Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan-Dec 1951)

11 GE's receiver sales chief Arthur A. Brandt stated price-holding policy was formally adopted because "price uncertainties in a few lines are creating a depressing effect on all segments of the industry." Purpose is not only to stabilize the market but protect distributors and dealers, he stated, and he predicted: "Despite the fact that TV sets are in plentiful supply at this time, curtailed production will catch up v/ith the industry later in the year when the full impact of material restrictions is felt by manufacturers." S|< DuMont sales chief Walter Stickel told Bviffalo group April 29 that defense limitation orders must inevitably cut TV production • — forecast best rate of output rest of this year would not exceed 60% or 65% of 1950's fourth quarter peak rate. By sheer coincidence, his line of reasoning seemed to follow closely that of Philco's Jack Otter and other Philco executives in recent trade talks; shortages are coming, current slump is no reason for panic and in many respects seasonal . talk of "saturated markets" comes only from "weak sisters" among field men and dealers, period of stress affords chance "to separate the men from the boys." Dr. DuMont says his plant is now producing "no more sets than we can sell." Admiral's Ross Siragusa sees pickup by end of third quarter. Motorola's Robert Galvin said production is now down about 35%, thought third quarter may revert to first quarter's pace. Olympic's Percy Schoenen v/asn't quite that optimistic, thought third quarter will continue low but fourth should be better even than fourth quarter 1950; he feels time will alleviate current condition, also is convinced that shortages impend and plans no new models in June or July. Tele-tone's Morton Schwartz attributes current troubles to overexpansion of plants, thinks next big sales push should be second sets in homes. Another manufacturer said he would have color sets coming off lines in September if Supreme Court renders decision before June favoring CBS system. To dealers, NARDA v.p. H. B. Price Jr., head of Price's Inc., Norfolk, offered this advice at appliance dealer confab in Wilmington May 2; "Stop buying. Don't buy until you need merchandise for sales — not anticipated sales." He urged lowered sights on volume, advised; "It is reasonable to expect a shortage of certain models of popular brands, but don't stock up planning another killing; take smaller volume and sleep nights." He even had good word for manufacturers; "Their only sin was aggressive selling." Trade Personals: Edward F. Harbison, recently chief of guided missiles plans, Air Materiel Command, Wright Field, Dayton, appointed mgr. of new Pacific Coast office for Philco’s Govt. & Industrial Division, located at 260 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, Cal. . . . John Ward Dawson, ex-Stanford Research Institute, named chief engineer of Electi'onics Div., Sylvania . . . George O. Smith, well known as science-fiction writer, during last war writer of manuals for National Defense Research Council, named by Emerson as mgr. of components engineering . . . Anthony Dillon, recently with Olsen & Co., Philadelphia DuMont distributor, has rejoined Air King as field sales mgr. . . . B. G. Hickman. TV-iadio service mgr., promoted to asst, sales mgr., Sparks-Withington. Largest theatrc-TV purchase yet was announced this week by United Paramount Theatres, which ordered 22 systems for installation by fall. RCA got 20 orders, and Paramount Pictures (which uses intei-mediate-film equipment) got 2. Theatres into which installations are going will be mainly in Midwe.st. This will bring to 27 number of IIPT house:; with large-screen installations; i)iesent ones l)cing New Yoid; Paianiount, Chicago Slate-Lake and Tivoli, Detioit Michigan, Minneapolis Radio City. It will bring to more than 40 number of theatre-TV installations throughout country. Plant Expansions: Webster-Chicago considering new office-plant building sites in Chicago area, but won’t move right away; executive v.p. C. P. Cushway told stockholders meeting May 1 that company currently has $2,000,000 in war contracts . . . Wilcox-Gay has leased 85,000 sq. ft. factory in Burbank, Cal., to produce TVs, radios, recording products, etc. . . . Tracerlab Inc., Boston, nucleonic instruments, has leased 20,000 ft. of manufacturing space for assembly of electronic equipment . . . Lewyt Corp., Brooklyn, plans new $3,800,000 plant in Nassau County, Long Island, for military electronic production, covering about 250,000 sq. ft., employing 2000 . . . GE will triple Syracuse electronics laboratory. May 4 announcement stating new 2-story wing to start this month will increase space from 33,000 to 101,000 sq. ft. National TV-radio set and station ads last year brought $22,760,000 in revenue to newspapers, 78.49c increase over $12,756,000 in 1949, acocrding to ANPA report. This included: set advertising $16,507,000, up 98.99o from $8,300,000 in 1949; station ads $6,097,000, up 39.491, from $4,373,000; miscellaneous $156,000, iij) 889i from $83,0U0. TV-i'adio set advertising showed biggest increase of any category on publishers’ list. Total national newspaper advertising amounted to $499,019,000 in 1950, up 12.1% from $445,015,000 in 1949.