Leading consumer speaker brand Klipsch announced this week that it is partnering with Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 as the official home speakers for the series which launched on Disney+ Wednesday. If you have kids, you likely know the popularity of the X-Men franchise, which with this new series looks to trade on that popularity to the benefit of both partners.
News
Home Construction Looks to Rebound in 2024; Housing Starts & Builder Sentiment Up
The overall housing market has been an economic laggard as the country has seen its economy rebound in the post-pandemic era. The reason for this is primarily due to an unusual combination of high interest rates AND high home prices AND limited available inventory of homes for sale. It is a triple witching that has bedeviled the housing industry in the post-pandemic era.
But is housing about to turn up?
See how the latest housing starts data is a positive sign for home construction
[Read more…] about Home Construction Looks to Rebound in 2024; Housing Starts & Builder Sentiment UpParasound CEO: Making Progress, But Wait Until You See What’s Coming
Company has Moved Its Headquarters to Las Vegas
Recently, Parasound conducted another online Town Hall meeting for dealers interested in learning more about the brand’s progress under the leadership of new owner, CEO David Sheriff. Held via Microsoft Teams on a recent Saturday to facilitate participation, it lasted an impressive 1¾ hours long with the majority of all participant questions answered.
See what CEO David Sheriff shared with Town Hall participants
[Read more…] about Parasound CEO: Making Progress, But Wait Until You See What’s ComingEmerald, Owner of CEDIA Expo & CE Pro, Says 2023 Revenues Rise 17% but Profits Drop 102%
Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE: EEX), the parent company of Emerald Expositions, one of the country’s largest B2B tradeshow exposition companies, reported its Fiscal 2023 fourth quarter and full-year results. The results were mixed with full-year revenues growing by 17.5% compared to Fiscal 2022, but profits collapsing by 102% to a Net Loss.
Company management expressed extreme optimism on a call with financial analysts, but its stock value dropped dramatically the day it released these numbers.
Learn more about the Emerald Holding results for Fiscal 2023
[Read more…] about Emerald, Owner of CEDIA Expo & CE Pro, Says 2023 Revenues Rise 17% but Profits Drop 102%Streaming Service Subscriber Growth in U.S. Dropped by Half in 2023
In what may be another sign of the post-pandemic blues, data published this week by research firm Antenna showed that growth in streaming service subscriptions in the U.S. dropped by 50% in 2023. Some are saying the boom in streaming is over…or could it be an over-adjustment that will correct itself and return to growth again soon?
See more on what’s happening with streaming service subscriptions
[Read more…] about Streaming Service Subscriber Growth in U.S. Dropped by Half in 2023Josh.ai Continues Expansion to Full-Control Provider as Voice Recedes
This week, Josh.ai held a significant launch of several new products, app improvements, and new integrations as it continues its journey from a voice interface into a full system control provider. While a voice update was part of this announcement, it felt deemphasized as the company pursued a greater role in the industry as a full control solution provider by launching a richer app user experience (UX), the introduction of a touch panel interface, and a round of new integrations.
See more on the Josh.ai announcements
[Read more…] about Josh.ai Continues Expansion to Full-Control Provider as Voice RecedesAnalog Cassette Tape is Mounting a Comeback
The Nikkei is reporting a robust revival in Japan of sales of prerecorded analog cassette tapes, a format once thought dead and gone. Now, the report says, the humble cassette tape “is experiencing a renaissance, charming a new generation of music enthusiasts with its nostalgic appearance and distinctly warm and rich sound.”
First vinyl and now cassettes, what’s going on?
[Read more…] about Analog Cassette Tape is Mounting a ComebackWalmart to Acquire Vizio for $2.3B; Here’s Why This Deal is Significant
Walmart announced Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire Vizio, the high-value TV maker, for $11.50/share in an all-cash deal worth a total of $2.3 billion. Walmart announced the acquisition as part of its highly positive and optimistic presentation of the retailer’s fourth-quarter earnings. Walmart stock popped on the earnings report, more encouraged by its forward optimism of more growth rather than on the acquisition itself.
But Walmart plans to have this acquisition drive profit growth going forward.
Learn more on Walmart acquiring Vizio, including what is significant about it
[Read more…] about Walmart to Acquire Vizio for $2.3B; Here’s Why This Deal is SignificantAudioControl Announces Appointment of Two New Rep Firms in the Midwest
AudioControl announced on Thursday that it has appointed two well-known and respected manufacturer sales representative firms to represent the line in two upper Midwest regions. AudioControl, like many manufacturers, has long relied on manufacturer sales reps to offer superlative sales and support functions to its dealers on a local level.
See who AudioControl has selected to represent it in the Midwest
[Read more…] about AudioControl Announces Appointment of Two New Rep Firms in the MidwestRichard Glikes Exits Azione Unlimited; Retains Chairman Emeritus Title
Azione Unlimited, a division of Nationwide Marketing Group, announced this week that its founder, president, and chief creative officer Richard Glikes has exited the custom integration buying group, effective February 1. Glikes has been running the show at Azione for twelve years now and the group says he will still be involved in providing “strategic guidance” on an ongoing basis as Chairman Emeritus, but has withdrawn from day-to-day operations.