Seattle, WA-based AudioControl announced this week that it has completely redesigned its website seen at www.audiocontrol.com. Much more than just a new color scheme or updated fonts – AudioControl rebuilt the entire site from the ground up with all new graphics, navigation, and in-depth information.
Strategy
Sonos/D&M Lawsuit Takes a Surprising & Slightly Dark Turn
BREAKING NEWS
Earlier this month, we reported that D&M Holdings U.S., Inc. (D&M) [and Denon Electronics] had responded to the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Sonos, Inc. (Sonos) this past October by asking the judge to dismiss or throw out the case. Now, in a surprising twist of events, D&M has followed this initial left jab with a right uppercut that may result in Sonos’ attorneys getting knocked out of the case altogether – whether the judge dismisses it or not.
See more on this surprising – and slightly unusual – turn of events… [Read more…] about Sonos/D&M Lawsuit Takes a Surprising & Slightly Dark Turn
Major Changes at Tivoli Audio – DeVesto’s Out; Interim CEO Announced
Big changes are afoot at Tivoli, the quirky audio products manufacturer that had a goal of providing nicely designed, easy-to-use, high quality audio products sold largely direct-to-consumers at reasonable prices. Founded by well-known industry personality Tom DeVesto, Tivoli had, for some time, remarkable success selling an almost retro-designed table radio…at a time when most companies had abandoned that category.
Now, big changes are at play – with DeVesto out and a new Interim CEO appointed by the Tivoli board.
See more on these dramatic changes at niche-player Tivoli… [Read more…] about Major Changes at Tivoli Audio – DeVesto’s Out; Interim CEO Announced
NAD Offers Buyers of Select AVR & Pre/Pro Models a Free 4K Ultra HD Upgrade
NAD Electronics announced today that purchasers of select NAD audio/video receivers (AVRs) and preamp/processors (Pre/Pros) will receive a certificate for a free 4K upgrade module expected to be delivered later this year. The company says this is a $600 value and will ensure that customers can buy these products now with confidence that they won’t be left out of the latest technology revolution, 4K Ultra HD performance.
See more on this new program and learn about the upcoming module… [Read more…] about NAD Offers Buyers of Select AVR & Pre/Pro Models a Free 4K Ultra HD Upgrade
SpringDeck Adds More Rep Firms to National Salesforce
SpringDeck, LLC announced today that it has expanded its national sales force with the addition of five more sales representative firms. The company had previously announced last month their first representative appointment of Aim High Audio.
See more on SpringDeck moving rapidly to set up their national sales network… [Read more…] about SpringDeck Adds More Rep Firms to National Salesforce
Despite Scary Sales Slide, JVC Kenwood Posts Big Profit Gains
JVC Kenwood Corp. released their financial results for the first 9-months of the current fiscal year (ending March 31st) and the company points to a tremendous swing in profits as proof of the positive impact of their painful, multi-year business restructuring efforts. The company completely turned around a negative profit trend – booking an operating profit, an ordinary profit…and a ¥500 million ($4.2 million) improvement to a modest net loss.
See more on these results which occurred despite a continuing sales decline… [Read more…] about Despite Scary Sales Slide, JVC Kenwood Posts Big Profit Gains
After Fighting Idea for Years, Sony is Ready to Dump TV, A/V, & Smartphone Businesses

In a revealing presentation with the press yesterday in Japan, embattled Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai told the media that the company is finally ready to consider alternatives for its TV, A/V, and smartphone businesses, including exiting them. This is a stunning turnaround in strategy, not just for the inventor of the Trinitron picture tube, but for Hirai himself who had previously identified their TV and smartphone businesses as a core categories when he first took over as CEO in 2012.
See more on Sony’s strategy to turn around their business…which has many skeptics… [Read more…] about After Fighting Idea for Years, Sony is Ready to Dump TV, A/V, & Smartphone Businesses
7 Trends That Will Influence Marketing in 2015
From The Stratecon Group
Marketing is changing in fundamental ways. That is not a theory…that is a fact. And if you’re still marketing your goods and services the way you always have – using traditional interruption marketing tools & agencies…you are losing ground to more savvy competitors who have embraced the new tools and techniques of engagement marketing.
AdAge.com recently published an article called Seven B-To-B Marketing Trends That Will Shape 2015, that agrees with our premise of the changing nature of marketing…and highlights trends taking place in the market now…
See more about the 7 trends in marketing you should be taking advantage of now… [Read more…] about 7 Trends That Will Influence Marketing in 2015
D&M Fires Back – Asks Judge to Throw Out Sonos Lawsuit
BREAKING NEWS
D&M Holdings fired back at Sonos this week, filing papers with the United States District Court asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit launched against them by Sonos last October alleging patent infringement. Saying that Sonos’ complaints, both the original and a later-amended one, “fail to meet the pleading requirements” established by the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the U.S. District Court.
Likely not the response that Sonos was hoping for, D&M has bounced the case back to the judge for an immediate ruling.
D&M’s response included some interesting details… [Read more…] about D&M Fires Back – Asks Judge to Throw Out Sonos Lawsuit
Local TV Crew Tracks Mysterious Van; Traces It to Apple
A San Francisco TV station KPIX news crew inadvertently ran across a mysterious blue minivan with an odd assortment of cameras and technology affixed to the top. The purpose of this van was not obvious…nor was the owner, as it was completely unmarked. But the intrepid KPIX reporters traced the van and discovered it was leased to…Apple.




