Stillwater Designs, manufacturer of KICKER products, recently awarded Gem-Sen as International Distributor-of-the-Year representing the Americas, for its outstanding record in sales and customer service. Stillwater Designs recognizes its best distributors from around the world annually for their hard work and dedication.

“They consistently go above and beyond just supplying product,” said Bart Deal, KICKER Director of International Sales. “They help the Canadian retailers market and promote to better serve the consumer.”

Gem-Sen, located in Concord, Ontario, has been going above and beyond for more than 10 years, creating a better overall experience for the consumer, according to Stillwater Designs.

Stillwater Designs recognizes each member of the Gem-Sen crew (Dave Singh, Melissa Mastrogiacomo, Mike Danbrook and Mike O’Connor) as a shining example of marketing prowess, and KICKER is grateful to Gem-Sen and its continuing dedication to the brand’s slogan and motto, “Livin’ Loud.”  

Consumers needing more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.

STILLWATER, USA – KICKER®, the audio brand produced by Stillwater Designs® of Stillwater, Oklahoma, is pleased to announce the Crossover Marketing Group (Portland, Ore.) as its newest Sales Representative firm in the Pacific Northwest. They will service authorized KICKER dealers in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

“We wanted a firm that focused on KICKER and wanted to concentrate on forging deep relationships with KICKER dealers in the region,” said Tracy Focht, KICKER’s Western Regional Sales Manager. “Crossover is extremely relationship driven. They are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with retailers.”

Focusing on quality over quantity, Crossover Marketing principal Rob Sutton is committed to a select line card and defining his company’s direction as “an old-school approach with a 21st-century back end.” Sutton said he believes representing KICKER is something to aspire to, highlighting the people as much as keeping the brand’s 51-year legacy flourishing.

“I managed reps for decades,” Sutton said. “We want to reinvigorate what we think reps should do. That means no pressure – a true partnership that focuses on being there for the dealer. We will provide a personal touch to as many people as we can. It’s about service.”

“I’ve gotten to know Rob over the past year,” Focht said. “He has decades of 12-volt experience at the manufacturer, distribution, and retail levels, plus his reputation is second to none. After listening to the dealers and how excited they are, Crossover was the natural choice.”

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc., are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.

STILLWATER, USA – As a result of industry-wide announcements from manufacturers, and the subsequent requests to management regarding possible pricing adjustments to KICKER® products, Stillwater Designs® is releasing the following statement:

As a result of federal tariffs imposed months ago, and in line with previous statements from company administration, Stillwater Designs will ultimately be forced to make some pricing adjustments on its KICKER products and has scheduled them to occur in January 2019.

Stillwater Designs has long been aware of the stress that changing prices could have on KICKER authorized dealers, distributors and consumers, and is very sensitive to this important issue. During November and December, we will continue to formulate the best plan going forward to ease the burden of these changes on our dealers and their customers in the upcoming year. 

In the meantime, we will continue to keep heavy inventory stock on hand through the holidays to cover our current KICKER sales promotions and dealer incentives.  Despite our current circumstances, KICKER customers can be assured that we will have their best interests in mind as we develop a viable plan that will work for everyone involved.

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.

STILLWATER, USA – Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.® d/b/a KICKER® (“KICKER”) reached a settlement with Josha26, Inc. d/b/a as Discounts Jungle (“Discounts Jungle”) who was a defendant in a gray-market litigation that KICKER filed in August of 2017 in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. Discounts Jungle was engaging in the unauthorized distribution and sale of KICKER products. 

KICKER sought injunctive relief and monetary damages for Discounts Jungle’s improper sale of KICKER products. In its complaint, KICKER asserted claims for trademark infringement, tortious interference with contract and/or business relations, as well as unfair and deceptive trade practices.

As part of the settlement, amongst other things, the dealer was forced to cease all distribution and sale of KICKER Products.

“KICKER is committed to supporting our authorized partners and protecting our loyal customer base,” said Rob Limbaugh, KICKER Vice President, Business Development. “We’re committed to aggressively pursuing unauthorized resellers who use improper means to obtain KICKER products and sell them through unauthorized channels.”

KICKER has invested in its Authorized Distribution Network and requires resellers of its products to apply and be authorized by KICKER. Authorized KICKER Dealers must execute an agreement regulating the manner in which they sell. Resellers who have not applied and have not been approved by KICKER are strictly prohibited from selling KICKER products. Further, the KICKER manufacturer’s warranty is only valid on KICKER products purchased from Authorized KICKER Dealers. KICKER systematically identifies and shuts down unauthorized resellers. 

The program benefits KICKER and its authorized dealers in a number of ways. It ensures the protection of KICKER’s online brand presence and the elimination of free-riding by unauthorized, discount and gray-market retailers who provide little to no product service or expertise. 

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc., are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.