PROdUcTS - Music & Sound Retailer

Sennheiser Presents rSA
Program To retailers
Sennheiser has announced that its Recording Sound
Academy (RSA) program is now available to its entire
network of authorized retailers. The program, which requires
no monetary investment or stocking inventory on
behalf of the retailer, enables MI and pro audio retailers
to offer a comprehensive suite of learning resources to
aspiring musicians, engineers and producers—including
a series of exclusive webinars led by Grammy-winning
producers and engineers. Through the program, consumers
are also able to interact with the engineers to
gain valuable tips and feedback on their mixes.
To participate in Sennheiser’s RSA program, retailers
receive a unique code that can be distributed to customers
via direct mail, in-store promotion, e-mail or product shipments,
and other communications. once customers enter the code and
payment on the RSA Web site, a credit is passed to the dealer and the
customer can begin leveraging a treasure trove of content, including
live and archived webinars, blogs and tutorial videos.
Customers also receive CuBase 5lE mixing software and several
raw tracks of music from “American Idol” star Bo Bice, which were
recorded with Neumann and Sennheiser microphones. Customers can
upload up to two mixes for evaluation (one from the provided tracks
and the other of their own choosing, such as an
original composition) and receive a critique by
one of the RSA’s award-winning engineers.
Customers can sign up for the program for $99
with a dealer promo code (which includes a $30
customer discount), and Sennheiser provides
as many postcards as the dealer requires containing
individual retailer codes, as well as PoP
displays—all free of charge. Sennheiser also provides
Web banners with the dealer code embedded,
so retailers can promote RSA through social
media and online avenues; each click that results
in an RSA signup is then credited to the dealer.
Retailers can distribute their codes any way they
like—when a consumer uses the code during
purchase, credit is automatically associated with the retailer, making
it a simple, paperless transaction. Since there is no physical inventory
involved, there is never a shortage of product.
RSA borrows instructional elements from Sennheiser’s on-site Recording
Sound Academy seminars, such as tips and instruction on microphone
selection and placement, recording and mixing techniques. Membership
in RSA also includes access to RSA webinars, which feature instruction by
accomplished producers and engineers on a variety of recording topics,
and also feature a thorough Q&A session with the instructor.
QSC Audio launches QSCtraining.com
QSC Audio Products has launched QSCtraining.com, a Web site presenters, real-world demonstrations and engaging 3D animations.
that offers an interactive look into the products and technologies that Unlike training Web sites where user information or registration is
make QSC products a desirable choice among professional customers. required to gain entry to content, QSCtraining.com is open to the pub-
QSCtraining.com features training courses and product presentations, lic and free of charge. All the training courses on the site are non-linear
as well as instructional videos and podcasts, created to assist custom- and fully searchable. For example, a user can take an entire course to
ers all over the world with the latest information and updates on the full become certified on the Q-Sys Integrated System Platform, or choose
line of QSC products and solutions, including loudspeakers, amplifiers, to search individual modules for help on a specific Q-Sys component.
networking and signal processing. online tests and assessments based
on the course material give users feedback, while also rating comprehension
of the material they have just learned.
All the site’s training modules were designed with form and function
in mind. The downloadable sales presentations are designed with
Prezi (a new interactive presentation tool) and are available in multiple
languages. The training videos feature a combination of QSC expert
NAMM Announces Top 100 Dealers
NAMM recently announced the Top 100 Dealers of music products
and instruments in the United States. The awards were presented to
the top music merchants from across the country during the organization’s
annual summer music products trade show, Summer NAMM,
held in Nashville TN, on July 13. In addition to the Top 100, NAMM
recognized the Dealer of the Year and retail winners in a dozen other
categories at the event. For the winners in each respective category,
check out this issue’s Summer NAMM cover story.
For the Top 100 Dealers, music product retailers were judged by
a panel of impartial expert judges selected by, but not otherwise
affiliated with, NAMM. They used a numeric rating on the following
criteria: show a clear understanding that the success of a retail store
is directly related to customer satisfaction; provide a retail experience
worth returning for and recommending others to; design a floor plan,
merchandising and marketing that encourages repeat sales; prepare
for future success with sound planning, marketing and training initiatives;
and use the Web and social media in engaging, effective ways.
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