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Sterns Moves Quickly to Rework Sony’s CI Business

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Sony logoWhen we first reported on the appointment of Frank Sterns as Sony’s VP  of A/V Specialty/Custom Integration on the eve of the September 2013 CEDIA Expo, like many of you…we were skeptical. After all, we’ve heard encouraging announcements from Sony before…only to watch those initiatives in limited distribution, high-end products fall into disrepair through over-distribution, under-resourcing, or both.

But this time is different, Sterns tells us. And as he runs around the country setting up a whole new sales operation…we’re beginning to believe him.

See more on Sterns’ rapid ramp-up of a new Specialty A/V-CIS division for Sony… [Read more…] about Sterns Moves Quickly to Rework Sony’s CI Business

In Wake of Electronic Stockroom Demise, What Will the Catalyst AV Group Do?

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Electronic Stockroom logoIn what was a rapidly developing situation last week, California distributor Electronic Stockroom announced on Monday this week that it was closing its doors. Owner Glen O’Brien will refocus his energies on his sales representative company, Novidor & Firestorm. But Electronic Stockroom was also a founding member of the national distributor group, Catalyst AV.

What will Catalyst AV do now that the large California territory is without a member?

See what Catalyst AV group founder Wally Whinna, told Strata-gee… [Read more…] about In Wake of Electronic Stockroom Demise, What Will the Catalyst AV Group Do?

AVAD Hit by Significant Layoffs Associated with Ingram Micro Restructuring

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BREAKING NEWS

AVAD LogoIn a story that has largely flown under the radar in our industry but is being widely discussed at street level, Ingram Micro has announced plans it calls its “global organizational effectiveness program” that, among other things, calls for substantial layoffs in its North American operations. These layoffs will hit a division that is one of our industry’s largest distributors of custom integration products, known to most of us as AVAD.

Details of the restructuring are incomplete…but what we know so far appears sobering… [Read more…] about AVAD Hit by Significant Layoffs Associated with Ingram Micro Restructuring

Kaleidescape Announces (Finally) Srinivasan as CEO

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BREAKING NEWS

Kaleidescape logoIn a story we reported last week, there has been a shake-up in management at Kaleidescape, a popular media server manufacturer. In this shake-up, several employees left the company…including the CEO. The company would not comment on our story, but said a statement was forthcoming.

We now have the response from the company… [Read more…] about Kaleidescape Announces (Finally) Srinivasan as CEO

Kaleidescape to Comment on Our Report, But Only to Dealers on Private Intranet

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BREAKING NEWS

Kaleidescape logoWe reported last week that a shake-up was taking place at media-server maker Kaleidescape that included the exit of several key employees, including the CEO. We attempted several times to reach the company for a comment, but even when we finally spoke to Kaleidescape’s VP of Marketing, they refused to comment on our report. However, after our story ran, we received word that the company did intend to respond.

Now we know Kaleidescape’s response…sort of… [Read more…] about Kaleidescape to Comment on Our Report, But Only to Dealers on Private Intranet

Thiel Audio: DeFuria & Brown are Out; Is the Other Shoe Dropping?

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BREAKING NEWS

Photo of Thiel Factory

Our inquiry started innocently enough. Last week, we received an emailed press release that contained this headline: “VANA Ltd. Appoints Stephen DeFuria as Director of Sales, East.” Now we generally receive dozens of press releases every day – but this one caught our immediate attention…literally causing us to pick the phone to make a call for confirmation. Why? Because Stephen DeFuria was part of a team hired by Thiel Audio to help turn that business around – and now, only one year later, he is out…with no explanation. But that was just the beginning.

Now, there’s reason to question whether the “other shoe” may be dropping at Thiel… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio: DeFuria & Brown are Out; Is the Other Shoe Dropping?

Japanese Electronics Manufacturers Ready to Agree to Raise Worker Pay

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Photo of yenSix major Japanese electronics manufacturers are prepared to agree to raise employee pay when they meet with union representatives at the upcoming spring labor-management wage talks, according to a report in the Japan Times. Yet to be worked out is the exact amount of the increase – the first such increase for workers since 2008.

See why manufacturers are open to an increase now & how much the increase is likely to be… [Read more…] about Japanese Electronics Manufacturers Ready to Agree to Raise Worker Pay

Audio Control Launches Two New A/V Receivers Targeted for the CI Channel

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Audio Control logoAudio Control – the U.S. manufacturer of a unique line of solutions for mobile, home, and industrial markets – announced at the end of February that it has launched two new audio/video receiver (AVR) models called the Concert AVR-6 and AVR-8. These two new models replace the existing AVR-4 with upgraded construction and new capabilities, including support for 4K Ultra HDTV and 3D.

See more on this new AVR line-up from a long-time provider of unique solutions… [Read more…] about Audio Control Launches Two New A/V Receivers Targeted for the CI Channel

Thought for the Week – March 3, 2014

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Illustration of bad boss

There will be a time when loud-mouthed, incompetent people seem to be getting the best of you. When that happens, you only have to be patient and wait for them to self destruct. It never fails.

Richard Rybolt