Strategy in TECH...
Marantz, part of Sound United, which itself is now part of Harman International Industries, which itself is part of Samsung, announced two new models in what it calls its “reference quality” home theater component series. The all-new AV 30 and AMP 30 are serious, pro-grade audio components that elegantly blend dramatic industrial design with flexible feature sets – with a high-performance-first product design philosophy.
Products like these really warm the heart of this old audio guy!
Big news this morning out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota as AVPro Global Holdings, LLC, one of the fastest growing companies in the custom integration industry, announces it has named current Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matt Murray as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Company founder and current CEO Jeff Murray will become the Chairman of the Board in a move that the company says was a long-planned generational leadership transition.
London-based audio company Cambridge Audio announced this week that it has selected Fidelity Imports as its exclusive distribution partner for the United States territory. This is a move that Cambridge says marks a “strategic milestone” and suggests will serve to scale up its operations here in the States.
I have to say that the team at Premium Audio Company (PAC), part of the VOXX division of Gentex Corp., does a nice job of paying homage to the long, 80-year history of technical innovation and market success of its Onkyo brand, while at the same time, launching innovative new models to propel the brand into a space-age future. While conventional wisdom might suggest otherwise, you could say that they prove that they can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Origin Acoustics announced this week that it has added well-known integration industry executive Jeff Brewer to its management team as Executive Vice President of Sales. Brewer will report to Marc Fisher, Origin’s President of Sales.
Crestron Electronics, a leading industry manufacturer of commercial and enterprise-grade connectivity gear, as well as sophisticated but simple control and automation solutions for the smart home, has launched another Crestron Experience Center (CEC) in Mechelen, Belgium. Not only does this stunning facility showcase the depth and breadth of Crestron technology, but it also demonstrates the company’s commitment to EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Asia) markets as well as to the greater global community.
Just days after Amazon put on its glitzy annual devices and services showcase for the media in New York City, employees were surprised to learn that a Vice President who helps oversee the devices division is leaving the company. In an internal memo circulated to employees, and viewed by Reuters News Agency, it was announced that Rob Williams, Vice President of Device Software and Services – and part of a small elite group of executives with direct access to CEO Andy Jassy known as the S-team – stepped down from his post…and furthermore, will leave the company entirely at year-end.
Here is a really smart idea: AVPro Global, one of the industry’s fastest-growing manufacturers of a wide range of products designed specifically for the residential and commercial custom integration spaces, is creating an “Expert Advisory Board.” Why is that smart? Because a well-selected advisory board can be a great sounding board (no pun intended) on strategies and tactics, and an almost limitless source of fresh ideas and perspectives for driving above-average growth.
The first expert appointed to this board is well-known industry executive Wally Whinna, formerly of ADI/Snap One, AVAD, Tandem Marketing, and Allnet.
The long-awaited closing of Masimo Corp.’s (NASDAQ: MASI) sale of Sound United (formerly Masimo Consumer) to Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has been formally completed. Both parties of the transaction put out their own separate announcements, with Masimo’s version quite short and perfunctory, while Harman’s gave little more than an inkling of what is to become of Sound United.
Crestron Electronics, a leading smart home and automation brand in residential and commercial custom integration, is introducing several exciting new products at CEDIA Expo 2025, such as new Cameo keypads, Horizon keypads, and the very cool-looking Cevo Mini Remote. But by far, my favorite launch is the Crestron Home Configure Pro system configuration tool.
