With Increased Car Kit Sales and Twelve New Product Introductions, Parrot
Inc. ends 2007 on a high note
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Parrot, Inc., the U.S.
subsidiary of Paris-based Parrot SA, announced today that 2007 was its best
year yet. The company's increased sales revenue was primarily due to a
growing demand for its hands-free Bluetooth(R) car kits, but company
officials expect its new multimedia line of digital picture frames and
wireless speaker systems to start gaining traction in the U.S. market and
support continued gains in 2008.
"To 'parrot' Frank Sinatra, it was a very good year," says Ed Valdez,
president and COO, Parrot, Inc. "Our retailers and dealers report that
audio quality, universal phone compatibility and brand recognition are the
key factors driving sales and helping differentiate Parrot from competitive
brands."
The company also added several connectivity options to its new wireless
stereo speaker systems and digital product lines including SD card, USB
port, RCA jacks and iPod(R) connectors. Parrot expects these expanded
options to assist sales in its growing multimedia line.
New Customers
Helping Parrot achieve its sales gains were the addition of some major
new retailers in 2007.
"All of our customers -- large and small -- reported increased volumes
of Parrot's car kits being sold throughout 2007," says Valdez, "There is no
question, however, that the additions of Best Buy and Circuit City were key
tipping points. Even though both retailers only had our car kit line for
half of the year, they finished 2007 very strong."
Parrot, in addition, added and expanded its business with market
leaders such as 6th Avenue Electronics and P.C. Richard & Son in the
Northeast, Car Toys in the West, and Mickey Shorr in the North Central,
among many others.
Distributors, Reps Played a Key Role
Parrot singled out three of its distributors -- M. Rothman & Company,
Tessco Technologies, and Superior Communications -- for special recognition
for their contribution to its sales success in 2007 and named each
"Distributor of the Year" for the Eastern, Central and Western Regions,
respectively. In addition, manufacturer reps have played a key role and
they too have been recognized. Named "Rep of the Year" were Opus Marketing,
AR Marketing and Rep America for the East, Central and West sales regions,
respectively.
"We couldn't have had the success we had in 2007 without the pivotal
assistance of our distributors and reps," said Valdez. "As they know, we
run a very lean organization and they play a strategic role in our
continued growth."
12 New Products Launched in 2007
In 2007, Parrot continued its tradition of launching numerous new
products in both its car kit and multimedia lines. In fact, Parrot launched
twelve new products in 2007 in the U.S. -- one a month -- including a
corporate-style conference speaker phone, three new digital picture frames,
three new car kits, a hands-free kit for motorcyclists and four new stereo
speaker units.
This year, Parrot concentrated on offering a greater choice of
connectivity options and versatility to its consumers. Its new digital
frames, the DF7120 and DF3120, both accept photos via Bluetooth(R), SD
card, or USB. The company also added connectivity options to is digital
stereo products; its DS1120 plays music via streaming Bluetooth(R) stereo
(AD2P) or traditional line-in jack, while its DS3120 allows users to stream
music via Bluetooth(R) stereo (AD2P), USB, SD card and traditional line-in
jack.
Parrot also added greater choice of connectivity to its car kit line so
drivers can easily sync their portable devices while on the go. It's latest
addition, the RK8200 car stereo, plays music through a vehicle's sound
system by streaming Bluetooth(R) stereo, USB, SD card, MP3 connector,
iPod(R) specific connector, or tradition line-in jack.
Looking forward: New Technologies, Increased Sales
Parrot expects sales for its car kits range and multimedia line to
continue to increase as the company rolls out more products in 2008.
"You can expect more innovation and continued customer satisfaction in
2008," says Valdez. "We think it will be another very good year for Parrot
in the U.S. We don't expect the market to soften very much and with more
consumers wanting to use their portable devices while on the go, we see the
potential for greater penetration in car kits across the U.S."
Recently, at the Consumer Electronic Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Parrot
presented its Near Field Communications (NFC) products for trial and
showcased the world's first MMS digital picture frame. NFC products allow
wireless devices to pair with each other nearly automatically while the
Parrot MMS digital frame allows cell phones to transmit pictures to a frame
from anywhere in the world.
"If you can send a text message," said Valdez, "you can send a photo
with our newest frame technology, and the procedure is the same. It will be
incredible to watch a photo appear on your frame of your newest grandchild
sent half way across the world, or of your kids on their honeymoon wherever
they might be. The possibilities are endless."
This MMS frame, the Parrot DF7700, was launched in late 2007 with
French telecom Bouygues, and will be seen in the U.S. market in 2008.
ABOUT PARROT
Founded in 1994, Parrot has rapidly established itself as a pivotal
global player for wireless mobile telephone accessories. Drawing on its
tried-and- tested expertise on voice recognition and signal processing
technologies, Parrot was one of the very first companies to produce
Bluetooth(R)-based wireless hands free car kits, having identified this
standard's vast potential as early as 1999. In 2006, Parrot sold about 3
million units. Determined to accompany the wireless peripherals'
irresistible breakthrough into our day-to- day lives, Parrot has been
developing since 2006 a new wireless range of sound and image products.
Today, Parrot truly has a major international focus: 90.5% of its sales
are generated outside of France, and a large percentage of its production
is outsourced to carefully selected partners, enabling it to achieve the
best possible level of quality and responsiveness. Parrot is now
particularly well positioned to capitalize on the bright future opening up
for mobile telephone devices. Parrot has achieved strong growth in its
consolidated revenues, up from 80.9 million Euros pro forma in 2005 to
166.9 million Euros in 2006.
http://www.parrot.com
Euronext Paris - Eurolist, Compartiment B: FR0004038263 - PARRO
(C) The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG,
Inc. and any use of such marks by Parrot S.A. is under license.
(C) Parrot trademarks and logo figuring on this document are the
exclusive propriety of Parrot SA.
Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
SOURCE Parrot, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.parrot.com
CONTACT:
Jacquelyn Messer, +1-212-871-3952,
jacquelyn.messer@text100.com, or Mike Hedge, cell,
+1-248-789-8976, mike.hedge@parrot.com of Parrot
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