Industry

AAMP Global Expands Its In-Field Support Team (Team Phantom)

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CLAERWATER, FL (06.08.22) – AAMP Global has announced the addition of two car audio veterans to their Team Phantom group. AAMP launched its Phantom program in 2016 to enhance the level of retailer support in the field.

Aaron Davis started in the industry working as an installer with a local high-end stereo shop. During his 5 years there, he was able to solidify his foundation and understanding of car audio and worked his way up to lead technician. This role afforded Aaron his now strong technical background and working knowledge of the ever-changing, multifaceted aspects of car audio. With experience and understanding, Aaron was able to transition to a different role within the industry as a sales representative with Paragon. There he represented brands like AudioControl, Arc Audio, and ORCA Designs to name a few. Aaron’s previous experience with sound quality competitions aided in his ability to train and assist dealers to elevate the car audio experience for his customers. This is where Aaron’s passion for car audio really shined, as he quickly became the “go to guy” for DSP and OEM integration. Aaron has a true passion for the 12-volt industry and enjoys sharing his knowledge to educate and bring awareness to new and more efficient ways of car audio installations and techniques. Aaron is excited for the future of car audio and all the new and exciting things that are yet to come. Aaron will cover the southern California area under his new Phantom role at AAMP. 

Chris Brinkley is a Texas native who currently lives in the San Antonio area. Chris began his career in 2001 as a retail salesperson with a national electronics chain. In 2007, he transitioned to a sales support role for a manufacturer representative firm where he worked his way up to regional sales manager. Chris is known among his retail and distribution customers for providing world-class customer service, all while providing technological knowledge that is invaluable to his customer base. Chris is fluent in DSP tuning, installation diagnostics, and has a proven ability to quickly address and resolve other product challenges. Chris is bilingual and his primary goal is to support his clients and give them effective solutions for challenges that arise, all while providing profitable options that help grow their business. Chris is looking forward to supporting the Southern Texas and Louisiana markets in his new Phantom role. 

“Chris and Aaron’s individual strengths will bring new perspective to the team, as their past efforts and abilities fall in line perfectly with the current Team Phantom program. I am looking forward to their growth and contributions here at AAMP Global,” said Director of Team Phantom, Mike Eckley.

Visit aampglobal.com for more.

AudioControl Demo Vehicle, Products, and Seminars at KnowledgeFest in Orlando

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SEATTLE, WA (06.08.22) – AudioControl will be unveiling new products and hosting training seminars for attendees at the 2022 KnowledgeFest in Orlando, FL. June 10-12 at the Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1006.

Many New Products in Booth 1006
AudioControl will be showing the recently expanded all-weather ACX line of amplifiers, perfect for automotive as well as a vast array of non-traditional installations that represent new opportunities for dealers. Imagine offering high-performance, invisible audio systems to classic car owners, or exceptionally durable solutions for recreational marine applications and UTVs—a potentially significant market segment for Florida dealers. Attendees will see new, more powerful, compact ACX amplifiers, signal processors and an all-new multi-zone Bluetooth source unit/controller along with the new Epicenter Micro and multi-function ACR-U controller. Learn how these products are ideally suited to both existing and completely new clientele.

“We are excited to bring these new products and training sessions along with an amazing Jeep demo vehicle to Knowledgefest Orlando,” said Matthew Palumbo, Mobile Audio Sales Manager at AudioControl. “Our expanded ACX amplifier lineup and other new products have been engineered to solve challenges of a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. Our aim is to provide dealers with best solutions that deliver exhilarating performance regardless of the vehicle or existing OEM system, resulting in new opportunities for growth.”

KNOWLEDGEFEST INDY TRAINING SCHEDULE (see full event schedule HERE)

Friday, June 10th – 1:45-2:45pm Meeting Room: W202-AB
New Products & New Opportunities: How to broaden your customer base and maximize system performance with AudioControl’s newest solutions

Saturday, June 11th – 5:30-6:30pm Meeting Room: W202-AB
LOCs, LGDs, & DSPs Oh My! Take an in-depth look at the LOC, LGD, and Epicenter product lines from AudioControl. Not sure when to use an Epicenter in an OEM integration installation? Do you know the difference between The Epicenter and AccuBass? What is the difference between the LC1i, LC2i, and LC2i Pro? Are you an expert at setting up The Epicenter? What about dialing in an LC2i Pro? Do you know what the different colors/models of LGDs mean and when to use each? Join us for a fun session where you will learn all of this and more.

Sunday, June 12th – 10:45-11:45am Meeting Room: W202-AB
Achieve Predictable Results using AudioControl! Testing audio system performance is important in every vehicle receiving an audio upgrade. This course offers a comprehensive guide to utilizing a simple DM-RTA checklist along with documenting results. Learn to better offer the most appropriate equipment for each vehicle and to best accommodate each listener’s expectations, along with best practices for using the powerful DM-RTA to test, troubleshoot and validate performance—these are the keys to making every vehicle sound great!

Click here to reserve your seat

Visit audiocontrol.com and knowledgefest.org for more.

VISIT AUDIOCONTROL AT THE 2022 KNOWLEDGEFEST ORLANDO, JUNE 10-12, BOOTH 1006

Custom Audio Is on the Road Around Erie, PA

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ERIE, PA (06.07.22) – Custom Audio is on the road around Erie in a new van with striking custom graphics. Since 1983 the company has offered HomeAV and car audio products with a full show room for demonstrations and custom installation.

Owner Sondralee Orgenia related, “Putting the new van project in place was a lot of work and a lot of vinyl, but boy it mades a beautiful statement for our business. The van was hard to find and we purchased a 2019 Chevy Express. It came with a stock camera system and we added a remote starter system with Drone so we could track the van on jobs. We also added a little lighting inside and Stinger X sound dampening to quiet the ride.”

Custom Audio does a lot of large custom jobs for businesses including restaurants and meeting facilities in addition to home AV installations. The van is utilized to transport equipment for the installations and tools to complete the job. The Custom Audio van is also a billboard outside those businesses and in residential neighborhoods. Back at the store the van grabs attention parked in front of the store on the high traffic street.

Concluding, Orengia offered, “Business has been strong across the board at Custom Audio. We have an amazing team and the new van is an investment into the future.”

Visit customaudioshop.net for more.

SEMA Returns to Its Roots to Honor Industry Legends

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (06.07.22) – Tickets to the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, a prestigious celebration where industry leaders and SEMA Hall of Fame members are recognized, are now available at www.sema.org/gala.

Formerly known as the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala, the annual SEMA Awards Gala is open to the industry and will take place July 29, 2022, at the brand-new Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, Calif., in what will be a sort of homecoming for the industry. Following the inaugural SEMA Show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1967, the trade show was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from 1968 to 1976 before moving to Las Vegas the next year.

“The SEMA Awards Gala is a great opportunity for the industry to come together at mid-year to connect in person and have meaningful conversations in an intimate setting,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Our roots extend to the city of Anaheim, so it will be exciting to return with friends and colleagues to honor industry leaders.”

Among those honored at this year’s Gala are incoming and outgoing board members and 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Walker Evans, Jack Roush, and “Gene” Winfield.

The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags, a cherished Gala tradition, will also return to offer industry participants the chance to sponsor a child-built pinewood racecar or challenge industry colleagues in head-to-head competition. The races, which are run throughout the Friday reception and into the evening, support SEMA Cares, a group that unites the automotive aftermarket’s fundraising efforts to raise money for various charities.

To secure one of the limited number of available seats and tables available for the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, visit www.sema.org/gala. For more information about the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races or to sponsor a car, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Jammin’ N June… It’s Summertime

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12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (06.06.22) – Jammin’ N June… It’s Summertime and time to ‘Crank It Up’!  Your store’s followers can Get Jammin’ N June with great gear for their rides. Let them know your store has the HiTech in-dash media, powerful amps, speakers and more to get their rides Jammin’ N June. LED vehicle lighting too!

That theme can grab the attention of social media followers and consumers to create store traffic for 12volt retailers. Utilize this Jammin’N June graphic for your social media posts. Screenshot it and use it for free.

Online sales have been on a steady rise for the past several years. The COVID-19 Pandemic, along with stimulus checks, led to a dramatic spike in overall 12volt sales in latter 2020 and 2021. Inventory shortages, plus inflation and gas prices have now stemmed business for many retailers.  Jammin’ N June themed activities by proactive 12volt retailers can drive consumer awareness and traffic into stores… and very importantly drive sales.

It’s imperative that 12volt retailers create a powerful in-store experience for consumers in the showroom. An impressive demonstration in the showroom will bring a smile to the consumer’s face and can raise the hair on their arms… making the cash register ring also.

In-person retail events and Sound-Off are creating excitement again in the marketplace. These facts indicate 12volt enthusiasts and consumers are ready to Crank It Up and get Jammin’ N June.

From the 12volt Central Studios we will continue to showcase positives across the 12volt industry. The 12voltSTP Tool makes that easier than ever. Snap an image with your smartphone. Txt that image to 318-465-0844. PRESTO. Your positive activities could be in The 12volt News.

As an industry ‘Let’s Get Our Shine On.’ Let’s get Jammin’ N June!

Much more to come from the 12volt Central Studios.

SEMA: Automotive Specialty Equipment Sales Increase to $50.9 Billion

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (06.06.22) – Sales of specialty-equipment parts reached a new high in 2021, increasing to $50.9 billion in retail sales for the first time in history—up from $47.9 in 2020.

The finding comes from the new “2022 SEMA Market Report,” which is available for download at www.sema.org/research, and provides the automotive aftermarket industry a comprehensive review of the specialty-equipment market in 2021. The report includes new data on the U.S. market size, consumer profiling, industry trends and changes in the vehicle population.

SEMA estimates that the growth was driven by strong consumer interest in working on their car or truck, as more than 80% of specialty-equipment consumers reported spending as much, if not more, time working on their personal vehicles as they did during 2020.

“The 2022 SEMA Market Report can help member companies identify key areas of interest for consumers, and where the most money was spent on parts in 2021,” said SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp. “As our biggest research report of the year, this is a must-read for any business that wants to make strategic, data-driven decisions.”

Restrictions on in-person shopping eased in 2021, prompting consumers to become more comfortable going back into stores to buy parts. The split of in-store versus online sales is 2021 was roughly 50/50 versus 54% online in 2020 and 45% online in 2019. This normalization is expected to continue in 2022.

Pickups remain the single biggest segment in the specialty-equipment parts market. An estimated 13.6 million pickups were modified by consumers in 2021, accounting for a combined 31% of specialty-equipment parts sales.

Ongoing supply-chain issues are also a concern in 2022. More than 90% of specialty-equipment manufacturers, distributors and retailers feel that their business has been impacted by supply-chain-related challenges. This, is turn, is softening expectations regarding 2022 sales.

For more data on the opportunity available in the automotive specialty-equipment market, download the 2022 SEMA Market Report for free today at www.sema.org/research.

This report is the focus of an upcoming SEMA webinar on June 8. Register for the webinar by clicking here.

Elite Audio Celebrates 30 Years

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SPARTANBURG, SC (06.03.22) – Elite Audio has served the Spartanburg area since the early 1990’s and is celebrating the company’s 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion a custom 30 Year T-shirt was developed by owner Joe Zelano.

“It has been a fun journey to reach 30 years and we thought a custom T-shirt would spotlight the 3 decades. The limited edition T-shirt is a USA made cotton blend with our logo on the left chest and full on the back. Our 30-Year logo is on the left sleeve. We made a post on Instagram about the T-Shirt and the response has been very strong with followers wanting to get one.”

Joe Zelano proudly holds an Elite Audio 30-Year T-Shirt in his office area. Various magazine and newspaper articles plus awards are framed in the background.

Zelano added “Knowing how we do things it’s a high quality T-shirt. And customers who picked one up have commented on the high quality.”

Boxes of the T-shirts displayed. Supply issues actually delayed the arrival of the T-shirts.

Through the years Elite Audio has expanded the product mix far beyond car stereo. “We had to diversity what we offer to stay on top of the scene. Without automotive aftermarket products car stereo would only go so far. It’s not like the ’90’s when there were 10 plus car audio only shops in an area. The shops that did not diversity are pretty much gone today. Retailers must stay up with the trends and stay active with all categories in the automotive industry-not just car audio” Zelano related.

Social media posts like this showcase exciting work Elite Audio is doing plus highlights the company storefront.
Social media posts highlight the PowerSports category which drives awareness and sales for Elite Audio.

To stay in front of followers and consumers Elite Audio makes frequent social media posts. On Instagram over 2200 followers can see posts that feature various installation and vehicles. Frequently posts feature a vehicle out front with the company’s signage in the background.

The Elite Audio staff includes 7 full time professionals plus 2 part time employees. The product mix includes car audio, video, remote start, safety, convenience, connectivity, wheels, tires, suspension, lighting and accessories. The Powersports, bike and marines categories have added to the company’s offerings.

Visit eliteaudioonline.com for more.

See the 12voltSTP Tool at Work for Companies Across the US

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SHREVEPORT, LA (06.03.22) – In today’s world, and the 12volt world, it’s hard to find positive news. The 12volt News, and the 12volt Central Studios staffs, work to deliver positive industry news each business day. Creating the 12voltSTP Tool was another example of making it easy for industry members to deliver their company’s brand and activities to members of the 12volt industry.

The images below show The SEMA HSVB initiative at Santa Ynez Valley High Schoo, KICKER at the American Flat Track at the Red Mile in Lexington KY, RPM Sales at the Hi-Tech Midnight Madness sale and MSC America training at Dynamic Audio in Lodi CA. See even more @12voltnews on Instagram and Facebook for more examples of the 12voltSTP Tool at work. To see over 500 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

The 12volt STP Tool makes it easier than ever to showcase your company’s positive activities and products. Snap..Txt..Presto.. your company’s positive news and activities could be in the news. 318 465 0844 is the number. With the advent of social media, Facebook and Instagram platforms became key vehicles to deliver information and news. The fact remains people still need, and look forward to, receiving positive news. That is also true for the business realm that includes the 12volt Industry.

Today, a vast percentage of people spend hours and hours on their mobile devices each day. Reports are the average person spends 7 hours a day on their smartphone.

To deliver fresh industry news to members of the mobile electronics industry the 12volt Central Studios makes multiple posts on Instagram and Facebook each business day. The 12volt STP Tool was created in 2020 for members of the 12volt industry to send their news to the 12volt Central Studios. Snap and Txt an image to 318-465-0844. Presto, your positive news could be delivered to members of the 12volt industry.

On Instagram and Facebook, @12voltnews has over 10,000 followers on each platform. Those followers are dedicated members of the 12volt industry.

Click to see over 500 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

Look forward to seeing your company’s brand and activities in the 12volt News.

SiriusXM Sets Sail with Yacht Rock Performances from Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross

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NEW YORK – May 31, 2022 – SiriusXM has announced that yacht rock vanguards Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross will celebrate the summer season with a special invitation-only concert cruise for SiriusXM listeners on Monday, June 13.

SiriusXM Presents Yacht Rock the Boat with Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross will feature Loggins and Cross performing their smoothest hits for Yacht Rock Radio listeners and fans as they set sail around New York City on the Horizon’s Edge yacht. The performances will also be heard on SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock Radio on Friday, June 17 at 8:00 pm ET.

“At the time we were creating this new kind of music that was happening organically – we had no idea it would turn into what is now known as Yacht Rock. I’m excited to bring it all full circle and perform some of those same songs on a yacht for the first time in my career,” said Kenny Loggins.

SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock Radio features smooth-sailing soft rock from the late 70s and early 80s from artists like Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Toto, America, Ambrosia and more. It’s the kind of rock that doesn’t rock the boat. Yacht Rock Radio will be available all summer long from Wednesday, June 1 through Monday, September 5 on SiriusXM radios (ch. 14) and on the SXM App. The channel is also available year-round on SiriusXM channel 311.

For information on how to attend SiriusXM Presents Yacht Rock the Boat with Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross, please visit: www.siriusxm.com/YachtRockNewYork

SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock Radio is available to subscribers nationwide on SiriusXM radios, the SXM App, and with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant or however they stream at home. Streaming access is included with all of SiriusXM’s trials and most popular plans.

Design Engineering Releases Dyno Strap Heat Guard

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AVON LAKE, OHIO – Prevent damage and burn-through of critical dynamometers tie-downs with DEI’s Dyno Strap Heat Guard (#10466).

Developed to add a protective layer to dyno straps that run close to exhaust exits or other hot areas of an operating vehicle, the protective sheaths are made of a high-temperature-resistant aluminized material to withstand 500°F direct heat and 2000°F of radiant heat.

“It started with a frantic call from a local tuner shop, asking if we offered a protective heat sleeve for dynamometer tie-down straps,” said Mike Buca, DEI Product Manager. “It seems this tuner nearly launched a car while on the dyno because the exhaust heat exiting the tailpipe actually burned through an already weakened area on the strap.”

Dyno Strap Heat Guard protects against such scenarios by easily slipping on over standard tie-downs, allowing them to be positioned near exhaust pipe exits. The sheaths measure 5″-wide-by-36″-long and include an attractive silver finish.

For more information about Dyno Strap Heat Guard and DEI’s complete line of performance heat and sound control products, visit www.DesignEngineering.com.