Retailers Visit KICKER for Inaugural Dealer Council

STILLWATER, USA – With several informative meetings during the day and fun activities scheduled for after dark, six authorized retailers from across the U.S. attended the inaugural KICKER Dealer Council to provide insight into market needs. The meetings took place here at KICKER World Headquarters last Wednesday and Thursday.
“We got a chance to view our brand through our dealers’ and customers’ eyes,” Domestic Sales Director Jeff Peters said. “The six dealers represent a broad representation of the KICKER dealer network, from single-store specialty retailers to Best Buy that encompasses 1,100-plus store fronts.”
The six retailers were Don Fleury (Creative Car Audio chain in Missouri), Frank Lozano (Brandsmart chain in Florida), Brian Layton (Sound FX in Lewes, Delaware), Doug Tessman (Best Buy Corporate Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota), Allyn Volden (Al’s Creative Autosound in Pueblo, Colorado) and Jeff Fay (Crutchfield in Charlottesville, Virginia).
During the 2-day meetings, the main topics of discussion were whether KICKER is delivering a clear and consistent message to the market, and if KICKER is fulfilling the expectations of the message with the products and services it provides. Dealers were also allowed to present a topic of their own choice to discuss within the context of the Council. Several other subjects were covered as well.
These topics were discussed in “product-centric” and “marketing-centric” forums, Peters said.
“I think the Dealer Council provided an excellent cross-section of KICKER aftermarket distribution,” Global Marketing Director Kevin Campbell said. “We came to listen rather than pontificate and we were rewarded with lots of genuine feedback in an intimate setting that will help us understand what we’ve been doing that works, and what we’ve been doing that we need to consider changing.”
During the meeting period, they were given a tour of the KICKER facilities by President Steve Irby and Special Products Manager Kip Litsey. On Wednesday the group spent time watching the national television broadcast of the KICKER Big Air Bash on Versus. The visitors were also taken to Oklahoma City for an NBA basketball game one evening.
“It appears that all members enjoyed their visit and found it productive,” Peters said. “We hope to make this an annual event.”
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized dealers worldwide, and also through selected Original Equipment Manufacturers. Consumers needing more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand Web site at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER at facebook.com/kickeraudio and twitter.com/kickeraudio.