Audio Video News

March was a month of shifting positions at several high-end consumer electronics companies.

On March 24, Union City, CA–based Runco International announced the appointment of industry veteran Bob Hana as president of the company. The former vice-president for NEC Technologies’ Visual Systems Division will oversee the day-to-day operations of Runco International, reporting directly to company founder Sam Runco, who will retain his position as Runco’s CEO.

Hana joined NEC in 1983, launching NEC’s consumer product line in North America. He rose through the ranks until being appointed to head up the Visual Systems Division in 1995. Prior to joining NEC, he had worked as National Sales and Marketing Manager for a high-end audio manufacturer and had served as manager for a chain of consumer electronics stores in the midwestern US.

Landing Hana is "a major milestone for our company," said CEO Sam Runco. "Bob represents the key element in strengthening our management team as we prepare for our next level of growth here at Runco, and the launch of the Vidikron and Projectavision brands. Our close relationship with Bob over the years leaves no doubt that he is the right person for the job. I’m excited to have him on board and look forward to a long and successful working relationship with him." Hana said he was eager and excited to join Runco at the beginning of what appears to be a surge in growth for the company.

On March 19, Sony Corporation of America announced the appointment of Mike Fidler as senior vice president of its Blu-ray Disc Group. The six-year Sony veteran most recently served as senior vice president of Sony's Digital Platform Division of America, where he was responsible for directing the design and engineering of Sony's Digital Media products. He was instrumental in launching Sony DVD players in North America.

Fidler's new position was announced just a week after Sony released plans to begin selling the world's first Blu-ray Disc recorder a machine capable of recording and playing back HDTV sources from new DVD-sized optical discs. The recorder will go on sale in Japan on April 10 at the yen equivalent of approximately $3800. Sony has yet to commit to a date for the US debut of Blu-ray recorders. Like VCRs a generation ago, Blu-ray recorders are likely to encounter some resistance from network broadcasters and Hollywood movie studios over copyright issues.

A founding member and vice president of the DVD Entertainment Group, Fidler will be based in Los Angeles, where he will establish a Blu-ray Information Office. He will report to Nicole Seligman, SCA executive vice president and General Counsel. "Blu-ray technology will have a great impact on the future of the electronics and entertainment industries, and I am pleased that Mike will be representing us with these groups," said Seligman. "Mike has the knowledge, experience, and leadership skills necessary to promote this format successfully."

Also on March 19, A/V cable and power product manufacturer Ultralink/XLO named industry veteran Don Bouchard vice president of sales and marketing. A 30-year veteran of the high-end industry, Bouchard has held executive positions with Acoustic Research, Denon, Dalquist, Cello, and most recently, Red Rose Music. He has also worked as an independent consultant with clients such as IBM, Tandy Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Maritz Corporation, and Merrill Lynch.

"Ultralink/XLO welcomes Don Bouchard aboard our team and we look forward to the continued growth of our brands in the US and overseas," stated Allen Sung, Chairman Ultralink/XLO Products, Inc. "We've made significant investment in this market with our new facilities and the acquisition of the XLO brand. With Mr. Bouchard's leadership, we are confident that he'll be successful in bringing to bear many of his invaluable relationships in the world of specialty retail and custom installation. With an executive of his caliber, we expect to earn the same market leadership position in the US and the world as we currently enjoy in Canada."

Toronto-based Ultralink is a leader in the Canadian market and last year acquired XLO in a move to leverage synergy between the brands.

Bouchard said he was "thrilled and challenged" by the opportunity with Ultralink/XLO. "We are different than most of the wire and cable guys who are simply marketing companies," he explained. "We actually manufacture our products. We have one of the most comprehensive catalogs out there." Ultralink/XLO products carry a lifetime warranty.