The Nikkei Reported today that both Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. have further reduced their original forecast for fiscal year 2012 flat-panel HDTV sales in the wake of a worldwide slowdown in demand. The move surprised analysts, as both companies had forecast weaker demand as part of their initial 2012 forecast. But, as we’ve been reporting for months, sales of flat-panel TVs in Japan’s domestic market have fallen off a cliff as previous government rebate programs meant to encourage consumers to switch to a new digital TV system, as well as to more energy-efficient TVs and appliances, came to an end. Now, manufacturers are experiencing slack demand around the world, including a slowdown in the market they had been counting on to provide substantial growth – China. [Read more…] about After Surprising Analysts with Initial Downgraded 2012 TV Sales Forecast, Sony & Sharp Stun Again with Deeper Cuts
Strategy
3vNet Announces New CB1 Lighting & Control Module and Open Sales Territories
3vNet, the new home automation company that succeeded Colorado vNet, announced last week one of the first products to be produced by the new company – then CB1 Control Bridge. The company has also let strata-GEE.com know which sales territories they have open and in which they are interested in finding good sales representative firms with whom to work. [Read more…] about 3vNet Announces New CB1 Lighting & Control Module and Open Sales Territories
Gibson Guitar Admits It Broke the Law; Settles with DOJ to Avoid Criminal Prosecution
Gibson Guitar Corp., a manufacturer of musical instruments and significant shareholder in Onkyo Corp. and majority owner of Onkyo USA, has entered into a “Criminal Enforcement Agreement” with the U.S. Department of Justice settling matters and circumstances surrounding government allegations of their illegal purchase and importation of woods and materials protected by environmental regulations and laws. As part of their settlement, Gibson admits the government’s allegations are true, agrees to pay a penalty of $300,000, agrees to an additional “community service” payment of $50,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, implements a strict compliance program (approved by DOJ enforcers) to prevent future violations, and relinquishes claim to more than $260,000 worth of government-seized illegally imported materials. [Read more…] about Gibson Guitar Admits It Broke the Law; Settles with DOJ to Avoid Criminal Prosecution
Did AudioXpert’s Launch Succeed in ‘Exceeding Expectations’ as Their Tag Line Promises?
AudioXperts
Last month, we reported on the pre-launch of a new brand…the rather boldly named AudioXperts – founded by well-known industry veteran, Eli Harary and the team of sales, marketing, engineering, and product specialists he assembled. This pre-launch announcement was then followed-up by an official launch at a press event in Manhattan on Tuesday of this week. For a lot of reasons, this was a notable event – not the least of which is that there are very few new companies launching in the current incredibly difficult industry environment. But this “birth of a brand” also – for a number of reasons – set a very high bar for expectations related to its launch, which drew a substantial press contingent.
Did AudioXperts live up to their “exceeding expectations” tag line?… [Read more…] about Did AudioXpert’s Launch Succeed in ‘Exceeding Expectations’ as Their Tag Line Promises?
Best Buy Founder Schulze Rounds Up the Old Gang for One Last Try
Bloomberg News reported on Monday that the Best Buy Co. board of directors has received a letter with an offer from company founder and former chairman Richard Schulze to acquire all outstanding shares of the company stock and take it private. Schulze is said to have the support of at least two private equity companies and an investment bank that is confident it can arrange adequate financing. Schulze also says several former Best Buy executives are interested in joining him in the process of reinvigorating the company.
Analysts are skeptical… [Read more…] about Best Buy Founder Schulze Rounds Up the Old Gang for One Last Try
Grace Motif’s John Caldwell to Handle U.S. Sales for Indy Audio Labs’ Acurus & Aragon Brands
In an association that is somewhat unique in our industry, Indy Audio Labs, LLC, (IAL) the company that manufacturers the Acurus & Aragon high-end brands, has hired John Caldwell, founder and CEO of Grace Motif to handle sales for the IAL brands. Interestingly, they have awarded Caldwell the title of Vice President of Sales for IAL while he retains his title and functions at Grace Motif. [Read more…] about Grace Motif’s John Caldwell to Handle U.S. Sales for Indy Audio Labs’ Acurus & Aragon Brands
3vNet Puts on a Fresh Face – Launches New Website
3vNet – formerly Colorado vNet – has launched an all-new website putting a fresh face on the newly independent company’s Internet presence. The company, once part of Russound and with which it had an often troubled relationship, was purchased from Russound by its Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mike Anderson in April of this year. [Read more…] about 3vNet Puts on a Fresh Face – Launches New Website
Velodyne Hires Major Retail Executive to Guide their Direct-to-Consumer Model
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc. announced today that it has hired George Manlove – formerly of Vanns, Inc. – as its Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing. Manlove is a very high-profile executive best known for his 26-year tenure as President and CEO of Vann’s, Inc., a Montana-based traditional bricks-and-mortar and Internet retailer. Manlove also served as chairman of the Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group), a national retailer buying group. [Read more…] about Velodyne Hires Major Retail Executive to Guide their Direct-to-Consumer Model
After 62 Years, New Jersey’s M. Rothman & Company Sold to Z. Reiss
>BREAKING NEWS<
In news that is likely yet another indicator of the depths of the struggles of the consumer electronics industry, M. Rothman & Company, Inc. – a large consumer electronics distributor based in Ramsey, New Jersey and a one-time powerhouse supplier of a wide variety of electronics and appliances for the entire New York Metropolitan marketplace, has been sold to Z. Reiss & Associates. While rumors have been circulating about Rothman for some weeks – we have only now been able to confirm the company is in fact been sold to another New York-based distributor. [Read more…] about After 62 Years, New Jersey’s M. Rothman & Company Sold to Z. Reiss
Does the Headphone Market Know No Bounds? MartinLogan Joins the Fun with New Earbuds
MartinLogan, well-known in the high-end audio community as a manufacturer of large, expensive electrostatic line source loudspeakers, announced this week that it is entering the headphone market with a new in-ear headphone called the Mikros 70. According to MartinLogan, these in-ear headphones were designed by their engineering team – presumably as compared to other companies who buy off-the-shelf from China and stamp their logos on them.
