Yesterday, 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.
Marketing
CEDIA EXPO 2013 Overview and Attendance
CEDIA’s Expo in 2013 returned to Denver, CO, a favorite location for many attendees and exhibitors – a point to which we can attest as so many said so in Strata-gee’s CEDIA Survey over the last few years. So was Denver the panacea needed to get everyone back into a positive state of mind? Was the show everything everyone hoped it would be?
See our thoughts below on EXPO 2013… [Read more…] about CEDIA EXPO 2013 Overview and Attendance
GoldenEar Launches New Larger SoundBar and ‘SuperCenters’
GoldenEar, the now 3-year old brainchild of speaker savant Sandy Gross, continues an aggressive product launch schedule announcing both a new larger soundbar and a line of center channel speakers with the rather shopping mall-sounding name of SuperCenters. Like all GoldenEar products, these new models are reserved strictly for GoldenEars’ limited distribution to predominantly specialty dealers and installers.
See more on these interesting new GoldenEar speakers… [Read more…] about GoldenEar Launches New Larger SoundBar and ‘SuperCenters’
Peachtree Audio to Tap D&M Executive Andrew Clark as President
We learned today that Peachtree Audio will name Andrew Clark as its new President, effective October 1st. Clark, a long time industry executive with experience at company’s large and small, is currently employed at D&M Group as its Global Business Team Leader, Soundbars & Speakers. He will leave his position in one week to take over at Peachtree Audio.
See more on Clark’s transition to Peachtree… [Read more…] about Peachtree Audio to Tap D&M Executive Andrew Clark as President
Gibson Brands Goes Looking for an Advertising Agency on AMC’s ‘The Pitch’
Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar) announced today that CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will be featured on an episode in season two of AMC’s reality show “The Pitch.” The show chronicles the steps that rival advertising agencies go through to win new clients.
See more on Gibson’s participation on ‘The Pitch’… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Goes Looking for an Advertising Agency on AMC’s ‘The Pitch’
Strata-gee’s CEDIA Expo Survey Offers Surprises – Positive & Negative
The CEDIA Expo is next week and our annual CEDIA Survey is now closed for responses. Thank you all who participated – we truly appreciate those of you who took the time to respond. Results are in and we have to say, just when we think there are no surprises left…we get surprised again.
See some of the surprising…and not so surprising results from this our 2013 Expo Survey… [Read more…] about Strata-gee’s CEDIA Expo Survey Offers Surprises – Positive & Negative
Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug
Is Apple the Victim of Unreasonable Expectations? Or Is the Reaction to Incrementalism Justified?
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
What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
One of the hottest trends in the automobile industry over the last few years is the emergence of a whole new category of vehicle called the “crossover.” A crossover combines the capacious body design of a modified SUV (sport utility vehicle) with the enhanced handling and drivability of a car-based chassis. The result is something that doesn’t exist in either of those independent categories.
Now, Salamander Designs, Ltd. and Leon Speakers have partnered to create their own version of a crossover for our industry as Salamander launches a new line of accessory custom speakers from Leon, perfectly designed to integrate with their cabinets.
See more on this new “crossover” product from Salamander in partnership with Leon… [Read more…] about What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
Tech Commercial Parody is Funny, But Leaves a Sour – and Painful – After-Taste
Being in tech, we’re supposedly in the innovation business. The fact is when it comes to marketing, we’re not very innovative. Our advertising follows predictable patterns which are NOT innovative – and leaves us open to ridicule. Well, one website is calling us on the carpet – CollegeHumor.com who has launched a video parody of tech advertising.
I found this parody courtesy of David Pogue, the New York Times tech reporter, who says he can’t stop “cackling.” I, too, laughed heartily as I recognized all those formulaic tactics advertisers use to sell generic tech products. But the more you think about it…a sour – and painful – after-taste sets in.
See the CollegeHumor parody titled “Every Tech Commercial” below… [Read more…] about Tech Commercial Parody is Funny, But Leaves a Sour – and Painful – After-Taste
ICE Cable Has Innovation in the Box
We often think innovation has to be some major technological breakthrough – some amazing new mobile device…or smartwatch…or IP-enabled network controller configurator extender…or such. That’s cool…but we’re firm believers in all forms of innovation – including mini-innovations. And there are opportunities for innovation everywhere. ICE Cable, for example, says it has innovation – in the box!