Audio Control – the U.S. manufacturer of a unique line of solutions for mobile, home, and industrial markets – announced at the end of February that it has launched two new audio/video receiver (AVR) models called the Concert AVR-6 and AVR-8. These two new models replace the existing AVR-4 with upgraded construction and new capabilities, including support for 4K Ultra HDTV and 3D.
Manufacturers
Sony Cuts Get Deeper – A Third of U.S. Staff to be Cut; 20 Sony Stores Will Close
Although not a surprise, Sony Electronics in San Diego began releasing details of a substantial cutback in U.S. facilities and personnel. The company says it will cut 33% of its U.S. staff – about 1,000 employees. Also, the company announced a major retreat from retail as it will close 20 of its 31 total Sony Store locations.
See more on this significant Sony restructuring… [Read more…] about Sony Cuts Get Deeper – A Third of U.S. Staff to be Cut; 20 Sony Stores Will Close
Environmental Group Raises Stakes to Stop LG’s New US Headquarters
A group of concerned citizens and several environmental groups have banded together to form an organization known as the Protect the Palisades group in an effort to stop LG Electronics USA from building a new headquarters tower in an area of New Jersey called the Palisades. The Palisades is a large wooded area that spans parts of Northern New Jersey and Southern New York, and it borders on the picturesque Hudson River. It is famed for its wild and natural beauty – and it is a U.S. National Natural Landmark.
Now, the Palisades group has raised the stakes in its fight to stop LG, which has already broken ground on the disputed project… [Read more…] about Environmental Group Raises Stakes to Stop LG’s New US Headquarters
Toshiba Leaps Into the Aging-in-Place Market via Partnership with GrandCare Systems
Toshiba Digital Products Division announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with GrandCare Systems – a well-known company specializing in digital aging-in-place products, sensors, and solutions. According to Toshiba, GrandCare’s telehealth and communications capabilities will now be delivered via “secure, high-performance Toshiba devices.”
See more on this interesting diversification by Toshiba… [Read more…] about Toshiba Leaps Into the Aging-in-Place Market via Partnership with GrandCare Systems
Best Buy Licenses Sharp Brand Name for Smaller, Cheaper TVs Sourced from OEM Suppliers
In a report out of Japan last week, the Nikkei says that Sharp Corp. has reached a deal with Best Buy that will allow the retailer to license the Sharp brand name to be used on TVs made by OEM manufacturers for smaller and less expensive TVs. Sharp will continue to retain the brand for larger-sized sets (i.e. >50-inches), while Best Buy will have their OEM suppliers make Sharp-branded sets in smaller sizes.
Then move could be risky, potentially causing a conflict between the lower quality smaller sets and the higher quality larger sets…each bearing the Sharp brand.
See more on this move designed to bring in a royalty stream with no cost of inventory… [Read more…] about Best Buy Licenses Sharp Brand Name for Smaller, Cheaper TVs Sourced from OEM Suppliers
New Marketing VP for Core Brands Zeros in on a Key Problem
Core Brands continues to rejigger its team as we mentioned in our Breaking News SYNCH earlier this week. And one major step in this process took place in September 2013 when Core Brands surprised many by announcing the appointment of Joe Roberts as its new head of marketing, replacing Paul Starkey. Two weeks later, Roberts headed to his first CEDIA ready to jump in feet first and reassure dealers of the company’s direction…and learn all about any concerns that they felt the company needed to address.
Boy…did he get an earful… [Read more…] about New Marketing VP for Core Brands Zeros in on a Key Problem
Witten & Weisenberg Out of Core Brands as Company Reorganizes Its Product Management Team
BREAKING NEWS
Today we learned that Core Brands has taken steps to reorganize their product marketing teams with moves both to bring in new executives – and to move two prominent executives out. Mitch Witten, former Core Brands Director of Audio, and Mark Weisenberg, Business Development, are both out of the company effective immediately.
See who is newly joining the company, or has been promoted into new roles… [Read more…] about Witten & Weisenberg Out of Core Brands as Company Reorganizes Its Product Management Team
Yamaha Announces Financial Results Through Fiscal Third Quarter – It’s All Good
Yamaha Corp., likely heaving a sigh of relief, announced their financial results for the 9-month period through the fiscal third quarter (April 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013) with almost all good news. Showing significant sales and profit gains, the musical instrument and electronics manufacturer benefited from positive currency exchange rates…and lower overhead due to previous cost-cutting efforts.
See Yamaha’s results below – results good enough for the company to raise its dividend… [Read more…] about Yamaha Announces Financial Results Through Fiscal Third Quarter – It’s All Good
The DaVinci Group Promotes Jeff Francisco to President as Part of Sales Team Expansion
The DaVinci Group, Inc., a young but rapidly growing manufacturer of custom integration products, announced today at the 2014 ISE show that Jeff Francisco has been named President of the company. Francisco has been the company’s Vice President of Sales for most of the last year.
According to the company, this announcement is part of an overall expansion of its executive team, as the company seeks to build up its infrastructure to better address its rapid growth.
Learn more about this appointment…and why the company needed to take this step now… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Promotes Jeff Francisco to President as Part of Sales Team Expansion
Sony, Finally Making Its Move, Puts the Computer Biz Up for Sale; TV Biz is Next Target for Shake-Up
The Nikkei reported this week that Sony Corp. has finally taken a bold step to reorganize its business by putting its VAIO computer division up for sale. According to the report, the company is in negotiation to offload the division to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), a Japanese investment company.
