Founded in 1894, it is a mark of their long-term brand success that Gibson has become such a large and far-flung international organization. In a cursory review of documents submitted to the court as part of their bankruptcy filing shows, legendary performers such as Muddy Waters, BB King, Elvis Presley, Pete Townsend, Keith Richards, Duane Allman, Elvis Costello, Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Dave Grohl, Joe Bonamassa all used various Gibson products that, in some cases, became a signature of that performer. And yes, the bankruptcy filing promotes these iconic names.
Brands
Gibson Brands Files for Bankruptcy
BREAKING NEWS
Filing Pre-Negotiated with Bondholders, CEO & Pres Stay thru Transition
Gibson Brands Inc. announced today that it has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 denotes the company plans a reorganization and the company says it has reached an agreement with certain existing bondholders called a “Restructuring Support Agreement.” This agreement is with holders of more than 69.0% of the debt due in 2018
See more on this anticipated development… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Files for Bankruptcy
Amazon’s Latest Secret Project Could Change Our World
Can Amazon Scoop the Industry a Second Time?
Amazon has a super secret project that just might change the world…again. I have long said that the brilliance of Amazon’s Alexa-based Echo and Dot devices comes from their realization that voice control belonged in the home. While Apple (Siri) and Google (OK Google) digital voice assistants in the past were viewed predominantly as a hands-free voice assist for when you’re driving – Amazon took a different route…right into the American living room. Brilliant, and now Google and Apple are playing “catch up.”
Now we learn that there’s a new project in Amazon’s secretive Lab126 that could once again change our world.
See what we’ve learned about Amazon’s secret project… [Read more…] about Amazon’s Latest Secret Project Could Change Our World
Surprise Look at Nest Numbers: Smaller & Poorer
Look Quickly, You Likely Won’t Ever See These Numbers Again
For the first time, because of a change in Google’s accounting, we get a look at the real financial numbers of Nest and analysts are truly surprised. It turns out, according to a report by Recode, that Nest is both smaller than many thought, and is losing a lot of money on an operating basis – so much so that it appears that any hope of profitability is far off in the future…if at all.
See what we’ve learned about Nest’s true operating financial results… [Read more…] about Surprise Look at Nest Numbers: Smaller & Poorer
A Gibson Pile-On: Now Hit With a $50 Million Lawsuit
Gibson Brands CEO Henry Juszkiewicz has been very busy lately as he scrambles to arrange a $550 million bailout package in a desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy for the storied brand. But he’s about to get a little busier as one of Gibson Guitar’s vendors, Tronical of Hamburg, Germany, sues the company for $50 million it says it is owed.
So now Tronical gets in line behind Gibson bondholders seeking payment… [Read more…] about A Gibson Pile-On: Now Hit With a $50 Million Lawsuit
TCL Multimedia Obtains Global Rights to Onkyo Brand
In an announcement out of Hong Kong and reported on by Bloomberg News and others, TCL Multimedia, the large Chinese manufacturer of mostly inexpensive televisions, has announced it has obtained the rights to the Onkyo brand name which it intends to use to create Smart AV products. The company says it has the rights to the Onkyo brand globally, in all markets except Japan.
See more on what we know about this TCL Multimedia and Onkyo partnership… [Read more…] about TCL Multimedia Obtains Global Rights to Onkyo Brand
Options Narrowing as Gibson & KKR Talks Fail
We learned last week that talks between Gibson Brands and deal making king KKR Credit Advisors fell apart in a dispute over “the appropriate consideration for the various parties involved,” according to a statement from Gibson Brands. As yet another bail-out opportunity slips by them, Gibson Brands sees their options narrowing, with an August deadline on a required financial restructuring of more than $500 million of debt rapidly approaching.
See more on this dire situation at Gibson Brands… [Read more…] about Options Narrowing as Gibson & KKR Talks Fail
Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
BREAKING NEWS
SnapAV announced today that it has partnered with lighting kingpin Lutron to offer a special version of their RA2 Select repeater, part of an entire RA2 Select system, that has been natively integrated into SnapAV’s OvrC remote management system. The agreement between the two of them is said to have been taken with the goal of “expanding the market for smart lighting control.”
See more on this new partnership between Lutron and SnapAV… [Read more…] about Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
Polls: Facebook Faces a Major Trust Crisis
Stunning Reversal for Once-Loved FANG Brand
Facebook finds themselves square in the middle of a political and public relations fire storm, as news of the firms connection to Cambridge Analytica and the harvesting of the personal data on at least 50 million Facebook users, including perhaps you and I, have recently received a lot of news coverage. Now word comes via two new polls that the company’s brand has taken a serious hit in the eyes of their users and former fans.
See more on these latest polls about Facebook from Reuters/Ipsos… [Read more…] about Polls: Facebook Faces a Major Trust Crisis
LumaStream is a Star…An Energy Star, That Is
LumaStream announced today that they have achieved Energy Star certification on select models, a notable milestone for the young provider of low-voltage LED lighting solutions. The company says their 481-485 series architectural downlights used with the Trinity 12 450mA DMX power supply were thoroughly tested and awarded the Energy Star certification – a program that is popular with many energy-conscious consumers today.