Sound and Communications - February 2008 Issue

NEWSLETTER
GIBSON GUITAR AND TC GROUP PLAN MERGER
Gibson Guitar Corp. (Nashville TN) and TC Group (Risskov, Denmark) have a preliminary agreement to
merge, Gibson Guitar chairman/CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and TC Group CEO Anders Fauerskov announced
at the NAMM Show in Anaheim CA. Under the merger terms, Fauerskov will remain based in
Europe and serve as COO of the new combined Gibson Guitar Corp. The two companies expect to finalize
the deal by the end of February. Terms remain undisclosed.
According to Juszkiewicz, “The synergy between the two companies will allow us an enormous advantage
in the development of new audio technologies.” Visit www.gibson.com or www.tcgroup.tc for more.
CHYRON ACQUIRES AXIS GRAPHICS, LAUNCHES ONLINE DIV.
Chyron (Melville NY) has launched Chyron Online, a new division the foundation for which is the
acquisition of AXIS Graphics (New York NY), a proprietary web-based graphics system involved with
online graphics production. The combined organization provides the ability to produce higher quality
graphics more quickly. “Chyron Online now significantly expands Chyron’s core addressable markets
beyond the traditional broadcast arena, to include websites, newspapers, radio stations, mobile
phones and digital signage globally,” commented Chyron CEO Michael Wellesley-Wesley. Chyron
Online will provide an array of web-based services customized to each client’s brand.
“The acquisition of AXIS Graphics will enhance Chyron’s business around the world. Not only does
the AXIS technology integrate with our broadcast products, it instantly expands our reach to include
non-broadcast clients like newspapers, radio stations, mobile phone and digital media producers, and
anyone producing content for the internet….I believe that, in the future, this will be viewed as a
major milestone in the development of digital graphics creation and workflow. We launch our Online
division with over 150 television station clients and, with AXIS, we are able to address a wide array
of new growth markets around the world,” he added.
FUJITSU DEPARTS PLASMA MARKET SPACE
Japan’s Fujitsu group will halt plasma television production because of diminished profitability, despite
the company being the first in the world to introduce the technology commercially. Sales of plasma
models have not been keeping pace with LCD (liquid crystal display) sales. Fujitsu General Ltd., a
subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd., already has ceased most plasma TV production. At present, it only makes
high-end models sold in limited outlets. In a statement, Fujitsu General noted, “During the past several
years, the pricing and profitability of this segment has compressed beyond the point which our company
could realize a satisfactory return on investment.” Intentions were announced to depart the
business by March and focus on the Fujitsu unit’s heating and ventilation equipment business.
Fujitsu General was the global pioneer in plasma TV sales in the early 1990s, following more than 20
years of research. In 2005, Fujitsu surrendered its major plasma operation, turning over to Hitachi
Ltd. control of a joint venture enterprise. For additional information, visit www.fujitsu.com.
BARIX, DIGIGRAM PARTNER ON ETHERSOUND INITIATIVE
Barix AG (Zurich, Switzerland) is partnering with Digigram (Montbonnot, France) to bring
EtherSound, a digital audio transport technology, to new markets, including security, transportation
and other public-address applications. Digigram has recognized Barix as a launch partner for the
technology, with Barix implementing Digigram’s ES-100/spkr technology within its Exstreamer IP
audio decoders and IPAM modules for OEM partnerships.
The ES-100/spkr, a variant of the network audio standard EtherSound, enables manufacturers to
implement EtherSound in new devices for less cost while keeping typical EtherSound control and
administration features when a fully featured ES-100 or ES-Giga implementation is not required.
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February 2008
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