Wake up people… you’ve got GOLD in that warehouse!!

It’s really amazing to me. Everyone is complaining daily about the economy, real estate, rising costs and pretty much anything else you will sit and listen through, yet – so many of you are not taking the 10 or 15 minutes a day required to list your stagnant inventory on GearSource. It never fails, I will call someone – lets say an Audio Company. I’ll say “Hey, by the way, we get calls all the time for PM5D’s – you care to sell any?”

Surprisingly, the person says “Oh yeah, I’d love to sell a couple of those, plus how about a Vertec rig, a couple of hundred amps, and a stage?”.

Why does it take a phone call from me to remind a business owner that he’s sitting on inventory that is paid for, and collecting dust? In most cases, we can quickly turn this stuff into cash, and even bring in top dollar. I am not talking fire sale pricing unless of course we are talking about 30 year old antiques.

So, do yourself a favor. I’ll even walk you through the first couple of listings… I just need for YOU to go through your shop and figure out a few bits of gear that haven’t been rented in a while, and could be converted to cash for the gear you REALLY need. We will do the rest.

Marcel

NEED Something??

We have recently (quietly) added a very powerful new feature to our website offering, so I wanted to tell you about it.

We’ve always had this lovely little section called the Need Zone. It is sort of a Wanted section – where you can post items you’re looking for, but don’t find elsewhere on the site. We have successfully paired hundreds of buyers with sellers using the Need Zone.

Now, using the power of Twitter, we’ve taken things a step further. When you add a Need Zone listing for something you are looking for, you have the option of sending that request out to our Twitter followers who will see what you’re looking for, and possibly have exactly what you’re looking for. It’s just another way for us to service the needs of our users, and doesn’t cost you a dime!

Also, if you’re a lighting vendor, production company, or ANYone who occasionally sells gear – you should follow us by clicking this TWITTER link. Then – just “Follow” us. By doing so, you’ll be able to see not only these NEED updates, but anything else we send out each day including Daily Deals, and more.

Soon, we will add a LOT more functionality, and better visibility to our Need Zone. Be sure to check back often. This is bound to become a very crucial part of our service.
Marcel

Big Company Fun

So – there’s a BIG public company in this industry who’s name I won’t tell you but I think you can probably draw several conclusions since the story is always similar.

Recently said, Unnamed company purchased another company in our industry. That company – Unnamed company B – had a long history and excellent reputation in the rental, concert touring, and install markets.

Once the purchase was completed company A began to tear apart company B to try and justify their purchase. Unfortunately, that process also included shedding of some long term staff, not to mention the diminished morale of those who remain.

Additionally, Company A has gone through management changes, share price drops and a decreased market share. This of course has lead to finger pointing, the blame game, and a generally ugly environment within which those remaining quality employees must continue to try and thrive.

The moral of this story is this. Why in the world do big companies always find this money burning a hole in their pockets to a point where they make stupid purchases? They seem to “create” synergies in their heads, only to realize later those synergies never really existed.

In the case I speak of – my guess would be that within the next 12 months, Company A divests its once prized possession, Company B, albeit at a HUGE discount from the recent purchase price. It’s the right move – and if they do it sooner rather than later, both companies will have an opportunity to return to their once highly acclaimed and envied leading market positions. However, wait too long, and the losses will continue to mount, and the brands (especially that of the unfortunate company B) will cease to exist, at least in the minds of their once loyal following.

Marcel

Death of a “King”

I know that everyone is probably getting tired of talking about Michael Jackson already, but I wanted to write a quick little note about what he meant to me personally.

First, in the 80′s, I was definitely a rock music guy. In fact, I wouldn’t listen to any so-called dance, or electronic music. Well, until MJ anyway.

While living in Edmonton Canada, and managing a little rock and roll Guitar store, a client / friend of mine turned me on to Michael’s music. At first my reaction was “that is crap – I’ll never listen to dorky pop garbage like that”. The CD he was pushing on me was BAD and in my opinion, it would be nothing but exactly that, bad!

I took the CD home, and without anyone knowing (cus that’d be un-cool) I started listening, and listening, and listening. In fact, I listened to it so much that something happened. I became a fan. Not a fan of the old stuff like ABC and Rock with You… but a fan of the more complex, and guitar based stuff.

Years later, in 1996 I believe, I was the sales director of Martin, and had the opportunity to provide Peter Morse and Obies with lighting for MJ’s new world tour starting in Prague.

At the time, I was working closely with a friend of mine in Las Vegas, Tim Brennan. Tim was instrumental in mine, and Martin’s success in the Vegas market. As a “thank you”, I offered to take Tim to the PLASA show in UK, and because the timing was perfect, we would also stop in Prague for the opening show in Michael’s tour to see it kicked off. Tim and I will always have this incredible memory, even though at the time, all we could think about was that we didn’t want to fall among the crowd en-route to FOH or we’d never be found again. That’s a whole other story.

In Prague, we stayed at the Hotel Inter-Continental. A very nice hotel in the center of town – and the same hotel where Michael was staying. In fact, we were on the same side of the hotel, so each time i would crack open my curtain, the crown of probably 30,000 people outside would scream “Michael” when in fact, it was just little old me.

The show blew me away for several reasons. First, it was an over the edge, no holds barred, Peter Morse design. Nuff said. Secondly – the venue was a large field with a fence around it and 130,000 people from all over eastern Europe inside. Like nothing I’ve ever seen.

Most importantly, I was actually able to meet the king of pop, and he thanked me for coming all the way from America to see him. Even then, to me – he looked so frail and fragile.

So Thursday, when I heard the news – I immediately thought of this incredible trip, and I am truly happy I was able to witness this legend. I was never so lucky with other legends like Led Zeppelin or even Elvis. MJ I can say “I was there”.

There you have it, my version of “the King is Gone”.

Marcel

What I am looking to see at InfoComm

I’ve heard a pretty mixed bag of why people are or are not going to InfoComm this week. In many ways, they’re all right!

Some people are not going because they’re tired of seeing the same old regurgitated LED Video Screens and Projection systems. Others can’t wait to see the latest Element Labs Cobra Screen, or Digital Projector monster projector.

I am going for a couple of reasons. 1 – we have a booth there, and if I DON’T go, everyone screws off… Kidding. I am going to support our booth but in addition, I am going in support of the vendors who we work so hard for. On the LED side, of course that’s primarily Color Kinetics (by the way – we’ll be showing for the FIRST time – the new, Brighter Blaze), and also Element Labs. We’ll have a Stealth screen on display (and for sale of course!) We’ve been their distributor for only a couple of months, and we’re at the show to shake hands, work with dealers – and seek out a few projects.

GearSource are always spreading our brand – but in addition, we are there to work with our important video vendors. Companies like Christie Digital, Element, Barco and others – use our killer online model to move their b-stock product.

In my free time (not likely) I will probably run around and get a good look at some of the great new stuff manufacturers have to offer this year. I am a bit of a gadget hound – so I will try very hard to avoid booths like Crestron.

I will try to take a few notes and blog about it post show – so standby!

Mainlight scores with the MF/V

This thing is COOL! In brief, it’s an 18″ X 21″ LED Video Screen tile on a yoke – but in reality, it’s the coolest moving light ever produced.

The MF/V (or MF/5 as it’s also referred to) is the followup to Mainlight supercool MF3 which was 3 Martin Stagebars on a yoke, and has become quite popular on the rental circuit.

MF/V accepts RGBHV or DVI Input and offers full pixel mapping with 15mm pitch (or LED Spacing).

Wiring is handled via Cat 5 to processor, daisy chained with loop back to processor.

Currently the fixture is available in Mainlight rental inventory, and unless you were born yesterday, you also know that Mainlight also provide rental discounts on cross rentals to other Rental Co’s – so you can spec it with confidence.

In my opinion, the MF/V is one tool that’s truly worth a closer look as a WOW effect for any show.

Marcel

Element Labs Training

This week, I took part in LED Source’s Element Labs Sales training program conducted by Steve and Mark from Element.

First, let me tell you – these are a couple of great guys, and probably also two of the more skilled Sales guys in the LED Display market. We really enjoyed having the guys here, and had fun capping their trip off with a trip to our local haunt, Rocco’s Tacos as well. Showed a couple of guys who work for an Austin company that Florida really can make mexican food!

The training covered many of element’s benefits including brightness, resolution and even the fact that Element products are more Green due to their incredible power management technology. Stealth and Versa Tube remain staples of the concert and show industry – but to see how far Element have gone with their new Cobra 16 and soon Cobra 11 products, is quite exciting.

LED Source is looking forward to a very long distribution partnership with Element on the current lineup plus many more innovative products surely to come in the future.

Marcel

Can’t put up a for sale sign…

So – a friend of mine in the industry asked me to Broker his $5 million company for him – and of course I oblige, but it’s been a bit of a learning experience.

First and most importantly, in this little industry – it’s a real no no to announce you’re up for sale. Imagine the exodus of clients, vendors and staff if that were to happen. Instead, everything must be discrete. So, being as discrete as I could, I put the company up as a listing on GearSource.com and did a bit of fishing. We received MANY calls, most of which were from people in the industry also on fishing expeditions… “Who is it, why are they selling, just tell me the city, how many employees”. Basically any piece of info that would lead them to the whole truth.

Of course I gave little bits of info. Enough to keep people interested at least. For those “real” people who were genuinely interested in taking the next step, we drafted an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) for both parties to sign prior to open conversation.

I know many of you are in a similar situation. You’ve been slaving for your business for 10, 20, even 30 years – and would like to spend some time on yourself. I can assure you, based on the response and likely success we’ve seen with this company, there is definitely a market for mid-sized businesses.

So, when you’re ready – be sure to give me a ring. Maybe we can do the same for you.. and get some interest in your life’s work!

Marcel

Great Addition to the LED Source Team today!

LED Source is very pleased to welcome Jeff Washburn as Director of Sales / Entertainment Division. In this newly created role, Jeff will lead the company’s emergent Rental and Production business, plus Hospitality install markets. Jeff will manage existing sales personnel, plus add new people to fill current and future needs. Jeff comes to LED Source having spent the past 14 years with High End Systems / Barco where he established himself as a strong regional sales manager, and recently had placed great emphasis on Video systems.

LED Source President, Marcel Fairbairn comments “Jeff brings a huge number of key relationships, plus a vast knowledge of the converging Visual markets to the table. Our recent distribution agreement with Element Labs, plus our growing Color Kinetics sales base necessitates a greater level of product and application knowledge. Jeff will easily fill that need and position us for further growth. We’re happy to have him onboard!”
In just three years, LED Source has created one of the most extensive LED distribution networks that exists. Partnerships with Color Kinetics (Philips), Element Labs, Cree and others, make LED Source an obvious choice for LED lighting solutions in Entertainment, Commercial and Residential lighting.

My Lightfair Roundup

Back in the office following a pretty successful show. I heard people call this show “LED Fair” which I guess is a fair comment considering that almost every booth had some form of LED technology showing. One booth displaying cold cathode technology actually put up a sign saying “NOT LED” which drew some attention.

Anyway, this is in no way a complete coverage of LightFair. Only my take on the show and a few of the highlights for ME.

For me, the most impressive product I saw (and I am a little biased) was the Cree LRP-38.

It’s a PAR38 or AR111 lamp, primarily targeting retail display applications, but could be used anywhere. In typical cree fashion, this light looks awesome off AND on, and does not look LED. In fact, unless you know it’s an LED, you’d probably bet your last dollar otherwise. The LRP-38 is approximately 600 lumens and draws 12 watts. It’s supposed to be similar to a 90w par 38 lamp, but I don’t think so. It’s bright enough to do what it needs to though – and looks AWESOME doing it.

Expect to see a lot from this killer new fixture in the months to come.I already heard rumor that Cree is working to close a MAJOR national retailer with an order of several million units. LED Source will have stock in June!

The next thing I grabbed onto were a few “backroom showings” of a technology called Remote Phosphor. This technology is already used in many of the white LED’s we see today. If you know me, you’ll understand why I am not gonna try and go into technical detail on this topic – but in laymans terms, remote phosphor technology basically utilizes UV LED’s with a “Dome” or lens over that is coated with phosphor. When the UV LEDs are turned on – the phosphor lights up and increases the intensity coming from the UV LEDs. They’ve dialed in very good temp’s of White. I saw a couple of different variations. One was a piece of 12″ cove with a phosphor cover. The resulting product was a 12″ semi-round cove with perfectly even surface, great color temp – and a million possibilities.

ColorReach

Another fun product was the CK (okay, PHILIPS) ColorReach with RGB / White combination.

Until now, the reaches we’ve sold were all RGB but this makes HUGE sense. You could have the top in white with 10 degree optics and the bottom in RGB with 60 degree as an example. Sooooo many cool possibilities, and a great progression for a killer light.

Recently, LED Source did a project with ColorReach where replacing 1 to one, they were able to achieve the same light levels as white fixtures consuming 75% more electricity and lasting only 2000 hours!

Lastly, outside the show – there was a lighting display of great significance. The founder of CK, George Mueller, has started another LED brand called EcoSense. While they did not exhibit at Lightfair, they did take a hotel suite at a local hotel, plus had a cocktail reception one evening. The products from EcoSense look very promising, and a few are already available to purchase from LED Source. Judging by his past success, I’d say George is someone you might want to pay attention to in the LED world.

Unfortunately, that’s about all I’ve got to report for now. The show was great, but in general, the “New” product offerings were relatively lack luster, repetative, and boring.  I did get to see the new VariLite VLX wash light, which surprisingly WASN’T on display at the Philips booth, but instead on the chip manufacturer Luminus booth. Not sure why – but seemed sorta strange to me. The light looked “good”… but I am still on the fence on this one. I guess time will tell. I learned a lot about the cooling technology though by talking with an engineer from another manufacturer. My questions on this product basically surround the cooling, LED life, replacement cost of the light engine, etc. Rental companies LOVE led’s because they are low maintenance. Will the VLX be the same? Again – time will tell.

Out for now.

Marcel