The new retail buying group Azione Unlimited announced today that VIA International – a new mega-integrator made up of six separate integration companies merged into one – has resigned from all buying groups, effective October 1st. The announcement caught our eye as it was only tangentially about Azione (who lost two members as a result), yet offered assertions about VIA’s actions with no apparent participation from anyone at VIA.
Strategy
TiO – Turn it On – It Just Might Turn YOU On
Perhaps it is a touch poetic that TiO, the new division launched by Automated Control Technology Partners, and the company that emerged from the ruins of Colorado vNet (then 3vNet) – should launch their exciting new home automation system the year that CEDIA returns to Colorado. We’ve seen the system, and even though we have yet to have the opportunity to operate it (it was a non-powered display) we saw enough to strongly advise that you get to know it…and quickly.
In fact, if you are at CEDIA, we would recommend you set your sights on the Tio booth #3628… [Read more…] about TiO – Turn it On – It Just Might Turn YOU On
Gibson Brands Strikes Again – Seeks to Acquire Cakewalk from Roland
Gibson Brands announced this week that it it has signed a letter of intent with Roland Corp. and Cakewalk, Inc. to acquire Cakewalk Inc., a music software company, for an undisclosed amount. The deal is pursuant to the successful negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement.
And with acquisition, Gibson says it will launch a new brand, Tascam Professional Software to sell the Cakewalk product line. See more on this acquisition below… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Strikes Again – Seeks to Acquire Cakewalk from Roland
Ex-Niles Audio President Frank Sterns Appointed VP of Custom Installation at Sony
BREAKING NEWS
We have learned today that former President of Niles Audio, Frank Sterns, is now the Vice President of Custom Installation at Sony Corp. This new appointment, effective this week, marks a significant change for Sterns who has been consulting to a variety of primarily smaller custom integration brands for the last two years.
See more on Sterns appointment at Sony… [Read more…] about Ex-Niles Audio President Frank Sterns Appointed VP of Custom Installation at Sony
Gibson Brands Goes Looking for an Advertising Agency on AMC’s ‘The Pitch’
Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar) announced today that CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will be featured on an episode in season two of AMC’s reality show “The Pitch.” The show chronicles the steps that rival advertising agencies go through to win new clients.
See more on Gibson’s participation on ‘The Pitch’… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Goes Looking for an Advertising Agency on AMC’s ‘The Pitch’
What DOW Electronics Really Gets in Acquiring Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing
In yet further indication of industry consolidation, Tampa, FL-based Dow Electronics announced this week that it would acquire Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing, Inc. of Dania, FL. Shifting Sands (SSSD) is a well-known custom electronics-oriented distributor that was also one of the founding members of the Digital Delivery Group – a national distributor group.
See more on this dramatic development impacting the entire Southeast… [Read more…] about What DOW Electronics Really Gets in Acquiring Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing
Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey
In an announcement considered a surprise by most in the industry – Core Brands announced that it has named Joe Roberts as VP of products and marketing. Roberts will replace Paul Starkey, the former President of Core Brands’ Elan division and, most recently, Senior VP of Marketing for the company.
See more on this surprising announcement, including comments from Starkey… [Read more…] about Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey
Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug
Is Apple the Victim of Unreasonable Expectations? Or Is the Reaction to Incrementalism Justified?
Apple, Inc. announced on Tuesday the long-awaited update of its key iPhone 5 smartphone, only to see its stock pummeled – losing more than 2% of its value on Tuesday and another 5.44% on Wednesday as investors appeared under-whelmed by the announcement. But is this reaction fair? Has Apple lost its innovation mojo? Or is Apple the victim of unreasonable expectations?
See more on the new iPhone 5C and 5S smartphones from the market leader… [Read more…] about Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug
What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
One of the hottest trends in the automobile industry over the last few years is the emergence of a whole new category of vehicle called the “crossover.” A crossover combines the capacious body design of a modified SUV (sport utility vehicle) with the enhanced handling and drivability of a car-based chassis. The result is something that doesn’t exist in either of those independent categories.
Now, Salamander Designs, Ltd. and Leon Speakers have partnered to create their own version of a crossover for our industry as Salamander launches a new line of accessory custom speakers from Leon, perfectly designed to integrate with their cabinets.
See more on this new “crossover” product from Salamander in partnership with Leon… [Read more…] about What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
ICE Cable Has Innovation in the Box
We often think innovation has to be some major technological breakthrough – some amazing new mobile device…or smartwatch…or IP-enabled network controller configurator extender…or such. That’s cool…but we’re firm believers in all forms of innovation – including mini-innovations. And there are opportunities for innovation everywhere. ICE Cable, for example, says it has innovation – in the box!
