The Nationwide Marketing Group is getting a major boost to its connected-home initiatives.
The $15 billion marketing, merchandising and services organization has added Nest Labs to its vendor roster, providing its more than 3,000 independent retail members access to Nest and “Works With Nest” products.
“Nationwide and its members are experts in selling and installing high-end equipment,” said Gene LaNois, head of Professional Channel for Nest. “We’re excited that Nationwide members will be offering their customers Nest and Works with Nest products — thoughtful products that solve real pain points in the home while providing more security, safety and comfort.”
Added Tom Hickman, Nationwide’s CE executive VP, “This partnership represents the clearest path to success in what has been a confusing channel, but one that also holds a great deal of growth and promise.”
Nationwide will lean on Nest distributors Audio America, AVAD, Capitol Sales and Volutone, and the group’s eXchange online ordering portal, to provide dealers with just-in-time inventory as well as service and support.
“When it comes to emerging technologies and categories like the connected home, distribution will always play a key role in servicing independent dealers,” observed Dean Sottile, Nationwide’s distribution senior VP. “Nationwide’s eXchange relationships will provide easy and quick access to both the Nest and ‘Works with Nest’ products, as well as the training and information front- line teams need to deliver best-in-class experiences to consumers.”
The partnership comes on the eve of Nationwide’s 50th PrimeTime conference and buy fair, which will be held March 19-20 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. There, Nest products will join the lineup within the group’s Connected Home Kiosk, a turnkey display program that provides dealers with a one-stop, in-store smart shop.
See:Nationwide Intro’s Smart-Home Solution
Nest products will also be supported by Nationwide’s PrimeMedia studios, led by Steve Bryant, which will provide in-house TV spots, web videos, digital signage and training resources, the group said.
Elsewhere at PrimeTime:
* Nationwide will double down on its comprehensive “Prepare For Share” market analysis program, which becomes ever more crucial as Sears, hhgregg and RadioShack continue to cede share
* Will hold the hard launch of MemberNet TV, which can provide 4K UHD trailers, sports clips, demo videos, music videos and marketing messages to member dealers for display on their TV walls, and;
* Nationwide’s Learning Academy will present more than 80 educational sessions on marketing, merchandising, succession planning, financial services and other essential retail topics.
Frank Sandtner, marketing senior VP, noted that seminar registration is up 73 percent from last year’s show while PrimeTime registration is ahead 23 percent year over year.
For more information on next week’s event visit
.
