Sad news to report today as highly respected New York Metro manufacturer sales representative Ron Meyerowitz passed away earlier this week. Ronald “Ronnie” Meyerowitz was the founder of Audio Associates in the 1970s, one of the most successful audio/video manufacturer sales representative companies in the NY Metro area for decades.
Learn more about the passing of Ron Meyerowitz
A towering figure in the business, Meyerowitz was a passionate – some would say aggressive – fighter on behalf of his dealers. Likewise, he was a tireless champion on behalf of his key brands and had deep relationships that ran throughout the entire industry.
Meyerowitz built powerful long-running partnerships with brands as he was instrumental in building their success in the Big Apple. He maintained long-time representative relationships with power brands like Harman International’s luxury lines and Monster Cable, which helped build a huge reputation for Audio Associates as the go-to rep in one of the largest A/V markets in the world.
I first met Ronnie when I joined Adcom many years ago which was based in East Brunswick, NJ. Even though I was the West Coast Regional Manager and not responsible for the New York Metro market, I was working out of Adcom’s national headquarters when Ronnie and his team, like a hurricane, would sweep through our doors and dominate the place with his booming voice and boisterous personality.
Ronnie remained Adcom’s rep for many years. He became a great resource for me, as he always freely shared his advice – even with a regional for another part of the country. I remember some really intense arguments with the Adcom management who covered the East. But at the end of the day, Ronnie and Audio Associates always delivered for Adcom and there was always an underlying respect for his fighting for our mutual dealers.
Friend and former dealer Franklin Karp provided me with the following statement about his long association and friendship with Ronnie Meyerowitz.
“A dealer could not have a better friend. It didn’t matter if they were big or small, if Ron thought the dealer was not getting a fair shake, he was a passionately persuasive advocate. With that said, he was a diligent and caring Rep for this vendors. He did not lose lines, he added those that he believed in and held all his vendors to high standards.
“His vendor partners cherished his position in the market. Was he perfect? Hell no! Did he spend lavishly on dinners? Yes! Did he make regional and national [sales managers] look good? Absolutely! On more than one occasion, I know he would pick up or split the check with a regional who was over his limit. Ronnie never gave it a second thought.
“Business was his life…he was all-consumed by and with it. There will never be another like him. I’m proud to have had him as a friend and mentor.”
As of right now, there is no word on any service. But if I learn of any, I will update this post.
Rest in peace, my friend…
I send my condolences to Ron’s family, friends, and colleagues. I knew Ron since the 1970s, we shared some lines (MFSL and Adcom among others) and would see each other at CES for national sales meetings every year. I admired his tenacious style, perfect for the NY Metro market, his wisdom as a businessman, and his heart as a human being. RIP Ronnie, you will be missed by all who knew you.
I had the pleasure of working with Ronnie and his Audio Associates team for a few years. He was fantastic whether we were visiting dealers doing demos, or unwinding after a long day with a meal and some great wine. I learned a lot about how a rep firm should be run and forming effective dealer relationships, things I still use to this day. “Legend” is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but Ronnie embodied every characteristic of the word.
Ted, Thanks so much for acknowledging Ronnie’s life and impact.
Thank YOU for your heartfelt tribute to Ronnie. It added a lot to the post!
Ted
Ronnie was a true New Yorker. Confident,brash and passionate. I spent many days in his car where he gave me advice (more like demands) on how to run the business. I loved coming to NY and traveling with him, in some ways our personalities were similar and i never took anything personal. He was just so passionate for his dealers and the way business should be done. Im sad to see him go but his memory and impact will last for decades. RIP Ron, I hear the wine up there is good!
Ronnie was a true friend and helped me with my business in so many ways, I can not count them all. If he recommended our firm to represent a vendor they called and we struck up many very deep successful relationships with them. Many trips to the Wine Country great dinners and fun.
Thank you Ted for posting this about my friend.
Best
Larry Petersen
Larry,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Ronnie…
Ted
Ronnie was a great friend and colleague. The industry lost an icon and he will be missed by everyone he touched. Rest in peace my dear friend.
I was fortunate enough to share many a Rep meeting with Ronnie and his brother Mike over the past 30 plus years. Ronnie was a True Icon in the business and a person that would always share his wisdom with you. He was always a true gentleman and great person to break bread with over a meal. The industry has lost another Great one. May you rest in everlasting peace Ronnie you will be missed.
Ronnie was always both passionate and compassionate, a great listener who could absorb the needs of the dealer and manufacturer in order to create business success for everyone. He was one of the very best sounding boards equipped with the wisdom to help and would be someone you could count on to reliably deliver great results. He will be missed along with the entertaining dinners we used to have at Acappella’s.
Sad news indeed. I worked for Ronnie and Frank as a youngster in the industry in the late ’70’s. He was a gentleman and taught me a lot about what it takes to be successful.