Reuters is reporting that Emerald Expositions LLC, the major trade show exposition company that bought the CEDIA show last week, is considering putting itself up for sale. This report became public on Wednesday, January 25th…the day before CEDIA announced it has sold its trademark show to Emerald. All of which leads to the distinct possibility of the show changing hands again, in just a matter of weeks.
Management
Why Consumers Don’t Like to Shop at Retail Anymore
New research into what frustrates consumers when shopping in a retail store may give us a clue as to why brick-and-mortar retail is struggling – while online retailers are growing. Market research firm Capgemini asked consumers what they thought was a simple question that would elicit a simple answer. Little did they know that shoppers were only too happy to list the multiple reasons why they are frustrated with the retail shopping experience today.
See this latest research showing where retail is “dropping the ball”… [Read more…] about Why Consumers Don’t Like to Shop at Retail Anymore
Savant Holds Integration Summit in Denver, Outlines New Path Forward
In the wake of recent major executive changes, Savant seemed to fall into silent mode, deflecting media inquiries and in general buying itself time to get organized. All that is changing now as the company wrapped up a summit of its integrators in Denver – its largest ever – where it made several major announcements. At the integration summit, Savant revealed new products, new services, and a new commitment to the custom integration community.
See what we know so far about Savant’s announcements… [Read more…] about Savant Holds Integration Summit in Denver, Outlines New Path Forward
Bridwell Leaves Digital Projection for Screen Innovations
Screen Innovations (SI) announced this week that it has hired Michael Bridwell as its Vice President, Sales and Marketing, a newly created role for the company. Bridwell’s appointment is effective immediately, and he is said to be already at work helping to create “unmatched experiences for SI’s present and future customers.”
See more on Bridwell’s career and new role at Screen Innovations… [Read more…] about Bridwell Leaves Digital Projection for Screen Innovations
Samsung Chairman Named as Suspect by Prosecutors in Political Probe
After a tough 2016, Samsung was likely looking for a little relief in 2017. They’ll have to keep looking because, as the old saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” Reuters is reporting that prosecutors in South Korea have summoned Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee for questioning in a probe into an influence peddling scheme that may topple the president of the country and offer criminal indictments for some of the players.
Lee has been named as a suspect in the matter.
See more on this widening scandal and the risk to Samsung… [Read more…] about Samsung Chairman Named as Suspect by Prosecutors in Political Probe
Sharp Hit With Pushback; Hisense Refuses to Rescind Licensing Deal
Hisense is Said to be ‘Defiant’
News sources in Japan are reporting that Hisense has fired back at newly aggressive Sharp negotiating tactics, saying firmly it will not relinquish the licensing rights to the Sharp brand name in North & South America, as the company has recently requested. Hisense paid heavily to obtain those rights, and despite the fact that Sharp has asked to terminate the deal, the company has no intention of doing so no matter the offer – or more recently – no matter the threat from Sharp.
See more on this developing Sharp soap opera… [Read more…] about Sharp Hit With Pushback; Hisense Refuses to Rescind Licensing Deal
GoldenEar Adds to Its Sales Team
GoldenEar Technology announced this week that it has expanded its sales team with the addition of Christopher Volk. Volk, said to be a longtime A/V veteran, will take the position of Eastern Region Director of Sales for GoldenEar, effective immediately.
Learn more about GoldenEar’s new sales director… [Read more…] about GoldenEar Adds to Its Sales Team
Not Again! Another Big, Bad Surprise from Toshiba
Loses Almost a Third of Its Total Market Value in 2 Days
Toshiba Corps. stock price plunged 30% this week as the company announced it is facing the prospect of booking a potentially multi-billion dollar writedown related to an acquisition made by its U.S. unit, Westinghouse Electric. The acquisition was related to the construction of two nuclear power plant projects being built in the U.S. as the company made a big bet on a nuclear renaissance in the U.S. power structure – a bet that is not paying off.
Toshiba President apologizes for a potentially multi-billion dollar writedown… [Read more…] about Not Again! Another Big, Bad Surprise from Toshiba
iRule & OnControls Acquired by Kramer Electronics
iRule’s CEO Ben-Gal Talks to Strata-gee About Acquisition
Kramer Electronics, a maker of hardware-centric control solutions for the commercial audio/visual market, has acquired Detroit, MI-based iRule, a fast rising provider of software-based home control and automation solutions – including their OnControls residential line – in a private transaction that closed last Friday, December 23rd. The terms of the deal, including valuation, were not disclosed, but iRule co-founder and CEO Itai Ben-Gal told us this deal was the logical conclusion to a now multi-year relationship between the companies.
See more on this iRule acquisition by Kramer… [Read more…] about iRule & OnControls Acquired by Kramer Electronics
Is Sony Junk? Not Anymore, Says Moody’s
Moody’s Japan announced this week that it has raised its rating on Sony’s credit to Baa3, one step up from “junk.” This is the first time that Sony’s credit has been determined to be “investment grade” in years and reflects the company’s improved financial performance.
