Just one day after we reported that JVC Kenwood was turning away from the Consumer Electronics business and choosing to instead pursue more commercial enterprises – the company announces its first major partnership in this new operating model. The company has partnered with Europe’s Airbus Defence and Space in a major new initiative to develop a public safety wireless broadband technology for the North American and European markets.
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This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
In a big announcement in Tokyo today, JVC Kenwood CEO Haruo Kawahara said the company will drastically overhaul its business – more so that previously announced – turning away from consumer electronics and towards more commercial businesses, according to the Nikkei. The CEO, in his most specific comments since the company revised its forecast from a profit to a loss for the current fiscal year, is signaling a significant sea change for the company…
See more on this surprising announcement from the struggling company… [Read more…] about This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners
The DaVinci Group (TDG) announced that it has added new partners to its sales representative and distribution network, expanding its sales force backbone to help better serve dealers and integrators as the company continues to grow. The Ontario, CA-based company launched at the end of last year and says it has experienced rapid growth through the end of 2013. This growth continues to accelerate as the company brings more regions on board,
See which reps and distributors have joined TDG as well as what regions they serve… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners
Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView
Sometimes making no impression is the way to make the biggest impression of all! Massachusetts-based ClearView® Audio (www.clearviewaudio.com/) launched an innovative transparent music system at CES 2014 and is enjoying a great response from dealers, domestic and international. Called Clio, this first product stands just over 9 inches tall, streams over Bluetooth, and has an MSRP of $349. [Read more…] about Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView
CES 2014 – The Year of the…? (Insert Your Favorite Gadget Here)
When I was little, I came home from school one day, excited to tell my mother about all my new friends. One-by-one, I named each of them, calling each one “my best friend.” When I finished, I’ll never forget what she said. “If they’re ALL your best friend, then you don’t have a BEST friend.”
The Consumer Electronics industry over the last few years and continuing into this year – has fallen into a troubling state of highly fragmented technology trends. It is in this environment – the absence of any clearly defined, overall technology trend – Gary Shapiro and the CEA try to field their annual technology exposition known as the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
So what was the big tech innovation at CES?…Well, it’s complicated… [Read more…] about CES 2014 – The Year of the…? (Insert Your Favorite Gadget Here)
JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
JVC Kenwood announced in Japan that it has made a substantial investment valued at $300 million in the WiL Fund I, L.P., a company that it describes as a “venture investment consultation organization.” The company says it is partnering with WiL (World Innovation Lab) as part of a plan to find new potential acquisitions “to enhance growth in next generation development business.”
See more on this new report out of Japan… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
Aim High Audio Appointed Reps for Denon, Marantz & Boston Acoustics in Southeast
Aim High Audio Sales & Distribution announced that they have been appointed the manufacturer sales representative of record for Denon, Marantz, and Boston Acoustic brands for the Southeastern states. The appointment is effective immediately and represents a pretty serious expansion of brands available through the Marietta, GA-based rep firm and distribution company.
See more on this unexpected change by D&M in the Southeast territory… [Read more…] about Aim High Audio Appointed Reps for Denon, Marantz & Boston Acoustics in Southeast
Gibson Brands Goes ‘Back to the Future’ to Celebrate 120 Years
Gibson Brands took advantage of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to make a bit of a show of their own to celebrate 120 years in business. The company, which serves up 23 different brands of musical instruments, professional audio products and, more recently, consumer electronics products, chose a unique way to mark the occasion by going “Back to the Future.”
See more on how Gibson chose to celebrate their 120-year anniversary… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Goes ‘Back to the Future’ to Celebrate 120 Years
Amazing! Sony CEO Admits Company Failings – Says ‘Wow’ is Future
Sony’s CEO Kazuo Hirai gave a relatively compelling keynote presentation that was in stark contrast to their rather dry Mike Fasulo and unemotional press conference. Not only was Hirai dynamic and at times, emotional even – he competently and capably articulated a new and strong vision for the company based on the Japanese word “kando” and the English word “wow.”
See the surprising twist in the Sony CEO’s presentation…including a moment that NO other Sony CEO would ever dare to try…admitting past product failures… [Read more…] about Amazing! Sony CEO Admits Company Failings – Says ‘Wow’ is Future
High End Amongst the High Rollers – Pass Labs Launches All-New X.8 Amplifiers at CES
Pass Laboratories, Inc., the company founded by renowned amplifier designer Nelson Pass, is out amongst the high rollers of Las Vegas with a new line of high quality amplifiers called the X.8 (Point 8) Series Amplifiers. With a design philosophy described as “music first,” Pass Labs says these amps were seven years in the making and are just now being launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in the Venetian Tower, Room 34-209.
