The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

54 The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Crosley and Brunswick Representatives Hold Sales Conventions in Cincinnati Crosley Eastern and Central Western Divisional and District Managers Plan for Coming Year — Brunswick Representatives Hold Annual Meeting — Business Reported to Be Increasing Cincinnati, 0., January 7. — The usual postholiday lull is disappearing rapidly and the demand for talking machines and records is increasing day by day. Taking the year 1927 as a whole, and taking the trade as a whole, the past year's business is regarded as being satisfactory. There was a good volume of holiday business and as a consequence stocks reached a very low point. Enthusiastic over business prospects for the coming year, twenty division and district managers of the Crosley Radio Corp. arrived in Cincinnati December 29 for their semi-annual conference at the Crosley factory. They represented Eastern and central Western territories. Visiting salesmen were addressed by Powel Crosley, Jr., president of the corporation. Mr. Crosley referred to 1927 as the biggest year in the history of the company, but optimistically predicted even a larger volume of sales in 1928. He gave assurance of the company's ability to successfully meet competition and maintain its reputation for giving the radio public the best possible product at the lowest possible price. Carrying out such a policy, Mr. Crosley said, he is thoroughly convinced will mean a continuation of its remarkable position in the radio field. Plans for carrying on a gigantic selling campaign during the next year were discussed, preliminary to the annual convention, which is to be held later on. Just before the first of the year representatives of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. assembled in Cincinnati for their annual meeting. Plans were made for a vigorous campaign in 1928 and the various details were explained to the men. There were, of course, the usual social affairs, including a banquet. "Although we had just announced the new 17-8 Panatrope-Radiola combination instrument, there was a wonderful holiday demand for it, and this demand is increasing rapidly," explained H. H. Sellers, assistant manager. "The past year has been the most successful one we have had," stated C. H. North, vice-president of the Ohio Talking Machine Co., Victor jobber. "We expect to make another gain in 1928, but we realize that the 'easy' days are gone and know Famous Rola Reproducer Unit Cabinet and furniture manufacturers can purchase the reproducer units used in Rola loudspeakers for installation in cabinet and console sets. Attractive quantity prices on request. Write our nearest office The Rola Company 612 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 111. 45th & Hollis Streets, Oakland, Calif. that intensive sales efforts will be necessary to make the gain," he commented. "We have had splendid results from the broadcasting of Columbia records by Station WKNC, which takes place on mornings between 9.30 and 11.30, the Columbia-Kolster machine being employed," said Miss Rose Helberg, manager of the local branch of the Columbia Phonograph Co. "Taking the past year as a whole, our talking machine sales were very satisfactory in our downtown store and in our Norwood store," stated Otto Grau, of the Otto Grau Piano Co. "We did two and one-half times more business in 1927 than we did in the preceding year, and it is hardly necessary for me to explain that we are more than well satisfied with our volume of sales," stated Morris Fantle, of the M. W. Fantle Co. At Steinway Hall, where a good-sized stock of the more expensive talking machines and records is carried in a special department, it was reported by A. W. Schu, who recently became manager of the store, that business in this line has been very satisfactory. With its recent additions, the store of the Starr Piano Co., which is Gennett headquarters,' has taken on the appearance of a combined art gallery and bazaar. The walls are covered with fine paintings, due to the fact that it is now the home of the Cincinnati art center, and in showcases there are to be seen the beautiful goods of the Gift Shop, which is operated by Miss Ruth Draysey. Another department which has just been opened up in the store is known as Biddle-Brunswick Shop, which also carries a full line of RCA sets. This department is along the west side of the room. At the rear is the Starr phonograph and Gennett record department, where complete stocks of these products are maintained. Richmond Music Trade Optimistic Regarding 1928 Richmond, Va., January 9.— Outlook for a good volume of business in the phonograph line in this territory during the new year is bright, in the opinion of representative jobbers and dealers. Expressing himself as highly pleased at results in 1927, C. E. Tincher, manager of the local branch of Stieff's, which handles the Brunswick line, is laying plans for a systematic and thorough canvass of the countryside around Richmond with a view of increasing his volume of business during the current year. Several motor trucks have been requisitioned for the purpose of carrying talking machines to homes in the rural districts to be left on trial or delivered, as the case may be. Mr. Tincher believes that this canvassing work is going to produce extra good results. Goldberg Bros., Lyric jobbers, announce that they have been working overtime bringing out some new Consolette models in this line so that they might be exhibited at the High Point, N. C, show in January. Work is proceeding apace on the new home of the Corley Co. here, which is being erected on the site of the one destroyed by fire last Fall, and the indications are that it will be ready for occupancy the latter part of the Spring or early Summer. Meanwhile the firm is doing business in temporary quarters a few doors removed from the site on Broad street. Sterchi Bros. & White, of Salem, Va., are new Victor dealers appointed by the Corley Co., distributor of this line. Joseph H. Steinbrecher, Jr., formerly manager of the retail record department of the Corley Co., is back again with this firm. He resigned last Summer to become manager of the phonograph department of Stieff's. Jose Ramos, formerly manager of Stieff's at Roanoke, is now associated with the local music store of Manly B. Ramos, operated for many years by his father, the late Manly B. Ramos. His mother, Mrs. Alice Burgess Ramos, has been carrying on the business since her husband's death. Charles J. Rey, manager of the Richmond branch of James K. Polk, Inc., distributor of Polkphones, spent the Christmas holidays at his old home in Atlanta, returning to Richmond in time to attend a conference of the sales force in the Richmond territory. The firm has introduced a new line of portables that promises to be very popular. John Cowan, who travels North Carolina and South Carolina for the James Cowan Co., of this city, is just back from a trip through that territory, reporting that business is opening up well for the new year in both States. E. W. Feltner, formerly manager of the Martin Music Store, which went out of business about a year ago, recently opened a business of his own at 325 North Adams street, known as the Adams Street Music Co. He is handling the Victor machines and several lines of records. Chicago Dealers Using the "Abox Girl" Window Display Display Stand Provided by Abox Co., Maker of Abox Eliminator, Used by Eighty-six Chicago Retailers in Less Than a Month "The Abox Girl," shown in a display stand which has played an important part in the campaign of the Abox Co., Chicago, appeared in the window displays of eighty-six dealers Using the "Abox Girl" in a Window in the City of Chicago in less than one month. The Abox Co., which manufactures Abox "A" battery eliminators, taking cognizance of the fact that eleven seconds is the average time a passer-by will devote to stopping and looking at a window display, designed a sales help which has proved its value in a very short period of time. The "Abox Girl" is posed in the act of putting the Abox "A" eliminator in the battery compartment of the radio cabinet, suggesting convenience and simplicity of operation and dramatizing the entire story of the Abox product. In co-operation with the Tay Sales Co., Abox distributor in Chicago, eighty-six dealer window displays were designed and placed on view within three weeks' time, each dealer utilizing different ideas and display schemes. In the accompanying illustration the Abox Girl is shown placing the Abox eliminator in a Sonora receiving set. Displays similar to the one pictured herewith appeared in many Chicago stores, including the Witzel Music House, O. R. Martin Co., the Benson Music Shop and Shalek's Music Shop. The display has also been used as an "over-night" display, just inside the store door, with a spotlight playing upon the "Abox Girl," eliminator and radio. New Store in Omaha A new music store was recently opened at 1415 Farnam street, Omaha, Neb., by V. L. Rolin. A complete line of Brunswick Pana^ropes, records and Radiolas is carried. Mr. Rolin was formerly connected with several of the leading music stores in Omaha.