Josh.ai, the high-end voice control solution that created quite a buzz at last year’s CEDIA show, announced today that it is launching its first hardware product, Josh Micro. Josh Micro includes a home control processor, far-field microphone array, and a superior user interface in a small package that “fits in the palm of your hand.” It also disconnects Josh.ai from the need to talk into your smartphone…or to a nearby Amazon Echo.
Brands
Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
Moody’s Hits Gibson Brands with Another Credit Downgrade
Moody’s Investors Service, one of the largest credit rating services in the world, has downgraded the credit rating for Gibson Brands, the Nashville-based parent of Gibson Guitar, Onkyo, Teac, KRK, Philips, Stanton and more. Moody’s has set their rating on Gibson Brands debt to Caa3, down one step from Caa2.
The move caused Wall Street investment analyst The Street to raise the specter of the possibility of Gibson Brands defaulting on their debt.
See why Moody’s says the Gibson Brands situation is unsustainable… [Read more…] about Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
New CEO Outlines a New Future for the 40-Year Old Brand
You practically need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have come and gone from Nashville-based Thiel Audio. The specialty speaker company has had five CEOs in four years – leading to an unending series of disjointed actions from a disconnected group of high-powered executives, each with their own vision of where to take the company.
Now it is new Thiel CEO Elyse McKenna’s turn…and she has a plan… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
RTI Appoints Returning Clint Forberg Central Regional Biz Manager
Control and home automation manufacturer RTI announced this week that former employee Clint Forberg is returning to the company as its Central U.S. Regional Business Manager. Earlier in his career, Forberg did a nine year stint at RTI as Director of Training and Eastern U.S. Sales Manager.
Learn more about Forberg’s return to RTI… [Read more…] about RTI Appoints Returning Clint Forberg Central Regional Biz Manager
They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote
CEDIA announced today that like last year, Amazon will offer a sponsored keynote presentation at the upcoming CEDIA 2017 show in San Diego. The Amazon keynote will take place on Thursday, September 7, from 2:00PM – 3:00PM in the San Diego Convention Center Ballroom 20A.
See more on this Amazon CEDIA keynote… [Read more…] about They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote
Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era
Lenbrook International announced this week a major transition in their management team in what it said was a carefully thought-out “succession plan.” Lenbrook, parent company to the Bluesound, NAD, and PSB brands, will restructure their senior management team in the wake of a form of retirement of two of its most prominent leaders – Lenbrook Americas President & CEO Dean Miller; and Chief Brand Officer John Banks. It is not an overstatement to call this the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.
See more on this change at Lenbrook… [Read more…] about Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era
Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W
BREAKING NEWS
Dana Innovations announced this morning that it has appointed two new regional sales managers – Marc Schnoll and Dan Dusek. Both Schnoll and Dusek come to Dana Innovations from Bowers & Wilkins.
See more on these new Dana Innovations appointments… [Read more…] about Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W
Sales Schism – Multiple B&W Regional Managers Resign
BREAKING NEWS
Multiple sources have confirmed to us that several B&W regional managers have resigned from their positions with the company this week. In a move that one source indicated has been coming since the moment the company terminated President Doug Henderson, the regional managers all turned in their voluntary resignations in the same week.
See more on this new development at B&W… [Read more…] about Sales Schism – Multiple B&W Regional Managers Resign
Allnet Distributing Moves into Minnesota
Chicago, IL-based Allnet Distributing announced recently that it is opening an all-new location in Minneapolis, MN in September. It is the fourth warehouse location, as the custom integration-focused distributor continues to expand its reach throughout the Midwest geographic region.
See more on this latest expansion by Allnet Distributing… [Read more…] about Allnet Distributing Moves into Minnesota
Savant Acquires Artison. The Question is…Why?
Savant Systems announced this week that it has purchased Artison, a specialty audio manufacturer of speaker systems. The company said that “Artison has earned a reputation for delivering…solutions that merge elegant, unobtrusive aesthetics with exceptionally detailed sound quality…” Is this a bold new strategy for Savant? Or just a reaction to the Control4/Triad acquisition?
