by KMB Communications | Mar 30, 2016 | KMB Communications
OneVision Resources, Multimedia Resource Group, and Datasat Digital Entertainment sign KMB for PR & Communications Strategy.
It’s been a busy first quarter for KMB Communications. Truth be told, it feels like we haven’t stopped since CEDIA 2015, when we first began building the relationships that resulted in signing three new clients for 2016, with several others in the works.
(Shameless self-promotion: The KMB team is busy, but we’re continuing to strategically grow, work even more efficiently, and add services to accommodate our expanding client list. If you’re interested in seeing how a strategic PR and communications plan can help your company, reach out today.)
We’re going to be honest.
This post is hard to write. As public relations professionals, we’re very used to touting our clients’ vast accomplishments. But talking about ourselves? We don’t find that quite as easy. So, instead, we’re going to do what we do best and talk about our clients, why they are such a good fit for the KMB family and most importantly, how they can help members of the press with news leads, interesting perspectives on timely topics, and observations on industry trends.
OneVision Resources
Talk about starting big. Our first placement for Boston, Massachusetts-based OneVision Resources is a cover story in the April 2016 issue of CE Pro Magazine. A huge thank you goes to editor-in-chief Jason Knott for his care, attention and great reporting on 
this piece!
OneVision is, perhaps, one of our most unique clients to date, and one of our first forays out of the manufacturing side. A former custom integrator that pivoted its business model to focus on providing service in a white-label capacity to other home technology professionals, getting the story out about OVR required careful consideration, hours of phone calls, and endless drafts of copy. We want to make sure the OVR mission, vision, and service offerings are crystal clear to those in the industry. We see how so many integrators could benefit from it because we’ve worked with Ihiji in this space for seven years.
With his background as an integrator and his entrepreneurial business sense, OneVision Founder Joey Kolchinsky provides a unique perspective on a number of technology topics, from smart home integration to earning recurring monthly revenue through service contracts. We’re sure the industry will be hearing more from Joey in a variety of outlets in the months to come.
Datasat Digital Entertainment
A leader in the field of professional cinema technology (much like long-time client Stewart Filmscreen), Datasat Digital Entertainment is planning strategic growth in the high-end, luxury custom electronics field. The company’s RS20i recently received rave reviews in Secrets of Home Theater and Hifi, and Datasat called on KMB Communications to help keep the buzz alive, while elevating the brand’s profile as a leader in luxury home electronics.
Datasat is often teamed with Stewart Filmscreen technology and Torus Power toroidal isolation transformers in ultra-high-end home theaters. The synergy between the brands, along with KMB’s connections in that arena, made Datasat a logical fit within the KMB family. We look forward to sharing their new product news, dealer case studies, and more as we continue to build a digital dialogue around the brand and elevate and amplify their messaging in print, on the Web, and through social channels.
Multimedia Resource Group
Speaking of synergy between brands, we recently signed Torus Power, Datasat and Stewart Filmscreen dealer Multimedia Resource Group. Based in Chappaqua, NY, this luxury home theater designer, installer, and custom integrator has many exciting stories to share with KMB’s audience, end-users, and the AV world at large.
KMB Communications is excited and proud to assist Multimedia Resource Group owner David Kepke with his public relations and end-user facing inbound marketing strategy and content creation efforts. The addition of both David and OneVision’s Kolchinsky to our client list helps us provide even more diverse resources to the media.
If you’re looking for a source to discuss trends in home theater and smart home design, or a veteran integrator’s perspective on the industry, David is ready, willing, and able to assist as a subject matter expert.
How Can We Help You?
KMB’s role as a publicist is two-fold: to elevate and amplify our clients’ messaging and to act as a resource for the media. By expanding our client base, we are better equipped to assist in this regard, with a wide range of personalities, and perspectives to reflect on AV industry trends. Stay tuned, as there’s more to come, as well.
Would you like to hear more about our new clients, or perhaps join the ever-growing KMB family? Reach out here.
by KMB Communications | Mar 12, 2016 | Torus Power
A buzz-generating story has hit the trade press and has gotten a lot of attention: Our client, Torus Power, has become an independent business entity, spinning-off from parent company Plitron Manufacturing. The “transition is the direct result of the company’s planned, progressive growth over recent years,” as stated in the press release we put out recently.
“Key employees have been retained and are committed to helping Torus Power reach new heights. Founder Howard Gladstone will stay on as Chairman and CEO. Kevin Main has been promoted to President and COO, and Ross Whitney will become Torus Power Technical Sales Specialist and Customer Service Manager,” the release continues.
As Torus Power’s PR firm, KMB Communications is extremely proud to share this news, and to also point out that it comes at a time when the company is posting record sales.
What made this strategic move possible? Let’s take a look back – and forward – to explore threshold moments that contributed to Torus Power’s growth, from a powerful CEDIA event anchored by a live performance by Bass Virtuoso Dean Peer and percussionist Bret Mann, forward into 2016 and beyond. It’s really no surprise that Torus Power is leaving the Plitron nest (so to speak) to soar on its own.
(Spoiler alert: While the toroidal isolation power transformer supplier remains dedicated to the high-end home theater market, the company has expanded—with great success— into other markets via support from the company’s dealers, partners, and peers.)
Spring 2015: Expanded Outreach and Channel Partner Growth
Torus Power revamped its website (www.toruspower.com) with an emphasis on video and technical depth to better illustrate how the company’s products work and to showcase the benefits of toroidal isolation power transformers.
In conjunction with the site launch, KMB was contracted to ramp-up Torus Power’s social media presence and outreach efforts, updating the company’s Facebook page and launching a Twitter account to better engage with the AV community, the media, and the home theater and two-channel audio markets. This project was, and is, managed by Dawn Allcot of Allcot Media, Inc., a trusted KMB partner since March 2015.
Torus Power signed Karma AV as its UK distributor, expanding international availability for the professional, residential, and audiophile markets. “Torus Power’s product range provided by far the best power and performance results we have achieved to date, more so than other brands we have tried over the years,” said Ian Severs, of Karma AV.
Fall 2015: New Products, Awards, Rep Firms
Building on the success of the TOT Max and TOT Mini series isolation transformers, Torus Power launched the TOT AVR, which provides that same small chassis but adds automatic voltage regulation, at a fraction of the price previously offered. The unit made waves due to its smaller footprint, lighter weight, and lower cost than the AVR series. The product went to win a CE Pro BEST Award in the power products category.
Returning from CEDIA, Torus Power signed several new independent residential U.S. sales reps, including L.P. Hench Company, The Performance Group, Inc., and Navigant Marketing. As an interesting aside that further showcases the small, highly interconnected world we live in, KMB’s Chief Strategist Katye (McGregor) Bennett worked with Mike Hench of L.P. Hench when Katye was Executive Director of the EDGE Distributors Group and is happy to reconnect with him as KMB works to support Torus Power dealers and distributors.
Respected AV writer Bob Archer reviewed the Torus Power AVR 20 and TOT Max power transformers in a CE Pro column and even recorded an A-B sound test that, for the first time ever, showcases to anyone in the world the difference clean power makes. CE Pro Europe picked up the review, further educating the EMEA audience on Torus Power’s differentiated offering.
Winter 2015 / 2016: The Buzz Continues
To cap off a phenomenal year:
– Bob Archer named the TOT AVR as a CE Pro “Top Pick” product of 2015. www.cepro.com/article/editors_picks_bob_archers_products_of_2015
– Torus Power showcased award-winning dealer Multimedia Resource Group, whose Home Building Industry (HOBI) Award-winning Greenwich, CT, home theater installation prominently features a Torus Power WM 45 BAL AVR TVSS isolation power transformer. This installation will be entered into both the CEDIA and Electronic House Home of the Year Awards.
Torus Power’s success in the residential custom integration and professional AV markets is well-aligned for further expansion in 2016, as, together with KMB Communications, the manufacturer continues to focus on educating their audience about the undeniable benefits of integrating isolation transformers into AV systems where audio and/or video quality is important.
Recording Studio Success Stories
Expect to see more articles and information about Torus Power products at work in professional and home recording studio environments. After all, studio designer Arthur Kelm has been touting the benefits of Torus Power products in studios for years – we’re all excited that word has spread. Throughout March we’ll be featuring an awesome story about Pro Audio LA, who is both demonstrating and specifying Torus Power products with great success.
Stay tuned. We’ll have additional case studies, photos, videos, and more in the coming months.
Reach Out and Catch Up
As always, KMB Communications and Torus Power are happy to share our knowledge on toroidal isolation benefits and solutions. Catch up with the company on Vimeo , Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook now!
by KMB Communications | Mar 4, 2016 | Multimedia Resource Group
How content marketing can help elevate and amplify a company’s message
KMB Communications is proud to announce that we are now the public relations and strategic communications firm of choice for Chappaqua, NY-based custom integrator, Multimedia Resource Group.
While we have typically focused our sights on manufacturer partnerships, based on KMB Communications’ expertise and industry connections in the custom integration trades it makes sense to expand our efforts to serve integrators in a B-to-C (or B-to-B for commercial integrators) capacity, assisting with trade and mainstream publicity, content marketing, and other strategic communications efforts.
The Story of … A Story
Our relationship with Multimedia Resource Group is a pretty cool story that emphasizes the power of relationships, cross-promotion, and creative collaboration between manufacturers and their dealers.
It started when David Kepke of Multimedia Resource Group mentioned a recent installation his team had completed utilizing a Torus Power product to Kevin Main during CEDIA. Kevin mentioned the installation to our chief strategist, Katye (McGregor) Bennett, and within 60 days KMB was able to get the story published in Electronic House magazine. The eye-catching project won a Home Builders International (HOBI) award and utilized a Torus Power RM-20 isolation transformer as a source of clean power for the Atmos 3D Surround Sound system and other key audio video, lighting and control products.
The integrator, noticing KMB’s social media promotion of his project and the award, approached us to help him elevate and amplify his outreach efforts – which had become more than just a source of “bragging rights” for the integrator, and were driving traffic to his website and generating leads.
Since then, the Greenwich home theater project has been the source of blog posts, social media collateral, additional industry contest entries and more…
Shh… here’s the secret marketing strategists don’t want you to know…
There’s always another angle to any story.
Every audio visual installation project is made up of many stories waiting to be revealed. You’ve heard the phrase “two sides to every story.” Spoiler alert: There are way more than just two sides!
50 Writers, 50 Stories
If you give 50 different AV journalists, podcasters or publicists the same hypothetical photos, scope of work, and equipment list, you will get 50 different stories. Each will focus on different aspects, different unique selling propositions, even different equipment. Every person sees a different “wow factor,” and each project has multiple focal points depending on the writer’s background, interests, and knowledge.
And then (here’s where it gets really cool) the reader brings their own background, interests, and knowledge to the story to create their own perceptions. They might tweet out this hypothetical story focusing on an aspect the writer or integrator brushed over. It’s a different story to every reader. (We say hypothetical because clearly, while the Multimedia Resource Group project got a lot of publicity… it wasn’t quite 50 stories!)
Consistent Messaging
As publicists here at KMB Communications, it’s our job to write any piece in such a way that whatever the reader takes away from the story is in line with our clients’ messaging – that they are reading the story you – our client — want them to see. It’s our job to minimize that discrepancy between the readers’ perceptions and the actual words and photos on the page.
That’s just one reason content marketing shouldn’t be left to just anyone. Content marketing – that is, using written, photographic or video content to elevate and amplify your brand’s story – should be one part of a comprehensive marketing strategy that builds visibility for your brand with consistent messaging.
Journalism and Content Marketing
Content marketing won’t replace traditional journalism because it is the journalist’s unique perspective that adds a different flavor to the piece, amplifies the story’s visibility and gives it even greater legitimacy. It’s one thing for the integrator or their PR firm to say a story is cool. It’s another when an individual journalist validates that by devoting bandwidth – real and figurative — to the project.
However, as much as a PR firm will do its best to ensure consistent messaging we, nor are clients, are in complete control over trade publications and websites.
Content marketing, o
n the other hand, puts the client and the strategist in complete control. That’s the attraction. Control your story and deliver your message with pinpoint accuracy… over and over again.
Happy Together
A good strategic communications plan should include a blend of traditional PR outreach, content marketing, and social media – all based on a long-term plan that includes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ways to measure success.
For integrators and other end-user-facing clients KPI’s are relatively easy – are prospects asking for bids? On the manufacturing side, because so many variables are at play, it’s more difficult to measure success. KMB Communications has developed the right processes to measure and report success to clients on either side of that fence.
Are you ready to take your strategic communications to the next level? We bet there are at least 50 ways we can help.
Why not get started by reaching out now?
