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In Wake of Poor Results, JVC Kenwood Announces Major Cuts to Staff & Compensation

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Photo Showing JVC Kenwood Corporate Vision

Just days after the JVC Kenwood Corp. announced their dismal fiscal first-half results and revealed dramatic revisions to their full-year forecast – including the surprising news that they would lose money this year – the company released a statement saying they would attack their performance shortcomings aggressively. A series of actions were outlined designed to mitigate the company’s projected loss…but they couldn’t say for sure at this time if these actions will have a material effect on the remaining fiscal period’s performance.

See the steps JVC Kenwood’s board of directors outlined to minimize their losses… [Read more…] about In Wake of Poor Results, JVC Kenwood Announces Major Cuts to Staff & Compensation

Nortek Q3 Results: The Road to Success Remains Really, Really Bumpy

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Troubling TidbitsOn Thursday last week, Nortek, Inc. released the financial results for its third quarter (ending September 28, 2013) as well as their nine-month YTD results – and on the following Friday convened a conference call with analysts to discuss them. While management put a positive spin on these results, one didn’t have to look very hard to see some glaring bumps Nortek is experiencing on their challenging road to success through restructuring and reorganization.

You can almost hear it in Michael J. Clarke’s voice when he said: “Nortek’s net sales and underlying operating performance for the third quarter were consistent with our expectations.” Not exactly the rousing proclamation of success we typically hear on their conference call for industry analysts.

What are the “bumps” Nortek’s hitting on the road to success?… [Read more…] about Nortek Q3 Results: The Road to Success Remains Really, Really Bumpy

Promising Newcomer AudioXperts Abruptly Ceases Operations

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BREAKING NEWSPhoto of Eli Harary of AudioXperts

After only a little more than one year in operation, AudioXperts – a new specialty brand of audio electronics targeted at the luxury consumer market – has closed down operations. According to AudioXperts President Eli Harary, the company was forced to shut down last Friday after a key investor stopped all funding.

See more details on this startling development from a new and innovative company… [Read more…] about Promising Newcomer AudioXperts Abruptly Ceases Operations

Buying Group Kerfuffle Continues to Smolder

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VIA International logoYesterday, we reported on an unusual flare-up involving Azione Unlimited, VIA International, and the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) – initially fueled by a press release from Azione that announced VIA was resigning all buying groups. In the wake of this announcement, we contacted both VIA and HTSA, who suggested that Azione’s release was not accurate.

Our post yesterday reported what both sides were saying. But today, they said more…as the kerfuffle continues… [Read more…] about Buying Group Kerfuffle Continues to Smolder

Azione Notifies Market that VIA International Resigns from All Buying Groups – VIA & HTSA Respond

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Azione logoThe new retail buying group Azione Unlimited announced today that VIA International – a new mega-integrator made up of six separate integration companies merged into one – has resigned from all buying groups, effective October 1st. The announcement caught our eye as it was only tangentially about Azione (who lost two members as a result), yet offered assertions about VIA’s actions with no apparent participation from anyone at VIA.

VIA…and HTSA…react to Azione’s press release… [Read more…] about Azione Notifies Market that VIA International Resigns from All Buying Groups – VIA & HTSA Respond

Gibson Brands Strikes Again – Seeks to Acquire Cakewalk from Roland

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Logo for Gibson BrandsGibson Brands announced this week that it it has signed a letter of intent with Roland Corp. and Cakewalk, Inc. to acquire Cakewalk Inc., a music software company, for an undisclosed amount. The deal is pursuant to the successful negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement.

And with acquisition, Gibson says it will launch a new brand, Tascam Professional Software to sell the Cakewalk product line. See more on this acquisition below… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Strikes Again – Seeks to Acquire Cakewalk from Roland

Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey

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Nortek's Core Brands LogoIn an announcement considered a surprise by most in the industry – Core Brands announced that it has named Joe Roberts as VP of products and marketing. Roberts will replace Paul Starkey, the former President of Core Brands’ Elan division and, most recently, Senior VP of Marketing for the company.

See more on this surprising announcement, including comments from Starkey… [Read more…] about Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey

Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug

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Is Apple the Victim of Unreasonable Expectations? Or Is the Reaction to Incrementalism Justified?

:Photo of iPhone 5C
Apple’s new iPhone 5C

Apple, Inc. announced on Tuesday the long-awaited update of its key iPhone 5 smartphone, only to see its stock pummeled – losing more than 2% of its value on Tuesday and another 5.44% on Wednesday as investors appeared under-whelmed by the announcement. But is this reaction fair? Has Apple lost its innovation mojo? Or is Apple the victim of unreasonable expectations?

See more on the new iPhone 5C and 5S smartphones from the market leader… [Read more…] about Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug

EXCLUSIVE: CEDIA Gives Strata-gee.com A Deeper Look at Its Latest Benchmarking Survey

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STRATA-GEE.COM EXCLUSIVE

2013 Benchmarking Survy CoverLast month, we reported that CEDIA released its 2013 Benchmarking Survey with certain select data highlighted. Now CEDIA has offered Strata-gee.com an exclusive look at the full report (the summary version provided to all CEDIA members) with the opportunity for us to highlight any results we found particularly enlightening. And in the process of reviewing their results – we discovered a much more comprehensive read on the “typical” CEDIA member than we had originally expected.

See more on some of the more interesting results from CEDIA’s 2013 Benchmarking Survey… [Read more…] about EXCLUSIVE: CEDIA Gives Strata-gee.com A Deeper Look at Its Latest Benchmarking Survey

Soundcast Casts Deeper into International Waters

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*BREAKING  NEWS*

We told you last week about Soundcast Systems, Inc. who has engaged in a bold play to reinvigorate its business with the owners upping their capital investment, bringing in new management, anPhoto of Linda van Zantend ramping-up both marketing and personnel. When we interviewed President Mike Weaver about his international strategy, he paused and declined to go into great detail. He did, however, vaguely allude to a forthcoming “major announcement” relative to Soundcast’s international plans.

Today, the company revealed what must be the news that Weaver was referring to, as it announced that the company has hired LVZ International, a firm that specializes in international sales.

See more on this new turn-of-events… [Read more…] about Soundcast Casts Deeper into International Waters