ProSource said it hunkered down with key vendors at this month’s 2015 IFA show in Berlin to lock in an audio game plan for the $4.5 billion buying group.
A key focus, said Crutchfield buyer and ProSource audio committee member Tommy Kinstle, was the future of multiroom audio and managing the transition to these wireless platforms.
ProSource, the A/V and custom integration specialty arm of the BrandSource buying co-op, said it held strategic planning meetings at the show with D&M Group, Yamaha, Flexson, Cambridge Audio, Klipsch, Harman and Sennheiser, among other vendors.
ProSource president/CEO Dave Workman, who presides over the group’s audio committee, led the discussions by providing vendors with feedback from its more than 500 members.
Observed Kevin Zarrow, VP/general manager of D&M, “Due to the diversity of the audio committee and the group’s dealer base, we get meaningful feedback in terms of market trends, product ideas and promotional opportunities for retail and custom installation products and services.”
He continued, “We find the discussions are open, transparent and consistently productive. The audio committee and 2015 meeting format in Berlin fostered the creative process for envisioning the future of audio and we plan to participate in these sessions going forward.”
Other participants included ProSource business development director Andy Orozco and audio committee members Angus Bryan of BrandsMart USA; Joe Feregrino of Nebraska Furniture Mart; David Glassman of IQ Home Entertainment; Chad McKinney of Huppin’s/OneCall; Stephanie Keough of World Wide Stereo; Steve Weiner of Listen Up; and Leon Temiz of Electronics Expo.
Added Crutchfield’s Kinstle: “I found the opportunity to meet with key strategic partners to discuss product planning in emerging categories such as headphones, Bluetooth speakers and multiroom audio extremely valuable. The committee provides a vehicle for sharing consumer and group feedback on issues facing us as retailers and custom integrators in a collaborative and productive format with manufacturers.”
