Author: 12VoltNews

HKI SounDigital USA Appoints New Director of Sales and Marketing

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DANIA BEACH, FL (02.04.2020) – HKI SounDigital USA, the US importer for SounDigital and Ground Zero, is proud to add another recognized member to its growing team. Tommy Spears steps into the role of Director of Sales and Marketing.

Tommy Spears, Director of Sales and Marketing

Spears brings his years of high-end retail and manufacturing sales manager experience to SounDigital and Ground Zero. His out of the box methodology of sales and brand development will be a great asset to the team as both SD and GZ continue to grow.

This addition will help bring more focus to their core car audio lines and expand on the presence of these brands in the brick and mortar car audio market.

Visit www.soundigitalusa.com and www.groundzerousa.com for more.

Epsilon Electronics Hires New Central / Eastern Regional

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MONTEBELLO, CA (02.04.2020) – Epsilon has announced the addition Eric Wilson to their growing family. Starting immediately after this year’s CES show, Eric has started traveling and visiting sales reps and customers to introduce himself and present new directions for the company.

Eric is from Atlanta, GA and preceding his role at Epsilon he has been a managing partner of a rep firm outside our industry for the past 6 years. Previous to that Eric has worked at Audiovox and has over 20 years sales experience in US and International Markets.

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Eric Wilson

Wilson stated in response to the new position, “I’m so excited to be working for such an amazing company with so many great individuals. I ‘m looking forward to meeting and working with our talented sales reps and taking all of the Epsilon brands to the next level as well as making sure our customers know why they are important to us.”

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Eric is looking forward to meeting dealers at company’s first time exhibiting in upcoming KnowledgeFest shows.

Visit www.epsilonelectronicsinc.com for more.

KICKER Recognizes 2019 International Distributors-of-the-Year

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STILLWATER, OK (02.03.2020) – KICKER is proud to recognize two of the company’s International Distributors-of-the-Year for outstanding performance in 2019 – Grupo Monsiry (Mexico) and OG, Inc. (Japan).

Having earned a reputation as one of KICKER’s hardest-working distributor partners, Grupo Monsiry surpassed every goal KICKER management requested while serving Mexico, Central America and Colombia.

KICKER’s Reese Gray (Left) with members of Grupo Monsiry.

“They have shown a real tenacity in the marketplace,” said Chet Weddle, KICKER Director of International Sales. “No matter what goal we threw at them, they would hurdle it. When they attend shows, they do it in force. Just this past CES, they brought 15 members of their sales staff to the show.” 

OG, Inc., led by principal Hideki Ogino, was chosen for the other International award in recognition of the extraordinary effort put forth in the distributor’s home country of Japan.

KICKER’s Chet Weddle (Left) with Hideki Ogino of OG, Inc.

OG has been honored several times with this award. Its consistent excellence in marketing the KICKER brand has proven to be a benchmark. In determining who is honored, KICKER looks at how the brand is represented in each territory, in addition to financial considerations.

“They do up to 50 shows a year around the country,” explained Weddle.  At every event, OG will bring many of their customers from Japan to experience the KICKER lifestyle.  The effort they put forth earned them the recognition.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

Rockford Fosgate New PRIME R2 Amplifiers Now Available

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TEMPE, AZ (02.03.2020) – Rockford Fosgate has announced the new PRIME R2 amplifiers are now available. Amplifiers began shipping to Rockford authorized retail stores in late December and are now available for purchase.

The R2 amplifiers are all extremely efficient because of their class D technology which reduces demand on the vehicles electrical system. They also incorporate the unique P.O.W.E.R supply which continues to generate more than rated power as the voltage increases and are equipped with auto-sense turn on for more installation options. The mono amps and 5-channel model include a variable infrasonic filter as well as a remote level control that allows for fine tuning the bass and adjustment to the desired music level.

All the Prime R2 amplifiers ship with a one-year manufactures warranty that can be increased to three years with the purchase of the corresponding Rockford Fosgate amplifier installation kit.

For more information and complete specifications please use the links below.

PRIME R2 Models include:

Visit rockfordfosgate.com for more.

Trends Electronics to Distribute MTX Products in Canada

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BURNABY, BC (02.03.2020) – Effective January 1st, 2020 Trends Electronics will distribute MTX Car, Marine and Powersports products, exclusively, from coast to coast in Canada, offering warehousing in both Western and Eastern Canada. The distribution warehouse is based at their Head Office location, in Burnaby, British Columbia; with additional warehousing based in Mississauga, Ontario to service their Eastern based partners.

 “As a leader in Canadian wholesale distribution and going into our 30th Anniversary, Trends is extremely happy to announce this new partnership” stated Grant McFatter (National Sales Manager for Trends Mobile division). “Trends Electronics has always carried Best-In-Class products for Mobile, Residential and Commercial and MTX continues to add to our mix of World Class Products, for Car, Marine and Powersports, in a BIG way.”

“Trends Electronics is very excited to introduce the MTX family of products to our dealer partners in Canada,” stated Grant Daoust CEO of Trends Electronics. “MTX shares Trends passion for Integrity, Best in Class products and business practices. We look forward to a long term relationship with a very stable partner.”

MTX Audio was founded over 40 years ago by Loyd Ivey who was recently inducted into the Consumer Technology Association’s Hall of Fame. With his son John Ivey as President and CEO, MTX still designs and engineers its own product at its many facilities throughout the US and around the world. With dozens of patents and hundreds of products in Car, Marine and Powersports categories, MTX Audio is an industry leader providing dealers and consumers with an extensive product offering sure to fit the most demanding needs of any customer wanting to take their listening experience to the next level.

Jason Fickas, Director of Sales and Marketing for MTX Audio commented “MTX Audio was built on relationships, integrity, and a relentless commitment to our partners and customers, Trends shares a similar history and core values making this an easy decision when it came to a distribution partner for Canada. MTX has an extensive 5-year product plan already in the works and we’re excited for Trends to bring it to Canada.”         

Visit trendsinc.com and mtx.com for more.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Is Rolling In 2020

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SHREVEPORT LA (02.01.20)  WTF…Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Just over two months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

Click to view.

The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner was Devine Concepts. The Wheel landed on the Kicker Space and a pair of Kicker CushBT headphones will be headed to Adam Devine in Naples FL. During a call to Adam on Friday, January 31st with the news he said “That’s great news as I don’t seem to win things. I will certainly use the wireless Kicker headphones around the shop and pool”.

Spinning out a new winner each Friday a 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.

Clifford, Infinity Sound and Security in Kissimmee FL, made this Instagram post with his check as the winner of the 58th 12volt Spin-To-Wheel.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik,Farenheit, Dynamat, Image Dynamics. SpellBrite, a manufacturer of in-store signage, also has a space. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.

Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA and the latest winner Devine Concepts in Naples FL.  Congratulations to all.

WTF….Where’s The Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel Friday, February 7th.
Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post include the hashtag #12voltspin. A slip for your company will be added to the slips in the jar.

With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!

Instagram Post Number 10,000… The 12voltnews “Puts Out More Than Anybody”

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SHREVEPORT, LA (01.31.2020), Posting fresh, positive industry news across the digital landscape is Job 1 at the 12volt Central Studios. Crafting and making 10,000 posts to the Instagram platform just didn’t happen overnight.

Click to view this post and 999 others on instagram.com/12voltnews!

Saturday, February 1st, marks the 26th anniversary of the 12volt News. Industry news posts, over the last dozen years, have been in the digital format on the web at 12voltnews.com. In most recent years social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook, have become more popular and mainstream. Fresh 12volt industry news is now delivered more quickly that ever to members of the 12volt industry. @12voltnews on Instagram and Facebook each platform reflects over 10,000 followers. There has been no purchase of ‘followers.’

@12VoltNews reached 10K posts on instagram just in time for the company’s 26th anniversary!

The image included in this article is a Craig Power Play T-Shirt that is over 40 years old. The “I put out more that anybody” message on the Craig T-Shirt parallels 12voltnews industry activity on Instagram. Thus, “I put out more than anybody” when it comes to industry posts on Instagram.

With parts of 6 decades in the 12volt industry, on this end, we will endeavor to continue to do positive things for the 12volt industry and its members… and have some fun.

DS18 is Proud to Welcome Specialty, our newest DS18 Distributor in Virginia

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL (01.31.20) – “We are happy to announce our newest addition to the DS18 extended family, Specialty Marketing. Our newest distributor in the Mid Atlantic region will also cover Metro New York and the New Jersey area. Specialty Marketing has warehouses in Mechanicsville, VA and in Fairfield, NJ so products will have very little travel time depending on the origin of the orders” DS18 CEO Sasha Susterman stated.

Specialty has been in business since 1950 and has a tremendous array of experience in all aftermarket electrical accessories, home and mobile audio. 12volt industry members feel comfortable knowing that the Company only hires sales staff members that are industry veterans. The sales staff has over 260 years of experience which provides a high level of customer service, system design and technical assistance at customer’s figure tips or dealers may simply visit their website for product information or to place orders 24/7.

Visit specialtymarketing.com and ds18.com for more.

The Biggest Stars in Sports and Entertainment Converge on SiriusXM for Super Bowl LIV Week

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NEW YORK, NY (01.31.2020) – SiriusXM has announced an exceptional week of programming for Super Bowl LIV in Miami Beach, offering multiple live broadcasts of the game in seven languages, a dedicated Super Bowl LIV pop up channel, plus a wide-ranging mix of sports, entertainment and music programming that will connect listeners with many of today’s biggest stars.

On Sunday, February 2 (6:00 pm ET), SiriusXM’s coverage of Super Bowl LIV from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will showcase nine different game broadcasts to choose from including:

  • Westwood One national radio broadcast
  • Kansas City Chiefs radio broadcast
  • San Francisco 49ers radio broadcast
  • Spanish language broadcast
  • Chinese (Mandarin) language broadcast
  • German language broadcast
  • French language broadcast
  • Hungarian language broadcast
  • Portuguese language broadcast

All game broadcasts are available on SiriusXM radios, as well as on the SiriusXM app for authenticated subscribers with the SiriusXM All Access package. More info can be found here: SiriusXM.com/SuperBowlLIV

During the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show, SiriusXM will offer listeners a live broadcast of the on-field musical performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira on both Pop2K (SiriusXM 10) and Super Bowl LIV Radio (SiriusXM 105).

SiriusXM’s 24/7 NFL channel – SiriusXM NFL Radio (channel 88) – will broadcast live from Radio Row at the Miami Convention Center throughout Super Bowl Week.  SiriusXM NFL Radio hosts in Miami will include Pro Football Hall of Fame inducteeGil Brandt, David Diehl, Bruce Gradkowski, Torry Holt, Pat Kirwan, Ed McCaffrey, Jim Miller, Kirk Morrison, Brady Quinn, Charlie Weis, Solomon Wilcots, Alex Marvez, Bruce Murray, John Clayton and Howard Balzer.

Pro Football Hall of Famer and “NFL 100 All-Time Team” honoree Brett Favre will host a special edition of his SiriusXM NFL Radio show, The SiriusXM Blitz with Brett Favre, live from Radio Row on Friday, Jan. 31 at 11:00 am ET.

On Saturday, February 1, SiriusXM NFL Radio will have live interviews from the red carpet before the annual NFL Honors event that salutes the top players and performers of the 2019 season, including the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide, the AP Most Valuable Player, AP Coach of the Year and more.  Listeners will also hear live coverage of the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020.

Super Bowl LIV Radio launches as a special week long pop-up channel on Monday, January 27 (SiriusXM channel 105).  The channel will be the home for highlights from the best programming happening across several SiriusXM channels during Super Bowl Week, and will also air the NFL press conferences featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the halftime performers; content from the NFL 100 Greatest podcast series; replays of past Super Bowls; specials chronicling the storied history of Miami music; and more.  Throughout the week, Super Bowl LIV Radio will also be a source for fans seeking info on the NFL activities happening in Miami, including Super Bowl Experience and GameDay Fan Plaza, and game day specifics on transportation, parking, stadium security and more. 

Several other SiriusXM sports, entertainment and music channels will broadcast from the SiriusXM set on Radio Row, highlighted by a showcase day of programming on Friday, January 31.

  • Kevin Hart and The Plastic Cup Boyz will host a special edition of their SiriusXM show, Straight from the Hart, live from Radio Row on Friday at 12:00 pm ET (Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio, SiriusXM 96).
  • GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and Miami native Pitbull will be on Radio Row Friday at 12:00 pm ET for a Miami Super Bowl special airing on his exclusive SiriusXM channel, Pitbull’s Globalization (SiriusXM 13).
  • Andy Cohen hosts a special episode of his exclusive show Andy Cohen Live on Radio Row on Friday at 11:00 am ET (Radio Andy, SiriusXM 102).
  • Jenny McCarthy hosts a special edition of The Jenny McCarthy Show live from Radio Row on Friday at 10:00 am ET (SiriusXM Stars, channel 109).
  • Joel and Victoria Osteen will host their show from Radio Row at 10:00 am ET on Friday (airs Friday at 5:00 pm ET on Joel Osteen Radio, SiriusXM 128).
  • Sway Calloway will host Sway in the Morning, his daily show on Eminem’s Shade 45 channel, from Radio Row on Thursday and Friday at 8:00 am ET (SiriusXM 45). 
  • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models Camille Kostek, Kate Bock, Jasmine Sanders and Josephine Skriver will host a special SiriusXM broadcast from Radio Row on Friday at 12:00 pm ET that will feature several special guests.  The show will air on Super Bowl LIV Radio (SiriusXM 105) that night at 7:00 pm ET.

Earlier in the week, SiriusXM will present the SiriusXM & Pandora Opening Drive Super Concert Series, two free exclusive concerts on back-to-back nights in Miami.  GRAMMY® Award-winning duo The Chainsmokers will perform Wednesday, January 29, and GRAMMY® Award-nominated breakout star Lizzo will perform Thursday, January 30, both at The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater. 

The Chainsmokers concert will air live Wednesday, January 29 at 9:00 pm ET on BPM (SiriusXM 51).  Lizzo’s concert will air live Thursday, January 30 at 9:00 pm ET on The Heat (SiriusXM 46).  Highlights from Lizzo’s performance will rebroadcast on SiriusXM Hits1 (SiriusXM 2).  Pandora NOW (SiriusXM 3) will replay The Chainsmokers and Lizzo performances back to back Saturday night, February 1, starting at 8:00 pm ET. 

Other SiriusXM highlights for Super Bowl Week:

SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82) will broadcast live from Radio Row throughout the week, featuring shows hosted by Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, Adam Schein, Evan Cohen and Mike Babchik, Nick Wright, Steve Torre and Danny Kanell.

On Thursday and Friday, SiriusXM NFL Radio will broadcast from 7:00 to 10:00 pm ET from the Tostito’s Casa de Crunch at Super Bowl Live in Bayfront Park.  SiriusXM’s Business Radio (SiriusXM 132) will broadcast the Wharton Moneyball show, hosted by Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, Cade Massey, and Adi Wyner, from Radio Row on Thursday at 2:00 pm ET.  On Wednesday and Thursday, SLAM! Radio (SiriusXM 145) will broadcast from Radio Row from 7:00 to 11:00 am ET.  Faction Talk’s Rich Davis and Steve Covino will host The Covino & Rich Show on Radio Row Monday through Thursday at 11:00 am ET (SiriusXM 103). 

Visit siriusxm.com for more.

Angel Distributing ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’ Set For February 8th & 9th

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BIRMINGHAM, AL (01.30.2020) – The 2020 Angel Distributing ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’ is shaping up to be a record setting event. The Saturday evening activities and Sunday show will both take place at the Angel Distributing facility in Birmingham AL. The Saturday Meet & Greet-that includes food, beverages and networking with vendors and fellow dealers-is scheduled from 6 PM until 9 PM. The Sunday show, with over 2 dozen top 12volt brands exhibiting and 6 vendor training sessions is scheduled from 9 AM-4 PM. A 10×20 tent will feature closeout specials, too.

“We are set to make the Angel ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’ super for our dealers.”

Charlie Angel stated “This is a wonderful time of the year as we get set to welcome all to our yearly ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’. We moved the show to our earlier February dates this year so as not to interfere with dealer’s busy tax season.”

Dealers packed this area of the showroom in 2019.

Chad Seekers, Angel GM, is spearheading show activities. “Dealer RSVP’s for our show has been strong. We have over 150 dealers who have registered to attend this year. Dealers from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North and South Carolina and across Alabama have RSVP’ed. This year we have added vendors Nakamichi, Phoenix Gold, TRIMAX trailer locks plus RuffTuff seat covers. Those new brands will show their products. In addition we have 6 vendor training sessions on the schedule. JVC, PowerBass, Euphoria, WeatherTech, Metra and Phoenix Gold will host training sessions on Sunday.”

Brands to be showing include Metra Brands, PowerBass, JVC, Euphoria, Q-Power, Nakamichi, Race Sport Lighting, LinksWell, Rostra, WeatherTech, Design Engineering, SolarGard, Renegade Audio, AAMP, Phoenix Gold, Accele, Polk Audio, Wet Sounds, TRIMAX and RuffTuff.

“The PowerBass OE Direct Fit Speakers grabbed attention at SEMA and the Hard Rock during CES. See you at the Angel Show,” Jeff Falk said.

Jeff Falk, PowerBass National Sales Manager, stated “I have my ticket booked to Birmingham. We had a great show during CES at the Hard Rock and I look forward to showing dealers our super product lineup for 2020.”

Robin McNeal, Nakamichi National Sales Manager offered “It’s super to have Angel Distributing on board with the Nakamichi line. We have an exciting line and think dealers at the show will see the value and add Nakamichi to their store’s mix.”

“See the new Nakamichi products at the Angel Show” Robin McNeal.

Neil Ottavi, TRIMAX, offered “Angel brought in our line of trailer locks and hitches which can offer dealers a new business opportunity for their customers.”

RuffTuff’s Joe Sound related “Our seating covers can add a profit center for 12volt retailers. We look forward to dealers at the Angel Show seeing a new profit opportunity.”

“The closeout area last year was strong and this year it is even larger with the 10×20 tent. We have a vehicle setup with Euphoria products to demo. We are working very hard to make a trip to our show great for our customers. The World of Wheels is in Birmingham the weekend of our show and several dealers told me they plan to go there Saturday before coming to our show” Seekers added.

Angel concluded, “Our manufacturers are working with us to give our dealers the best discounts of the year. Also, we will be offering a different ordering format that will make sure all are taken care of in a timely fashion. We look forward to seeing all of you at our ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’ and serving your needs.”

Angel Distributing has been hosting a yearly ‘Dealer Appreciation Show’ for over 2 decades. Make your pans to attend this year’s event. Angel Distributing 621 Robert Jemison Rd Birmingham, AL 35209.

The LA Quinta Inn and Suites in Homewood AL is about 5 miles from the Angel facility and will run shuttles to both the Saturday and Sunday Angel events.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews posts to see updates from exhibitors at the upcoming Angel Dealer Appreciation Show.

Visit angeldistributing.com for more.