CEDIA announced on Wednesday that it has launched mobile access to their CEDIA Online Community via a new app. This move allows members on the go to easily access community postings with a quick and easy-to-use app.
Marketing
Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
BREAKING NEWS
SnapAV announced today that it has partnered with lighting kingpin Lutron to offer a special version of their RA2 Select repeater, part of an entire RA2 Select system, that has been natively integrated into SnapAV’s OvrC remote management system. The agreement between the two of them is said to have been taken with the goal of “expanding the market for smart lighting control.”
See more on this new partnership between Lutron and SnapAV… [Read more…] about Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
CEDIA Expo by Emerald, We Hit Our First Red Flag
Expo – Under New Management
Last week, I reached out to Emerald Expositions executive Brianna Morris who is one of the folks assigned to produce the new CEDIA Expo show, looking to discuss a couple of topics. The first, was to explore a couple of potential story ideas. The second was an easy and simple housekeeping question, or so I thought. But it was Morris’ response to that second simple question, that has caused me to recognize a red flag – and potentially an example of the possible downside to having an industry tradeshow owned and operated by an outside-the-industry, for-profit business.
See the red flag I stumbled across in my CEDIA Expo request to Emerald… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo by Emerald, We Hit Our First Red Flag
Gibson CEO Turns to PR to Stop Crashing Reputation
Company Rehires CFO With Debt Deadline Fast Approaching
As the music world media continues to trumpet the news of the potential impending collapse of Gibson Brands, noting large outstanding debts and the exit of the company’s CFO, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz launches a PR blitz to try and stem the collapse of the company’s reputation. It is a critical time for Juszkiewicz, as he is engaged in trying to refinance the company whose huge debt portfolio of over $500 million comes due in just a few short months. To try and stem the tide, Gibson released a couple of press releases last week claiming, in essence and improbably, that things are just fine.
Oh and Gibson Brands hired a CFO…or rather, re-hired a former CFO… [Read more…] about Gibson CEO Turns to PR to Stop Crashing Reputation
Monster Throws a ‘Hail Mary,’ Pays Millions for Super Bowl Ad
Monster, Inc. (formerly Monster Cable) announced this week that it is launching its first ever television ad during the NBC broadcast of Super Bowl LII this Sunday, February 4. Usually the biggest TV event of the year, Super Bowl commands a king’s ransom in fees for advertisers, reportedly $5 million for a 30-second spot according to Sports Illustrated. Monsters ad? A full 60-second spot.
See more on Monster’s super expensive Super Bowl ad… [Read more…] about Monster Throws a ‘Hail Mary,’ Pays Millions for Super Bowl Ad
Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
A News Story and a Metaphor
CTA’s marketing message for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year was “Whoa!” While this is a reference to surprising innovations, it now appears that the biggest Whoa! to emerge from CES was a power blackout that hit the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon. Social media was buzzing and many show attendees posted images of the darkened halls with some of the biggest booths – Samsung, Panasonic – quite literally in the dark.
There really is nothing sadder-looking than a technology tradeshow…without power. Considering the coverage we’ve seen about CES in the general media this year, that blackout could be a metaphor about the declining power the show holds over the market these days.
See more on a darkened CES, the industry’s biggest tradeshow… [Read more…] about Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
Portal Adds Origin Acoustics; Gains Exclusive on Valet Amp
Portal announced today that it has secured a deal with Origin Acoustics which will allow dealers to select and purchase Origin products through its unique, brand-agnostic, proposal and purchasing web portal for integrators. The deal includes not only Origin products, but iRoom brand models as well. And Portal says it will be offering “exclusive access to the award winning Valet Amplifier system.”
See more on this new line being offered through Portal… [Read more…] about Portal Adds Origin Acoustics; Gains Exclusive on Valet Amp
Toshiba: Beginning to Slip From View
Company Pulls Monster LED Display from Times Square
Struggling Toshiba Corp. has made what is undoubtedly a difficult decision and a big blow to their corporate ego – they will abandon their giant LED display overseeing Times Square. The huge lighted billboard was a prominent showing of the Toshiba logo all year-round, but especially during the dropping of the ball on New Years Eve, when it served as the countdown shown on network TVs as cameras broadcast the ball drop around the world. The Toshiba logo has literally lit up Times Square for ten years, having been first erected there in December 2007.
See more on Toshiba’s decision to vacate Times Square… [Read more…] about Toshiba: Beginning to Slip From View
New Social Media Study is a Wake Up Call for Brand Marketers
Let me see if I can get your attention right now: 76% of all U.S. consumers purchased a product they first discovered in a social media post.
Let that sink in for a minute…digest it a little. Now WAKE UP! Nearly 8 out of 10 Americans bought a brand’s product that they first discovered in a social media post. If ever there was a time to tune-up your social media marketing strategy…it’s now. What’s that you say? You DON’T HAVE a social media marketing strategy?? No worries…you’re only missing out on about 8 out of 10 consumers in the market. I’m sure you’ll be fine…NOT!
See more on this new research on the importance of a social media program… [Read more…] about New Social Media Study is a Wake Up Call for Brand Marketers
Quirky Shinola Launches New Headphone Line, Made in Detroit
Quirky Shinola, the scrappy Detroit, MI-based manufacturer of an eclectic collection of disconnected product lines, including watches, bicycles, leather goods, jewelry and, now, audio, has introduced a line of headphones, including over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear models. The company, which is owned by Bedrock Manufacturing Company, LLC, is as much an experiment in bringing manufacturing back to bankrupt Detroit, as it is a power brand.
