CEDIA Expands Key Brand-Building Initiative

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) is expanding one of its key referral business and consumer brand-building initiatives — Electronic Lifestyles® magazine — by producing and distributing two complete issues of the high-quality publication this year. According to CEDIA Executive Director Don Gilpin, the publication is one of the most important vehicles for communicating messages regarding CEDIA member companies and the value of hiring a CEDIA-Certified electronic systems contractor.

“Electronic Lifestyles® is a valuable tool for reaching out to consumers and referral businesses such as architects, builders and interior designers,” Gilpin said. “In addition to sending it directly to members, industry partners and trade shows, we are testing placing Electronic Lifestyles® in plastic surgeon offices as a means of getting specialized market segments excited about residential electronic systems and driving preference for hiring a CEDIA member.”

The winter 2008 issue includes full-color photos and descriptions of winning entries from CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles® Awards, which are considered the most prestigious industry recognition program for residential electronic systems. The awards categories range in price from $40,000 installations to residential electronic systems costing more than $800,000. The electronic magazine can be downloaded free of cost or ordered at www.cedia.org/elmag/

The newly created second issue will include more editorial content and showcase homes that demonstrate the latest trends in custom installation, such as “green” systems, media servers, retrofit solutions, and new products and technologies. It will be available in September 2008.

“All of the market tracking data indicates that residential electronic systems is gaining in popularity and mainstream consumers want more information about their options,” said Director of Marketing and Public Relations Jamie Antcliff. “As the leading trade association for the industry, CEDIA has a responsibility to help meet consumer demand. We believe creating a second issue of Electronic Lifestyles® is the right vehicle to show homeowners and design/build professionals what is possible when they choose to hire a CEDIA-Certified contractor.”

CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. CEDIA Members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org.