Monster, Inc. (formerly Monster Cable) announced this week that it is launching its first ever television ad during the NBC broadcast of Super Bowl LII this Sunday, February 4. Usually the biggest TV event of the year, Super Bowl commands a king’s ransom in fees for advertisers, reportedly $5 million for a 30-second spot according to Sports Illustrated. Monsters ad? A full 60-second spot.
Marketing
Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
A News Story and a Metaphor
CTA’s marketing message for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year was “Whoa!” While this is a reference to surprising innovations, it now appears that the biggest Whoa! to emerge from CES was a power blackout that hit the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon. Social media was buzzing and many show attendees posted images of the darkened halls with some of the biggest booths – Samsung, Panasonic – quite literally in the dark.
There really is nothing sadder-looking than a technology tradeshow…without power. Considering the coverage we’ve seen about CES in the general media this year, that blackout could be a metaphor about the declining power the show holds over the market these days.
See more on a darkened CES, the industry’s biggest tradeshow… [Read more…] about Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
Portal Adds Origin Acoustics; Gains Exclusive on Valet Amp
Portal announced today that it has secured a deal with Origin Acoustics which will allow dealers to select and purchase Origin products through its unique, brand-agnostic, proposal and purchasing web portal for integrators. The deal includes not only Origin products, but iRoom brand models as well. And Portal says it will be offering “exclusive access to the award winning Valet Amplifier system.”
See more on this new line being offered through Portal… [Read more…] about Portal Adds Origin Acoustics; Gains Exclusive on Valet Amp
Toshiba: Beginning to Slip From View
Company Pulls Monster LED Display from Times Square
Struggling Toshiba Corp. has made what is undoubtedly a difficult decision and a big blow to their corporate ego – they will abandon their giant LED display overseeing Times Square. The huge lighted billboard was a prominent showing of the Toshiba logo all year-round, but especially during the dropping of the ball on New Years Eve, when it served as the countdown shown on network TVs as cameras broadcast the ball drop around the world. The Toshiba logo has literally lit up Times Square for ten years, having been first erected there in December 2007.
See more on Toshiba’s decision to vacate Times Square… [Read more…] about Toshiba: Beginning to Slip From View
New Social Media Study is a Wake Up Call for Brand Marketers
Let me see if I can get your attention right now: 76% of all U.S. consumers purchased a product they first discovered in a social media post.
Let that sink in for a minute…digest it a little. Now WAKE UP! Nearly 8 out of 10 Americans bought a brand’s product that they first discovered in a social media post. If ever there was a time to tune-up your social media marketing strategy…it’s now. What’s that you say? You DON’T HAVE a social media marketing strategy?? No worries…you’re only missing out on about 8 out of 10 consumers in the market. I’m sure you’ll be fine…NOT!
See more on this new research on the importance of a social media program… [Read more…] about New Social Media Study is a Wake Up Call for Brand Marketers
Quirky Shinola Launches New Headphone Line, Made in Detroit
Quirky Shinola, the scrappy Detroit, MI-based manufacturer of an eclectic collection of disconnected product lines, including watches, bicycles, leather goods, jewelry and, now, audio, has introduced a line of headphones, including over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear models. The company, which is owned by Bedrock Manufacturing Company, LLC, is as much an experiment in bringing manufacturing back to bankrupt Detroit, as it is a power brand.
See more on this new headphone line from Shinola… [Read more…] about Quirky Shinola Launches New Headphone Line, Made in Detroit
Where Are Consumers Putting Smart Speakers in Their Homes?
CEDIA/Home Advisor Smart Home Survey
At CEDIA 2017 CEDIA and Home Advisors partnered to present the results of a recent member survey on the Smart Home market that the two parties collaborated on recently. The results were interesting although not particularly surprising or earth shattering.
See what CEDIA and Home Adviser uncovered about Smart Homes… [Read more…] about CEDIA/Home Advisor Smart Home Survey
Exhibitor: ‘May Be the Best CEDIA Ever’
Yes, that headline is a direct quote from one of the exhibitors that we polled during last week’s CEDIA 2017 (formerly Expo). We actually doubt that the show this year was truly the best ever overall, but we ran into a high percentage of happy exhibitors this year.
See more on what attendees/exhibitors told us about this CEDIA show… [Read more…] about Exhibitor: ‘May Be the Best CEDIA Ever’
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.