McIntosh Laboratory Inc. strives to make dealers successful—on their own terms.

People don’t get into the luxury home-entertainment channel because they have a cookie-cutter approach to retailing. The high-end audiovisual business always has been about passion, personal taste, self expression and style. So when it comes to special events and in-store promotions, it’s not surprising that the luxury retailing landscape is rich, varied and reflective of dealers themselves, and their discriminating clientele.

Summit Wireless products can save installers time, money and headaches—and can open up the retrofit market.

According to Parks Associates’ “High-end Entertainment Systems Analysis and Forecasts” report, which was released in the first quarter of 2008 by Bill Ablondi, custom installers have a significant opportunity to target mid-market customers who are willing to spend $5,000 to $15,000 for multi-room audiovisual and home-theater systems. Even now, big-box and specialty A/V retailers haven’t addressed this area adequately.

4Store is an application marketplace where developers can create Control4 apps. It features a Developer's Program that is a Flash-based platform, which delivers applications to Control4 customers and to the application marketplace, extending beyond mobile devices and into the digital home.

Flash developers can deliver entertainment, informational or social networking apps that they have created for mobile devices to consumer homes through the 4Store application marketplace (with minimal programming). For example, developers can use weather information to adjust the watering schedule for the lawn, or provide lighting and shading control for different areas

OmniMount has hired World Marketing Associates, a well-known rep firm, to launch company product lines throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company has been growing over the last couple of years, with new product lines specifically targeting professional markets (hospitality, medical, education and large venue).

Francis Williams and Julian Young are the representatives hired at World Marketing Associates. They will be responsible for setting up a distributor network across the Atlantic.

As of last Monday, iMerge, a media server manufacturer ceased operations. VidaBox is taking this as an opportunity to obtain their former dealers, which is why they are offering a discount and trade-in program to former iMerge dealers.

“With support for everything from Blu-rays to DVDs, and music to photos, our VidaBox media centers are an excellent choice for any integrator looking for a media server alternative to their current offerings,” explains Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox, LLC. “Former iMerge integrators can choose from our comprehensive line-up of nine different media center products, without sacrificing features or ease-of-installation.”

This suburban showroom has helped this installation firm stay strong for 14 years.

Company owners Scott and Jennifer Ross opened the doors to Atlanta Home Theater in 1996 in the suburban city of Roswell, GA., in the greater Atlanta area. The company has survived two recessions, and it’s still going strong. Part of its success lies behind its well thought-out showroom, which was designed to appeal to clients of all budget levels. The rest of its success is driven by the firm’s commitment to honesty, 24-hour customer-service department and the esprit de corps that fuels the entire staff.

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. is looking for the industry’s best Lutron lighting and shade control projects around the world. The company is currently accepting entries for its 2010 Excellence Awards.

The winners will receive a recognition award, as well as a listing on
the Lutron website with the winning company logo.

Winners will be announced at the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo this year in Atlanta, Georgia. A total of ten awards will be presented at a special ceremony on September 23rd: