<April 25, 2012> In a narrative that at times was more daytime soap opera than strategic corporate initiative, Russound has disposed of Colorado vNet for the last time, selling the brand off to Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Anderson. This ends a problematic history with Russound acquiring, closing down, relaunching, and now selling off Colorado vNet in a short on-again-off-again three-year relationship that started in 2009. [Read more…] about With a Final Heave-Ho, Russound Sells Off Colorado vNet
Strategy
U.S. Dept. of Justice Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple & Five Publishers
<April 11, 2012> The Department of Justice (DOJ) today filed an antitrust civil lawsuit against Apple, Inc. and five major book publishers, alleging that the parties had formed an illegal cabal for the purpose of artificially inflating the price of e-books. The publishers charged in the action were Hachette SA, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster. [Read more…] about U.S. Dept. of Justice Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple & Five Publishers
Key Digital Selects AVAD as the Exclusive Distributor of Its Compass Control System
<April 11, 2012> Key Digital Systems, Inc. announced today that it has selected Ingram Micro’s AVAD division as the exclusive residential distributor in the continental U.S. for its Compass Control System. Key’s Compass system is said to be a “plug and play” technology developed to support third party protocols and drivers creating a universe of products from a variety of suppliers they call the Compass Alliance Partners (CAP). [Read more…] about Key Digital Selects AVAD as the Exclusive Distributor of Its Compass Control System
Google Reveals Its Much-Rumored Augmented Reality Glasses
<April 4, 2012> Not content to simply dominate a virtual world, Google has long been rumored to be working on a technology that will allow it to move into the real world. Today, Google revealed the widely-rumored product that it calls “Project Glass.” Project Glass is a technology that uses glasses and micro-projectors to allow it to “augment” your real world by super-imposing images and graphics on the glasses such that the image floats in front of you. [Read more…] about Google Reveals Its Much-Rumored Augmented Reality Glasses
The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
<April 4, 2012> In an upcoming issue of Forbes magazine, entrepreneur Jeff Bezos will be profiled and analyzed as the technology-industry’s leading “philosopher-CEO.” As part of this coverage, Forbes contributor George Anders solicited the rule-breaking CEO’s lessons of leadership. [Read more…] about The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
Skullcandy Turns to Eye Candy to Sell Headphones
<March 21, 2012> Expanding on the concept of what constitutes performance, Skullcandy announced today it was creating a new group of supermodel ambassadors, appropriately called their “Supermodel Crew,” starting with the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl Kate Upton. Consummating a multi-year deal with Upton, Skullcandy says it will have “all-access” to the Sports Illustrated “it girl.” [Read more…] about Skullcandy Turns to Eye Candy to Sell Headphones
Wal-Mart Gets Angry…Birds, That Is
<March 21, 2012> In a unique partnership, Rovio Entertainment, Ltd., creator of the popular Angry Birds game and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. are coming together to offer exclusive Angry Birds clothes, plush toys, and snacks that will include clues to a new version of the game launching later this week called Angry Birds Space. The partnership offers benefits to both Wal-Mart and Rovio…but mostly to those Wal-Mart customers who are Angry Birds fans as items sold in the store will include “Golden Eggsteroid” clues to unlock levels of the new game. [Read more…] about Wal-Mart Gets Angry…Birds, That Is
Onkyo Launches New Tablet – It’s Going to be Big…Really Big
<March 15, 2012> Onkyo Corp. will launch a new tablet computer which will be targeted towards the business market, according to a report in the Nikkei. And in a move sure to set it apart from the new iPad and other tablet designs, Onkyo’s version sports a huge 20-inch screen and weighs over 11 pounds. [Read more…] about Onkyo Launches New Tablet – It’s Going to be Big…Really Big
Vintage Cars Collide with High Performance Entertainment at McIntosh Listening Experience
<March 14, 2012> McIntosh Audio Labs audio products received great acclaim as they competed with vintage motor cars at the McIntosh Listening Experience the company set up at the Concours d’Elegance. This was the second time McIntosh showed their products at the popular vintage motor car show which took place this past weekend at the Ritz-Carleton on Amelia Island, FL. [Read more…] about Vintage Cars Collide with High Performance Entertainment at McIntosh Listening Experience
Select D&M Sales Rep Territories Remain Brand Specific
>>NOTE: UPDATED MARCH 9TH – SEE BOX BELOW<<
<March 7, 2012> Last week, Stratecon’s BEACON broke the news about a major overhaul and consolidation of D&M Holdings’ sales representative and distributor network. Later that day, D&M confirmed our initial report, releasing a statement spelling out the substantive, albeit generally described, changes to their sales network. Now the ALERT has discovered that not all of D&M’s rep territories were merged – in select markets, separate sales rep forces are being maintained. [Read more…] about Select D&M Sales Rep Territories Remain Brand Specific