference Survey Spells Trouble for Key Tech Brands
Docking Solutions Open New Markets for Denon & Marantz
This week at D+M Group’s press presentation, the company focused on two major new product categories that appear to be targeted areas of growth for the company. After a general presentation with overview, the company broke up the rather large group of reporters into two sections: Group A, my group, went directly to a special display of docking products…or complete music systems with an iPod/iPad/iPhone dock. Group B went to headphones (see my report on Denon’s new headphone line here).
[Read more…] about Docking Solutions Open New Markets for Denon & Marantz
D&M Holdings Announces Sweeping Changes – Starting with Their Name
Even by late-May’s standards, it was an unusually hot and humid day this week as a major contingent of the tech press gathered up in Mahwah, New Jersey at the weirdest looking Sheraton you’ve ever seen – more rocket ship than hotel. We were summoned to a press presentation by D&M Holdings that promised to be more significant than those in the past. Little did we know that the heat of the day was presaging the hot presentation that was the subject of our gathering!
[Read more…] about D&M Holdings Announces Sweeping Changes – Starting with Their Name
BREAKING NEWS: Nortek Reorganizes Its Reorganization
Today, just a short time ago, Nortek Inc.’s AVC Group released an announcement that a major new phase of their reorganization is in the works. Specifically, the AVC Group which currently is the merged brands of Niles Audio, Elan, and Xantech, will be expanded to include SpeakerCraft, Proficient, Panamax/Furman all under the same roof. Furthermore, Nortek’s former reorganizer – Mark Terry – has been reorganized out of the newly restructured company.
[Read more…] about BREAKING NEWS: Nortek Reorganizes Its Reorganization
Connecting Three Powerful Partners – Technology, Vendors & Dealers
At this week’s Alliance Expo 2012 in Newark, NJ, we sat down with event promoter Audio Associates’ CEO Ron Meyerowitz to get his take on the event…and on trends in the industry. The dealer show, held annually by the well-known New York Metro-area sales representative firm, appeared to be quite successful at a time when many in the industry find business sluggish. We wanted to know – why was this year their biggest show ever…and what is the secret of their success?
[Read more…] about Connecting Three Powerful Partners – Technology, Vendors & Dealers
New York’s Huge ‘Alliance Expo’ Dealer Show is Next Week
<May 16, 2012> New York manufacturers representative firm Audio Associates tells me that they are ready-to-go for their huge dealer show called “Alliance Expo 2012 – Partnering for a Stronger Tomorrow” scheduled for next week and originally announced in the ALERT last month. Launching this coming Tuesday, May 22nd and wrapping up Wednesday, the company says they are pulling out all of the stops for another mega-event, taking place this year at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Newark, NJ. [Read more…] about New York’s Huge ‘Alliance Expo’ Dealer Show is Next Week
You Don’t Want Your Team in this ‘Sweet 16’ March Madness Bracket
Worst Company in America Contest
<March 21, 2012> It’s March Madness – the time of year that college basketball fans wait 12 months for – and the time of year when we hear talk around the water cooler of “How’s your bracket doing?” Brackets represent the team standings and fans can track the results as each of the games play out. And this year, popular consumer blog Consumerist is mimicking the event by using brackets to track their annual “Worst Company in America” survey. [Read more…] about You Don’t Want Your Team in this ‘Sweet 16’ March Madness Bracket
