NEWS
( L-R ) SFM ’ s John Kelley , Alvarez / SLM ’ s Chris Meikle & SFM ’ s Erik Lind
SFM Now Distributing Alvarez Guitars in Canada
Alvarez has teamed with SFM to oversee distribution in Canada .
“ We ’ re thrilled to be working with SFM ,” says Chris Meikle , head of development at Alvarez and senior VP of St . Louis Music , about the arrangement . “ Canada is a really important market for Alvarez and we ’ re very happy to be working work with one of the country ’ s leading MI distributors . SFM have a great track record in the distribution and brand building of acoustic guitars and will do a fantastic job with Alvarez .”
“ We are beyond excited to be Alvarez ’ s new distributor in Canada ,” says John Kelley , GM of SFM ’ s MI business unit . “ The Alvarez and Yairi brands have been core to the fabric of the acoustic guitar market for decades , and the company ’ s approach to design , quality , and continued innovation is highly respected around the world . Alvarez is a natural fit alongside the other premium guitar-oriented brands that we distribute .”
For more information , contact SFM : 514-780-2070 , FAX 514-780-2111 , info @ sfm . ca , www . sfm . ca .
… Roland Canada has expanded Olivier Potvin ’ s sales territory to all of Eastern Canada . In August 2016 , Potvin joined Roland as the sales rep for Eastern Quebec . As of Jan . 1 st , his territory includes Eastern Quebec , Newfoundland , Nova Scotia , New Brunswick , and Prince Edward Island .
For more information , contact Roland Canada : 604-270-6626 , FAX 877-270-6552 , www . roland . ca .
Steve Knowles Named VP of Erikson Music & Korg Canada
JAM Industries has announced the appointment of Steve Knowles to the position of VP of the Erikson Music and Korg Canada divisions .
Knowles has worked for JAM Industries for over 15 years and previously held the position of GM of Korg Canada . During his tenure as GM , the company says he demonstrated a propensity for implementing processes to facilitate procedures and has acquired the necessary knowledge to take the department and his team to the next level .
For more information , contact JAM Industries : 514- 457-2555 , www . jamindustries . com .
Steve Knowles
Executive Shuffle at Roland Canada
Roland Canada has announced that Brian Dupas , formerly the company ’ s VP of sales , has been promoted to president and CEO . This move follows the promotion of Paul McCabe to the newly-created position of VP of overseas marketing with Roland Corporation .
Over the past 30 years , Dupas has held many roles with Roland Canada , moving his
Roland Canada ’ s new Pres . & CEO Brian Dupas
way through the positions of BC sales representative , inside sales manager , executive sales manager , and his most recent role of VP of sales , which he has held for the past five years .
Of his recent appointment , Dupas says , “ I ’ m excited to be taking on the role of president and CEO of Roland Canada . We have a well-established company with top people on staff and a lengthy list of highly valued business partners . This is an exciting time for Roland in general as we plan to roll out a full year of new and innovative products while tuning up our marketing to drive customers into your stores . I look forward to seeing many of you as I travel Canada this year .”
Paul McCabe , former president and CEO of Roland Canada , moves into the newly created position of VP of overseas marketing with Roland Corporation . In this new role , McCabe oversees marketing in North America , South America , Europe , Australia , the Middle East , and Africa .
For more information , contact Roland Canada : 604-270-6626 , FAX 877-270-6552 , www . roland . ca .
H t
For 2017 Survey
69 %
44 %
think guitars & related products will create the most buzz in the industry this year while 31 % think it will be home recording gear & related products
think home recording gear sales will continue to rise
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CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE