At the CEA Line Show last month, we saw a whole spectrum of exhibitors, including: 1) Unknown brands vying to get the attention of the tech press; 2) Well-known brands showing products again that have already been announced and shown; 3) And then there were a couple of surprises – well-known companies showing entirely new products or product categories. SpeakerCraft, a well-known predominantly custom integration supplier, surprised us with a new product in a new category for them…they call it Protegé.
Manufacturers
Is Pioneer Another Name for Innovator?
Years ago, the step-up component audio world was dominated by the big three: Yamaha, Onkyo, and Denon. Having joined Onkyo in 1985, I got to participate in what some people called the “meat of the market.” These brands hit the optimal “sweet spot” of volume and profitability and literally could be the difference between life-and-death for dealers.
And we knew it. Those were heady times, and often we let our egos run wild – turning our noses up at mass market brands such as Sony, Kenwood, and Pioneer. Well, I’m older and wiser now – the big three aren’t what they used to be – and I recognize smart and savvy moves when I see them…and Pioneer is impressing me. [Read more…] about Is Pioneer Another Name for Innovator?
Monster Announces New Monster, New Partnerships, and Mini-Fashion Show
Monster’s New Global VP of Marketing and Web
At the CEA LineShow last week, Monster put on a press conference that, as usual, was quite a show. And the first surprise was that the event was kicked off by a new Monster – recently appointed Global VP of Marketing and Web Tracy Benson. Benson, a former Senior Director at Best Buy, wasted no time launching into the presentation by reminding reporters that Monster Beats “proved them wrong” when many said consumers would not pay more for a better, more richer listening experience. [Read more…] about Monster Announces New Monster, New Partnerships, and Mini-Fashion Show
Four Weeks Later, The OAC Group and Russound Call Off Agreement
Only weeks after reporting of the triumphant return of Oscar Ciornei to Russound, a company for which he was once COO earlier in his career, news comes to us that the parties have agreed to part company. A swift and surprising development – the company says the reason for the mutually agreed-upon separation was an emerging conflict with an existing client. However, we have received reports that suggest other issues may have also been a factor.
Only one month on the job, what went wrong?… [Read more…] about Four Weeks Later, The OAC Group and Russound Call Off Agreement
CEA Line Show Overview
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.
See our show overview… [Read more…] about CEA Line Show Overview
THIEL Audio Appoints Scowcroft Associates as Rocky Mountain Reps
THIEL Audio announced today that it has appointed Scowcroft Associates as its sales representative for the Rocky Mountain territory effective immediately. Well-known and respected in the territory, Scowcroft Associates is also very experienced in the sales of mid- to high-end product lines.
[Read more…] about THIEL Audio Appoints Scowcroft Associates as Rocky Mountain Reps
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
New Corning Glass is So Thin, It’s Flexible; Will Drive New CE Products by 2013
Corning Inc., the American glass manufacturer deeply involved in providing glass for flat-panel TV and mobile device manufacturing, said this week that they have developed a glass so thin, it’s flexible. And this new glass, they call it Willow Glass, is so flexible it can help create a whole new class of consumer electronics devices with glass shaped into curved surfaces.
When will new CE products appear? Soon… [Read more…] about New Corning Glass is So Thin, It’s Flexible; Will Drive New CE Products by 2013
Sony Slaps Senior Execs – Makes Them Give Back Pay
In a public move that will probably make more sense in Japan than it will here, Sony Corp. said on Tuesday that seven top executives will return their fiscal 2011 performance-linked bonuses. The executives affected by this decision include their former CEO Howard Stringer and current CEO Kazuo Harai.
Why this announcement now?…. [Read more…] about Sony Slaps Senior Execs – Makes Them Give Back Pay
JVC Kenwood to Sell System Streaming Soothing Sounds of Forests
JVC Kenwood Corp. said that next spring it will begin selling a system designed to deliver the soothing sounds of the forest streamed over the Internet in real time. The company will be involved in all aspects of the system from setting up source equipment to collect the sounds of various forests, to coordinating the delivery of the forest content across the Internet, to delivering unique speaker systems in the homes of end users with technology to receive and play the environmental sounds.
How does it work?…
[Read more…] about JVC Kenwood to Sell System Streaming Soothing Sounds of Forests
