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Ube Launches Indiegogo Campaign to Crowdfund the Manufacture of 10,000 Wi-Fi Smart Dimmers

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Ube_logo_largeStart-up Ube, the new company founded by former CEDIA CEO Utz Baldwin and partners, offers an all-new mobile device-optimized, cloud-based home control technology bringing new power – and new simplicity – to the masses. This new technology could be a highly disruptive game changer with a re-conceived business model that just might gut the heart of the highly lucrative residential systems installer market. Or not…

Today, Ube [pronounced YOU-bee] announced their first major step forward in the wake of their stunning technology show win at last fall’s DEMO 2012 in which the company received the People’s Choice Award earning them $1 million in media from the show’s promoter. Ube has begun a campaign on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo to raise funds so that the company can manufacturer their first 10,000 Wi-Fi smart dimmers. The company also announced a BETA test program open to residential A/V electronics installers and integrators.

See more on this fascinating first product Ube is launching on Indiegogo…and on the special “BETA” test program for integrators and installers… [Read more…] about Ube Launches Indiegogo Campaign to Crowdfund the Manufacture of 10,000 Wi-Fi Smart Dimmers

Fierce Competition by Ads Challenge the Game for Super Bowl Viewer Attention

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Graphic of Super Bowl LogoSince this is a blog dedicated to marketing strategy, we would be remiss if we failed to comment on last week’s Super Bowl – which has become almost as important to advertisers as it is to the NFL. With advertisers spending an average of $4.0 million for a 30-second spot this year (oh yeah that’s an average, some paid more), you would expect we would see that best that marketers could muster. And, for the most part, you’d be right.

See the Top 10 Super Bowl Ads, as rated by CONSUMERS here… [Read more…] about Fierce Competition by Ads Challenge the Game for Super Bowl Viewer Attention

Bob Brown Joins Thiel as Interim COO and Board Member

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Photo of Bob BrownIndustry veteran Bob Brown, known to many from his long tenure as President at Lenbrook America, has joined Thiel Audio as a member of their board of directors. Brown will also, effective immediately, begin serving as the company’s interim Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Thiel, as we recently reported, is in the middle of an exciting revival as the result of its recent purchase by a consortium of Tennessee investors led by current CEO Bill Thomas.

See more on this interesting new development for Thiel… [Read more…] about Bob Brown Joins Thiel as Interim COO and Board Member

Sony Hires Army of 400 Experts to Send to U.S. Retailers to Sell Sony TVs

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Sony logo on screen at CES press presentationTrapped by their own newly strengthened mandated pricing programs, and a commitment to grow sales profitably, Sony Corp. has resorted to deploying a wave of 400 company employees into the field to sell Sony televisions at U.S. retailers. The move is said to be a way to try to stimulate Sony TV sales without resorting to retail discounting.

Smart strategy? Or is hiring 400 TV ‘experts’ really just thinly veiled discounting?… [Read more…] about Sony Hires Army of 400 Experts to Send to U.S. Retailers to Sell Sony TVs

While Others Go Small, Panasonic Goes Big with 20-inch Tablet

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Graphic of Panasonic LogoFor those of you who were at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month: Did you see the new tablet introduced by Panasonic? Featured during the Panasonic press conference as an example of Panasonic’s innovation, the company showed a new tablet computer launching it into the tablet computer fray which is dominated by the Apple iPad…with a rapidly growing Samsung with its Galaxy Note and Tab lines nipping at its heels.

But does this new Panasonic tablet have a market?… [Read more…] about While Others Go Small, Panasonic Goes Big with 20-inch Tablet

Is It Time to Start a Deathwatch on the Industry’s Annual CES?

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strata-GEE's Show Report LogoIt is now late January and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is well into our rear-view mirror. Yes, as in other years, there has been a flood of publicity and tons of articles on gadgets introduced at the show. The show’s promoter, the CEA, has already crowed about the event being the biggest ever and all seems well. Or is it?

See the warning signs that the CEA seems to be ignoring… [Read more…] about Is It Time to Start a Deathwatch on the Industry’s Annual CES?

In Wake of Weak iPhone 5 Sales, Apple Cuts Parts Orders by 50%

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Apple, Inc. LogoFrom the looks of it, Apple’s iPhone 5 launch may have been a bit of a dud. Several news services such as Bloomberg News and the Nikkei in Japan are reporting that the company has cut orders to its suppliers for parts by as much as 50%. This moves follows a report that the company quietly cut production schedules on the iPhone 5 last month by 30% and suggests that the latest incarnation of iPhone is selling poorly – or at least below expectations based on initial order levels.

See more about this dramatic turn of events for a critical product for Apple… [Read more…] about In Wake of Weak iPhone 5 Sales, Apple Cuts Parts Orders by 50%

In a Surprise Move – Sharp is Negotiating to Merge It’s Foundering TV Operations with China’s Lenovo

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 BREAKING NEWS

Photo of Sharp DisplayThe Nikkei is reporting today that Sharp Corp., the struggling Japanese flat-panel TV manufacturer, is in the final stages of negotiations to merge its television division with China’s largest personal computer manufacturer – Lenovo Group, Ltd. If successful, Lenovo could leapfrog the competition to become one of the largest television manufacturers in the world.

See more on this surprise announcement out of Japan… [Read more…] about In a Surprise Move – Sharp is Negotiating to Merge It’s Foundering TV Operations with China’s Lenovo

NuTech Group Sheds Light on a New Business Opportunity for Mid-Atlantic Dealers

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Qmotion LogoMontgomeryville, PA-based NuTech Group, a leading independent sales representative company has partnered with Qmotion, a manufacturer of automated window shades, to offer their line to Mid-Atlantic region dealers. The partnership takes effect immediately.

Learn more about this new partnership… [Read more…] about NuTech Group Sheds Light on a New Business Opportunity for Mid-Atlantic Dealers

Ever-Optimistic, At CES 2013 the CEA Releases New Growth Estimates for Industry

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Photo of CEA/CES logoEvery year at the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV, the organization releases new marketing data including forecasts about the future growth of the industry. According to the trade group, revenues for the electronics industry will reach $209.6 billion in 2013 – another new record and well over last years $204 billion level.

Even among participating companies in the CEA’s long-running marketing data collection program, there are often chuckles and whispered question marks about the accuracy of the aggregated forecasts. With one exception (2009), the CEA is famous for releasing optimistic growth forecasts that only go one way – up.

See what segments the CEA says you should be in, if you want big growth in 2013… [Read more…] about Ever-Optimistic, At CES 2013 the CEA Releases New Growth Estimates for Industry