“It’s been tremendous,” declared Origin CEO Jeremy Burkhardt with his typical over-the-top enthusiasm, when asked how his nearly one-year old company is doing since its launch at the 2014 CEDIA Expo. “I’ve been on the road for 3-weeks a month for the last 12-months.” And apparently, from what Burkhardt tells us, loving every single minute of it.
Management
Dave Donald Leaves Origin; Takes Position at Kaleidescape
BREAKING NEWS
Well-known industry executive Dave Donald has left Origin Acoustics where he was Vice President of Marketing to take a position at media center manufacturer Kaleidescape. Donald left Origin approximately two weeks ago and oddly, neither company has offered any type of official announcement. We first heard about this situation from multiple sources and confirmed it with both Origin and Mr. Donald.
See more on this somewhat surprising announcement… [Read more…] about Dave Donald Leaves Origin; Takes Position at Kaleidescape
On Controls Names Director of Control
On Controls, the cloud-based home automation solutions for integrators, announced today that it has named Jeffrey Skalny to Director of Control. In this role, Skalny will report to the company’s CEO directly and will be based out of On Controls Detroit, MI headquarters location.
Who is Skalny and what exactly will he be doing for On Controls? Read on… [Read more…] about On Controls Names Director of Control
Proxy Adviser Tells Japanese Investors to Vote Out CEOs at Sony & Sharp
We live in interesting times! In a news report out of Japan that is, shall we say, unusual – proxy investment advisory firm ISS is recommending that Japanese shareholders vote against the reelection of the top executives at both Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. at upcoming annual shareholders meeting for the firms. Coming from the land of consensus and support for local brands, this news is quite surprising.
See more on ISS’s recommendation & the reason they suggest these execs must go… [Read more…] about Proxy Adviser Tells Japanese Investors to Vote Out CEOs at Sony & Sharp
Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster
BREAKING NEWS
Monster’s Noel Lee Talks to Us About Latest Lawsuit Developments
As many regular readers know, Strata-gee has been closely following the litigation between Monster, LLC and Beats Electronics, LLC. Although the matter is really just getting started, it appears to be getting really ugly, really quickly. Now we have learned that Apple, Inc. has taken several actions that, according to Monster CEO Noel Lee (who is known as the Head Monster), are pure retaliation over this lawsuit – even though Monster did not sue Apple.
See more on Apple’s actions against Monster that it says are retaliatory… [Read more…] about Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster
Report: Job Cuts at Sharp are Much Deeper & More Painful than Expected
BREAKING NEWS
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” This old saying will likely resonate with many Sharp Corp. employees who are about to learn that the company is planning major job cuts – far greater than originally rumored – as it tries to turn around its struggling operations and cut its losses. The company’s management – whether voluntarily or forced by their banks – seem to be finally ready to take the drastic steps necessary to make a meaningful change at the company.
See how many employees are about to lose their jobs and other measures being taken… [Read more…] about Report: Job Cuts at Sharp are Much Deeper & More Painful than Expected
Onkyo Sets New Global Strategy Focused On Portables & Headphones
Osaka, Japan-based Onkyo Corporation says it has set a new global growth strategy that will focus on launching portable music players and headphones, thanks largely to resources it received in its acquisition of Pioneer’s home AV division. In an interview appearing in Japanese media, Onkyo President Munenori Otsuki said the world is entering “the age of portable music players.”
See more on this surprising shift of direction from a significant audio industry player… [Read more…] about Onkyo Sets New Global Strategy Focused On Portables & Headphones
Hey Retailers – Forget the Millennials, Follow the Money
New data from market researcher Forrester Research Inc. suggests that retailers should forget about trying to attract millennials or other younger shoppers and instead shift gears to reach out to baby boomers. Why? Quite simply, that’s where the money is.
See the interesting results from this new research on buyer trends… [Read more…] about Hey Retailers – Forget the Millennials, Follow the Money
Toshiba Launches Investigation into ‘Possible Problems’ with Its Accounting
Stock Hit With Largest 1-Day Loss in More Than a Year
Toshiba Corp. announced in Japan that it will appoint a committee to investigate what it calls “possible problems” with its accounting. Investors in Japan responded by hitting the company’s stock with its largest one-day drop in more than a year – dropping the value of its stock almost 5%.
See more on just what this probe is all about… [Read more…] about Toshiba Launches Investigation into ‘Possible Problems’ with Its Accounting
IBM to Invest $3 Billion to Launch ‘Internet of Things’ Unit
Momentum Building in Emerging IoT Market
