CEPro – The DaVinci Group Piques Interest in CEDIA Expo Debut

TDG Audio talks up its unique ‘share-the-wealth’ business model with integrators, while unveiling 24 new products, a new tweeter technology for architectural speakers, and its new rep network.

 The TDG braintrust of (from left) Dan Kippcash, Jeff Francisco and Alex Chiou at CEDIA Expo drew lots of interest from integrators for its unique business model in which integrators can become part owners of the company.

Jason Knott · October 11, 2013

To say the folks at The DaVinci Group (TDG) were busy at CEDIA Expo 2013might be the biggest understatement of the year.

TDG, which introduced one of the most unique business models in the industry when it launched earlier in 2013, had a slew of product introductions at the show (24 to be exact), announced its new rep organization, and continued pushing its business model that “shares the wealth” with integrators.

In the TDG business model, only 700 dealers will be able to sell the product on a factory-direct basis. Of those, 350 dealers will be offered positions to become shareholders in the company. Reps and employees will also be shareholders on a limited basis. In the aisles of CEDIA Expo, integrators were buzzing about the business model, with several interested integrators mentioning how attractive the concept of being a part-owner of TDG was to them.

The DaVinci Group management includes Daniel Kippycash, CEO and co-founder, Alex Chiou, CTO and co-founder, and Jeff Francisco, vice president of sales.  The brands within The DaVinci Group include TDG Audio, Vanguard Dynamics and Blue Aura.  The primary focus of the Ontario, Calif.-based company is architectural audio products.

“We created this model as a commitment to our dealers, partners and the custom industry,” says Kippycash. “We feel some of the industry challenges come from the fact that some manufacturers in this industry have lost focus of who and what they are. The DaVinci Group was founded by people committed to the custom channel and creating products, service, products and relationships. What better way to create change within the industry than to offer a business plan that is inclusive for our partners?”

24 New Products

“We have committed to our partners to put our money where our mouths are,” says Francisco. “Part of that commitment is execution. We want our partners to know when we show them a product they can be certain of when they can begin delivering it to their clients.”

Among the 24 new products unveiled was the X-Series of powered speakers from Blue Aura. The bookshelf, stereo tabletop and tower speakers are available in faux leather finish in Sahara and Graphite colors. “The demand for wireless products continues to grow,” adds Francisco. “Equal is the demand for high quality speakers to attach to the Sonos, Voco, Apple and even the LCD and LED display products. The new Blue Aura X-Series provides our dealers a line with outstanding performance and limited distribution.”

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The X-Series products range from bookshelf units (Model X30; MSRP $399) with Bluetooth and NFC; to a powered stereo tabletop system (Model X10; MRSP $449) with digital audio input, Bluetooth and NFC; to powered tower speakers with wireless digital audio (Model X90; MSRP $1,299).

The company also introduced two new speakers in the TDG Audio and Vanguard Dynamics lines featuring what the company says is the world’s first Dual Voice Coil Tweeter Technology for the architectural industry.

“I’ve wanted to improve the old standard of dual tweeter technology for years,” says Francisco. “We are thrilled to be able to continue our focus on designing and delivering products that are unique and improve on legacy platforms to provide improved performance for The DaVinci Group partners.”

Rep Network

TDG announced its rep distribution network for the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In the U.S., Ambassador Sales will handle Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Northern Idaho; Rybski Associates will sell in Northern California and Northern Nevada; Elite3 reps in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana; and F&B Sales will be in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Internationally, WESCO will rep the lines in United Kingdom and Perfect Pitch Marketing in Australia.

CEPro – The DaVinci Group Piques Interest in CEDIA Expo Debut