Strategy in TECH...
Azione Unlimited, part of the Nationwide Marketing Group family of dealer buying groups, announced on Wednesday that it was naming well-known Azione executive Patrick McCarthy as Interim Director. McCarthy steps in as the operational head of the organization – the position recently vacated by the retiring Richard Glikes, the founder of Azione Unlimited.
At the recent 2024 Oasys Summit, I had the opportunity to meet with top Nationwide Marketing Group executives who were all directly involved in the birth of the Oasys Residential Technology Group, as well as the greater strategy of the Nationwide Drive to 1,000 initiative. I spoke with Dean Sottile, Andy Orozco, and Hank Alexander, each of whom offered interesting insights and perspectives on the progress of this grand adventure they have collectively embarked upon.
Draper at Home, a division of Draper, Inc., announced this week that it has appointed a National Director of CI (custom integration), a new role at the company. The company said it created the new position in response to the continuing growth in Draper’s custom integration business.
Frank Sterns, a well-known and highly regarded (some would say renowned) industry executive, has been retained to consult on custom integration matters with Nationwide Marketing Group. Clearly a sign of just how serious the large diversified Nationwide organization is about targeting custom integration, Sterns brings a wealth of Grade A experience as a leader in the custom integration space.
Chris Kane, long-time key executive at AudioControl has been promoted to Vice President of North American Residential Sales for AVPro Global. Sioux Falls, SD-based AVPro Global is a rapidly expanding manufacturer and distributor of top custom integration brands, such as AudioControl, AVPro Edge, Bullet Train, Murideo, and Then Audio.
Change continues to come fast at Masimo Corporation as well-known and respected Brand President and General Manager Joel Sietsema announced on Tuesday that he was no longer with Masimo Consumer, the audio division of the company. This announcement, coming as it did without warning or explanation, raised a lot of eyebrows around the industry – with many reaching out to Strata-gee seeking context.
AVPro Global Holdings, LLC, parent company to growing technology brands such as AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, Murideo, and Then Audio, announced today that it has named well-known industry executive Mike “Sparky” Detmer as its Chief Operating Officer. Detmar is well known to many in custom integration for his long stint at Niles Audio, part of Nortek, and once a pillar brand for many integrators across the country.
Now Detmer joins AVPro Global to help them scale their operations in support of their fast-growing residential and commercial integrator solutions business.
Southern California-based manufacturer sales representative firm AV Partners has added a well-known industry veteran to its team, as well as a trio of leading AV brands to its line card in a significant expansion of the organization. A respected firm with a full team covering a large multi-state territory that specializes in representing top custom integration brands, AV Partners brings a unique mix of capabilities, experience, and creativity to bear for the benefit of all of their dealers.
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.
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.
