Azione Unlimited, a national buying group of hybrid retailers and custom integrators, announced today that it has added its 75th member – a sure sign that its growth trajectory continues to move upward. The new member, Sound Ideas, Inc. of Armonk, NY, has joined the group effective immediately.
News
Whoa! An Elephant CAN Tap Dance
Social media has revolutionized marketing communications in many ways. But still, some haven’t figured out how to make it work. I often hear from companies who tell me that they don’t want their employees “wasting time” on social media – as if its only purpose is in sucking up time, or providing meaningless diversions. Smart companies recognize that, done well, social media enhances relationships with customers…and builds corporate reputations.
This week, Bloomberg tells the remarkable tale of a really old-school marketer that has figured out how to use social media to turbo-charge their relationship with customers and generate real sales. An amazing lesson that we can all learn from: elephants really CAN tap dance!
Learn how one marketer used social media to turbo-charge their sales…
URC Wants You to Add a Little ESP To Your Installations
URC, the former remote control king that has morphed into a home automation company, announced on Tuesday the MRX-4SEN Sensor Extender and six new sensors that tie into their well-regarded Total Control System. A clever system add-on, the sensors allow a range of system inputs that can trigger actions or Macros.
Learn more about this clever new product from URC… [Read more…] about URC Wants You to Add a Little ESP To Your Installations
Klipsch Hopes to Add a Little Luck to Their Team
Klipsch announced this week that it has signed an endorsement agreement with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to serve as its official brand ambassador. The company says that Luck will bring a “fresh perspective” and “creative inspiration” to the brand.
See more on this new endorsement deal… [Read more…] about Klipsch Hopes to Add a Little Luck to Their Team
CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
This week the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) released what it called key findings from its 2012 and 2013 annual Benchmarking Survey of members. The findings were of 2012 final results and dealer expectations for 2013 and according to the trade association, suggest that the industry has stabilized and is even back to showing moderate growth.
See more on these key industry findings against which you can benchmark your company’s results… [Read more…] about CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
Soundcast Casts Deeper into International Waters
*BREAKING NEWS*
We told you last week about Soundcast Systems, Inc. who has engaged in a bold play to reinvigorate its business with the owners upping their capital investment, bringing in new management, an
d ramping-up both marketing and personnel. When we interviewed President Mike Weaver about his international strategy, he paused and declined to go into great detail. He did, however, vaguely allude to a forthcoming “major announcement” relative to Soundcast’s international plans.
Today, the company revealed what must be the news that Weaver was referring to, as it announced that the company has hired LVZ International, a firm that specializes in international sales.
See more on this new turn-of-events… [Read more…] about Soundcast Casts Deeper into International Waters
Soundcast Casts a New Expanded Role for Itself

Earlier this week during the Audio Associates Dealer Expo held in New Jersey, we had an opportunity to meet with Mike Weaver, President of San Diego-based Soundcast Systems, Inc. Soundcast, a manufacturer of wireless outdoor speakers has been around for quite some time and although it seems to have achieved some recognition for good quality products, the company has been a little sleepy and unremarkable…until recently, that is.
With new money from the founders, a new team of executives, and recently launched new products – Soundcast has definitely cast a new expanded role for itself in the industry…
See more on the dynamic new growth trajectory the company is on, below… [Read more…] about Soundcast Casts a New Expanded Role for Itself
NY Dealer Expo Surprise: Pervasive & Palpable Positivity
New York manufacturers representative company Audio Associates wrapped up their 2013 Dealer Expo on Tuesday and company executives said they were thrilled with the results this year – its largest dealer event ever. Audio Associates “upped the ante” by investing in a major upgrade in facilities for the Expo this year – far exceeding an upgrade the previous year by holding the event at New Jersey’s exclusive Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.
One surprise: even bad weather failed to dampen the palpable positivity of the dealer attendees…even though most were from New York’s ravaged retail market… [Read more…] about NY Dealer Expo Surprise: Pervasive & Palpable Positivity
Wow! Technology Breakthrough Could Help Smartphones Run 10 Times Longer Before Recharge
A chemical company in Japan announced today it may have had a breakthrough discovery in the design and construction of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that could increase their capacity by as much as a factor of 10 times. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. says there is still much more testing to be done, but could potentially begin selling the new technology batteries within the next three to four years.
See more on this surprising announcement out of Japan… [Read more…] about Wow! Technology Breakthrough Could Help Smartphones Run 10 Times Longer Before Recharge
With Expo Just Days Away, NY Rep Announces Addition of Joe Kane Seminar
Audio Associates, a prominent New York Metro and Mid-Atlantic sales representative company, announced that it will offer a seminar from well-known video specialist Joe Kane of Joe Kane Productions to the line-up at its upcoming dealer Expo scheduled for August 12 & 13 at The Seaview Hotel in New Jersey. The news dramatically ups-the-ante of the Expo’s educational sessions and will offer NY Metro and Mid-Atlantic dealers an opportunity to hear the industry’s leading expert on video technologies speak on key trends and topics.




