Strata-gee.com

Strategy in TECH...

You are here: Home / Archives for Strategy

Strategy

CEDIA Board Elections Now Open, But Did Org Violate Its Own Bylaws?

by 5 Comments

CEDIA HQ
CEDIA’s headquarters building in Fishers, Indiana

Why Did an Anonymous Source Call My Attention to the Bylaws?

On Tuesday, CEDIA members received an email from David Weinstein, the well-known VP of Lutron who also serves as the Chairman of CEDIA’s Board of Directors, informing them that the election process to fill vacant seats on the Board of Directors was now open. There are three seats to be filled and Weinstein’s email helpfully/confusingly names just three candidates the Board’s Governance Committee has selected to fill the three open seats. It was the first indicator that something was different with this election as compared to the usual process.

I read this announcement carefully, as only hours before it was distributed I had received a cryptic message from a source exhorting me to find and read “the current Cedia [sic] bylaws.” Something was definitely brewing…

See more on the CEDIA Board elections…

[Read more…] about CEDIA Board Elections Now Open, But Did Org Violate Its Own Bylaws?

What to Expect at CEDIA Expo 2022

by Leave a Comment

CEDIA Expo 2022 will be in the Kay Bailey Hutchinson convention center in Dallas

Finally, after two years without a real show – absolutely no show in 2020, and a very tiny one in 2021 – the industry comes together again for its one big show of the year – the CEDIA Expo 2022. Although not technically post-COVID, at least the situation is improving to the point where the world is beginning a return to something that approaches normal. And that brings us to now, the relaunching of live in-person events like the CEDIA Expo in Dallas, TX. But what can you expect if you head to Dallas and Expo?

See what to expect in Dallas at CEDIA 2022…

[Read more…] about What to Expect at CEDIA Expo 2022

Layoffs Hit Premium Audio Company as It Right-Sizes Ops; To Skip CEDIA Expo

by 1 Comment

Onkyo receiver, part of Premium Audio Company

BREAKING NEWS

Premium Audio Company, a division of VOXX International and operator of brands such as Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Elite, confirmed today that it has instituted a round of layoffs to “right-size” company operations based on current macroeconomic trends. The company has also confirmed that it has decided, for the second year in a row, not to participate in next week’s CEDIA Expo 2022, due to product roadmap cycles.

See more on these Premium Audio Company decisions

[Read more…] about Layoffs Hit Premium Audio Company as It Right-Sizes Ops; To Skip CEDIA Expo

VOXX Int’l Launches E-Commerce Platform Selling Premium Audio Co. Brands

by Leave a Comment

Voxx Int'l home page

VOXX International Corporation (VOXX), owner of Premium Audio Company (PAC) and many other brands, announced this week that it has launched a new e-commerce platform. This new platform is initially being rolled out at Premium Audio Company – the division that operates brands such as Klipsch, Jamo, Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, Elite, Magnat, and Heco.

Learn more on Voxx’s top brands being sold through e-commerce

[Read more…] about VOXX Int’l Launches E-Commerce Platform Selling Premium Audio Co. Brands

Masimo Names Blair Tripodi as Replacement for Former Sound United CEO Kevin Duffy

by Leave a Comment

New Masimo W1 smart watch

Tripodi to Head New Masimo Consumer Division

Masimo, a medical products company that acquired Sound United in February 2022, announced on Monday that it is naming Blair Tripodi as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its new Consumer division. At this time, the Masimo Consumer division consists almost exclusively of the Sound United business. Tripodi moves into the role originally given to former Sound United CEO Kevin Duffy, although Duffy was offered the title of President.

See more on Tripodi’s ascension to COO of Masimo Consumer division

[Read more…] about Masimo Names Blair Tripodi as Replacement for Former Sound United CEO Kevin Duffy

First PrepTECH Grads Hit Dallas Market; Company Seeks More Sponsors

by Leave a Comment

PrepTECH, a for-profit workforce service company that finds, vets, trains, and places new entry-level techs into the custom integration space, has had its first graduating class enter the industry in the Dallas market. A “pilot” or proof-of-concept initiative, the company says it was quite successful and a great learning experience for them – as well as for their participating students and the industry.

Now the company is looking to scale the concept.

Learn more about PrepTECH…

[Read more…] about First PrepTECH Grads Hit Dallas Market; Company Seeks More Sponsors

Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches Investigation

by Leave a Comment

Is Sonos a patent infringer? the U.S. International Trade Commission will find out

The tables have apparently been turned on Sonos, Inc. which now finds itself the subject of an investigation into alleged patent infringement by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The agency decided to launch an investigation of Sonos after receiving a complaint from Alphabet, Inc.’s Google division. There is one simple question: is Sonos a patent infringer?

Learn more about the USITC investigation of Sonos

[Read more…] about Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches Investigation

How You Can Thrive in the High-Performance Stereo Music System Segment

by Leave a Comment

a high-performance stereo music system

A Guest Post by Keith Dowd, Vivid Audio

Is it possible for a speaker company that doesn’t sell architectural speakers, or home cinema speakers, or soundbars, or outdoor landscape speakers – to grow and thrive in today’s market? I would argue that YES, it is very possible. And it is equally possible for dealers to thrive in the segment as well, if they are willing to take just a few simple steps. I make that argument based on my direct experience in the high-performance stereo music system segment in my role as U.S. Brand Director for Vivid Audio.

You might ask…how is this possible? Read on to find out…

[Read more…] about How You Can Thrive in the High-Performance Stereo Music System Segment

Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?

by 2 Comments

Key executives address the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall
Brad Hintze, Dan Feldstein, Dan Brady

This week, Crestron Electronics held a special Supply Chain Town Hall meeting with their dealers to conduct a deep dive into the root causes of their delivery delays, suggest what actions dealers can take, and offer a preview of what to expect in the future. The action was taken, the company says, in the name of transparency – a noble goal. But some dealers are asking what took so long – we are now 2½ years into supply chain issues and things don’t seem to be getting any better at Crestron. Or are they?

See more on the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall meeting

[Read more…] about Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?

Audiophile Hero Mobile Fidelity Hit With Multi-Million Dollar Class Action Lawsuit

by 16 Comments

the cover of a recent Pretenders record reissue from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

Has MoFi Been Pretending?

A lawsuit alleging a variety of deceptive practices by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Inc. (Mobile Fidelity or MoFi), a major player in the premium analog vinyl record community, has been filed by premium vinyl record fan Adam Stiles. Stiles is bringing this case on behalf of himself “…and all others similarly situated against Defendent Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, Inc.”

Those whom he seeks to represent are all customers who purchased MoFi products since 2011 on the basis of the company’s assurance of its products’ pure analog, direct from the master tape, heritage. It turns out that this crucial selling point for the company is…allegedly…in many cases, a lie.

See more on the alleged deception by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

[Read more…] about Audiophile Hero Mobile Fidelity Hit With Multi-Million Dollar Class Action Lawsuit