The talking machine world (July-Dec 1924)

The Talking Machine World Vol. 20. No. 12 New York, December J 5, 1924 Price Twenty-five Cents Victor Talking Machine Go. Announces Modification of Record Release Plan New Plan, Which Becomes Effective January 2, Includes Weekly Release of Timely Records Only With Monthly Supplementary Release, Consisting of Standard and Red Seal Numbers The Victor Talking Machine Co. on December 3 announced the general modification of its plan for new record issues that should prove of distinct interest to both Victor wholesalers and dealers, in that it is based upon a close observation of existing weekly record release systems as well as suggestions offered to the company by the members of the trade. The new modified plan, which becomes effective with the new record issue of Friday, January 2, provides for the weekly issue each Friday of two or three timely records only, supplemented by a monthly issue of new records on the last Friday of each month which will include in addition to the current weekly issue a selected list of standard and Red Seal numbers, together with listings of all weekly records issued since the last supplement. A number of records to be issued monthly will be issued on the basis of sales possibilities. The advertising of the Victor Co. in the newspapers will continue to present the new weekly issues, and at the proper time also the monthly releases. An attractive window card listing new records will be supplied each week to dealers and there will also be issued a monthly hanger similar to the one now in use. This monthly hanger will list the monthly releases as well . as the weekly releases of the period. The weekly mailing card featuring new records will be discontinued, but ready-made advertisements suitable for post-card printing will be furnished to those dealers who desire them. The entire new, or modified, record release plan was outlined to the trade by the Victor Co. in a special letter reading in part as follows: "The plan of issuing new records on Friday of each week has been in operation a sufficient length of time to prove its practicability and advantages. Our observations and the opinions of the trade communicated to us through our representatives lead to the conclusion that the plan can be made more effective, and simplify the problems of the dealer by the following modifications, which will be made effective with the new record issue of Friday, January 2. New Records Each Friday "The weekly issue of Friday will consist of two or three timely records only. These will be records having a general sales appeal and timeliness. If any selection or selections become popular in your community prior to the date set for general issue, we shall be glad to give careful consideration to requests for advance shipment. Monthly Issues "There will be a monthly issue of new records on the last Friday of each month, unless the first of the following month falls on Friday, in which case the latter will become the opening sale date for the monthly issue. "This monthly issue will include the current weekly issue of two or three timely records and a well balanced list of standard and Red Seal numbers, together with listings of all weekly records issued since the last monthly supplement. "The number of records issued monthly will be determined on a basis of sales possibilities, bearing in mind the best interests of the trade. Newspaper Advertising "The newspapers in which we regularly advertise will contain suitable advertisements of new record issues on Thursday and Friday of each week. This weekly advertisement in addition to strong presentation of the new records will, from time to time, also feature — in certain cities — such records previously issued as may then have particular popularity in those respective localities. "The advertisement which appears simultaneously with our monthly issue will list all records it contains and in addition will include all records presented in the general weekly issues of the previous month. Trade Service "The present schedule of advance notices of new issues and the shipment of sample records will not be disturbed. "The weekly mailing card, featuring new records, will be discontinued, but for those dealers who have found a weekly " mailing of notices of the new issues indispensable we will supply in the usual way ready-made advertisements suitable for postal card printing. "An attractive window card listing the new records will be supplied each week. This card will be of convenient size so that it can be packed and shipped with records. "A monthly hanger similar to the one in use at present will be supplied. This will list the new monthly records and recapitulate the weekly records issued during the previous month. "We will continue to issue each month an attractive supplement to the catalog which will be shipped at the time of the monthly issue. This will list the new monthly records and will also feature the preceding weekly records with annotations. It will also contain a recapitulation of all records issued subsequent to the last general catalog as at present." In presenting the modified plan the company expresses belief that it will simplify the dealer's problem both in the ordering and exploitation of new records, and also increased sales, through giving him the timely records at weekly intervals and affording him a full month in which to exploit standard and Red Seal selections. "Bob" MacGlellan to Cover Southwestern Territory For the Radio Division of the Th. Goldschmidt Corp., of New York City Brunswick Go. Takes Over Boston Wholesale Branch J. B. Price, sales and advertising manager of the radio division of the Th. Goldschmidt Corp., New York, N. Y., manufacturer of the N & K loud speaker, head phones and phonograph units, announced this week the appointment of Kraft, Bates & Spencer Discontinue Distribution of Brunswick — Factory Branch to Be Maintained — Harry L. Spencer in Charge "Bob" MacClellan "Bob" MacClellan as district manager for the Southwest territory, with headquarters at the company's executive offices, 15 William street, New York. Mr. MacClellan is now visiting the trade in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, and the results of his work to date are very gratifying. In connection with his activities in the Southwest territory Mr. MacClellan will visit jobbers in all of the leading trade centers, paying particular attention to furthering the interests of music jobbers handling the N & K products. He will also call upon the leading dealers, giving them all of the time necessary in behalf of the profitable merchandising of the N & K lines. Mr. MacClellan is co-operating with the jobbers to excellent advantage, devoting considerable time to the jobbers' sales organizations in order to give the wholesaler every possible form of service and assistance in building up a profitable, permanent business. Boston, Mass., December 8. — The important news in talking machine circles this month is the announcement that beginning the first of the new year the business of Brunswick machines and radiolas will be handled by the BrunswickBalke-Collender Co., of Chicago. This means that the well-known Boston house of Kraft, Bates & Spencer, which had been jobbers for the Brunswick line for a number of years, will discontinue handling the talking machines, records and radiolas of this big Chicago concern and the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. will thereafter maintain a direct factory branch at 80 Kingston street, which has been the address of the Kraft, Bates & Spencer Co. for nearly two years past. This new branch will be under the personal supervision of Harry L. Spencer, who has long been with the Kraft, Bates & Spencer concern and is the elder son of the senior member of the firm. He is thoroughly conversant with the Brunswick business. Boston, it seems, is the only city in the country in which the Brunswick Co. has not operated its own branch. It is understood that as an incident to this change the firm of Kraft, Bates & Spencer will cease to function as a phonograph wholesaler. See second last page for Index of Articles of Interest in this issue New Edison Distributing Company in Kansas City On December 1 announcement was made of the formation of the Edison Phonograph Distributing Co., of Kansas City. This concern has been organized to conduct the Edison jobbing business formerly done by the Phonograph Co. of Kansas City, and Shulz Bros., of Omaha, Nebr. The new jobbing organization will make its headquarters exclusively at Kansas City and will be operated as a subsidiary of Thos. A. Edison, Inc., with Clarence L. Smith as acting manager. Mr. Smith was assistant manager to the former manager of the Kansas City company and has had considerable experience and success as a traveling representative for the Edison business in the Middle Western territory to be served by the new company. of The World