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It’s Official – Monster Money is Dead

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Monster Money logoBack in June, Strata-gee reported that Monster Products, Inc. (the former Monster Cable) had filed an S-1 registration document with the Securities and Exchange Commission, laying out its plans to launch a new cryptocurrency known as Monster Money. In addition to this, the company would offer shares in the company as well. The filing got a lot of attention at the time, in part because if successful, it would be the largest cryptocurrency launch ever to that point.

Now, I’ve learned that this initiative has been officially rescinded by the company.

See what we know about the retreat of Monster Money… [Read more…] about It’s Official – Monster Money is Dead

Emerald Expositions CEO Resigns, Q3 Results Released

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For Owner of CEDIA Expo, There’s Trouble in Emerald City

Emerald Expositions logoEmerald Expositions’ stock nose-dived 19% in early afternoon trading last Thursday as the company released its third quarter fiscal results and announced that David Loechner has resigned as the company’s President and CEO. Current CFO Philip Evans takes over as Interim President and CEO.

What’s going on at Emerald Expositions?… [Read more…] about Emerald Expositions CEO Resigns, Q3 Results Released

Gibson to Emerge from Bankruptcy & Stop Singing the Blues

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With Old Debt Gone, A New Leader & Team Arrives

Logo for Gibson BrandsGibson Brands is on the verge of emerging from bankruptcy a much healthier business in many respects – with less debt, more money in the bank, and a new leader to help the company shed its consumer electronics debacle and reconnect with the musical instrument market. The fifth time, it appears, was a charm as the court has approved the fifth revision of a company submitted turnaround plan that, cuts debt, jettisons former CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, and puts bondholders KKR in the driver’s seat.

See more on Gibson’s dramatic turnaround… [Read more…] about Gibson to Emerge from Bankruptcy & Stop Singing the Blues

Thiel Audio Files Bankruptcy in Bitter Coda to a Sad Song

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Although owned by an agribusiness tycoon who is rumored to be extremely wealthy, Thiel Audio Products Company last Tuesday declared bankruptcy. The company filed papers with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court saying it had assets of around $900,000 and liabilities of over $1,800,000. The filing was a bitter end to a sad series of developments over the last six years, with new owner David B. Griffin changing management teams at least five times in one five-year period. The result was a constant, if slow, slide down the slippery slope of ruin.

See what is learned from Thiel Audio’s bankruptcy filing… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio Files Bankruptcy in Bitter Coda to a Sad Song

Melrose Talks of Disposing of Nortek

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Are Elan, Speakercraft, Niles, Proficient, etc. In Play Again?

Nortek LogoMelrose PLC, owner of Nortek, including Nortek Security & Control, is openly talking to U.K. media about the likelihood of selling off Nortek – saying, in essence, their work is done, the turnaround is complete. This being the case, their thinking is that it is time to harvest their crop by selling off the company to reap their reward of profits.

But what does this mean for Nortek and its stable of brands?… [Read more…] about Melrose Talks of Disposing of Nortek

Equity Owner of AVAD Doubles Down, Buys WAVE & Consolidates

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WAVE Electronics logoKingswood Capital Management, LLC, a private equity company that describes itself as “an operationally-focused lower-middle market” PE company – and the current owner of AVAD – announced today that it has purchased Houston, TX-based custom integration distributor WAVE Electronics, Inc. and plans to merge it with AVAD to create one total entity. Their announcement says that with this move they “will create the single largest value-added distributor of high-end audio, video, security, and home automation solutions in the consumer electronics industry.”

Many thought they already were the largest distributor.

See more on this surprising news… [Read more…] about Equity Owner of AVAD Doubles Down, Buys WAVE & Consolidates

Gibson Begins Leadership Makeover w/New CFO

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Gibson's 2019 guitar lineupGibson Brands’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings have continued to incessantly march forward, the gritty work of a large scale matter such as this occurring mostly in the background. However, occasionally a major factor emerges to be picked up by the media. One thing the new owners of Gibson made a fundamental part of this initiative, was to change  the organization’s leadership.

This week, we learned that the company will soon emerge from bankruptcy with a new chief financial officer (CFO) – announcing the appointment of Kimberly Mattoon for the role.

See more on this Gibson news… [Read more…] about Gibson Begins Leadership Makeover w/New CFO

Onkyo Targets OEM Business to Beef Up Results

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Onkyo logoOnkyo Corporation, parent of the Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer AV brands, is expanding its OEM business unit to help build its business and offset losses it has experienced over the last five years, according to a report by the Nikkei in Japan. Investors are said to be skeptical of the move, but the company is targeting the automotive segment in India where they expect to see significant growth.

See more on this interesting move by Onkyo… [Read more…] about Onkyo Targets OEM Business to Beef Up Results

Showing Signs of Life, Krell Announces New COO

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Krell logoKrell Industries LLC formally announced today it has hired Walter Schofield as its new Chief Operating Officer. Schofield is fairly well known in the audio community, in fact, Krell refers to him as an “industry veteran.”

See more on this new appointment… [Read more…] about Showing Signs of Life, Krell Announces New COO

The Top 3 Integration Trade Media Groups Were All Acquired in Last 12 Months

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Trade media graphicJust What the Heck is Going On Here?

On Tuesday we learned that select properties of EH Media – owner of CEPro, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales & Integration, Campus Safety and others – had been acquired by Emerald Expositions (the new owner of the CEDIA Expo). Earlier this year, U.K.-based Future plc, a global media company, acquired U.S.-based NewBay Media – parent of Residential Systems, Sound & Video Contractor, AVTechnology and others. And almost exactly one year ago, IFA – producer of the largest consumer electronics trade show in the world (held in Europe) – “partnered” or acquired a significant stake in NAPCO Media’s consumer technology division – parent of Dealerscope, Technology Integrator, and Connected Design.

So that’s three of the top custom integration trade media companies all acquired within the last 12 months. What the heck is going on here?

It’s crazy days in the CI trade media world… [Read more…] about The Top 3 Integration Trade Media Groups Were All Acquired in Last 12 Months