Companies such as Marshall and Gibson are becoming increasingly less reliant on revenue from their core MI market, diversifying into the consumer electronics market and elsewhere with their brands. Is this right for the future of the industry?
Reports suggest that 75 per cent of Gibson Brands (tellingly, it dropped Gibson Guitars a little while back) revenue is now from outside of the guitar market, while UK amp giant Marshall is taking its brand into all sorts of new areas such as mobile phones and sunglasses, even fridges. Does such manoeuvring cheapen and dilute the brands or is it vital for the future survival of large companies struggling to surivive in a dwindling market. Not all of Gibson’s new diversification comes under the Gibson brand – much of it is in the acquisition of consumer electronics companies such as TEAC, Onkyo and Cerwin Vega. Smart move or selling out its heritage?
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And if you have any poll questions you would like us to ask email rdungan@mmrmagazine.com
