Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

"New MERA" Launched For 12-Volt Industry

North Andover, Mass. – After finalizing contracts, the Mobile
Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) has been officially purchased by
InstallerNet, and its name has been changed slightly to the Mobile Electronics
Retailers Association, now referred to as the “new MERA.”

As reported
in August
, MERA is now a for-profit wholly owned subsidiary of InstallerNet
and approximately 2,000 InstallerNet retailers will become MERA members,
enlarging the organization whose membership had dwindled down to 135 active
retail members, from more than 600 at one point.

Today InstallerNet president and CEO Tony Frangiosa said the new
MERA will announce several initiatives at the upcoming SEMA show on Nov.
4. 

On a conference call today, MERA executive director Barry Vogel
said a key goal of the new organization is to engage members and elicit their
active participation.  A Web site that
goes live tomorrow will help in this effort, allowing retailers to input
information and feedback. 

Frangiosa also said the new MERA will play a key sponsorship role
in the 12-volt
awareness campaign
that is seeking to raise $300,000 for a viral campaign
to launch Nov. 12, and that Vogel sits on the board of the 12 Volt Awareness
Initiative. 

Frangiosa told TWICE in August that one of the first orders of
business of the new MERA will be to plan KnowledgeFest 2010. The annual
MERA-sponsored trade seminar had been cancelled in 2009.

InstallerNet coordinates more than 3,000 installing retailers
(approximately 2,000 of which sell car audio). It sells installation gift cards
that the installer network honors. Retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and
Crutchfield, which don’t provide on-site installation, may sell these gift
cards alongside car stereo products. The customer buys the card and calls an
800 number to be directed to the local InstallerNet retailer who performs the
installation for a set price.

Featured

Close