In an effort to beat off the loss of sales to LCD The world’s leading manufacturers of plasma display panels have joined forces to form a Plasma Display Coalition (PDC).
The primary objective will be to promote the benefits of plasma display over LCD and the emerging SED technology. The body may also develop into a standards setting and testing body for plasma technologies.
Many of the Japanese plasma manufacturers are facing billions in losses, among those under pressure are Sanyo, Pioneer, Fujitsu and Sony.
The PDC’s charter members include the world’s five leading suppliers of plasma display panels, as well as finished goods — Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Hitachi and Pioneer. The group has selected long-time industry veteran Jim Palumbo to serve as president in an advisory capacity. Membership is open to any enterprise that sells, markets or manufactures plasma TV panels, Palumbo said. A dues structure has been established and going forward additional assessments may be asked to support various coalition activities.
“Although sales of plasma televisions really turned the corner this Fall, our members felt it was time to set the record straight on the benefits and advantages that plasma displays offer,” Palumbo said. “The mission of the group will be to get the plasma message out to the public in a clear and distinct way.”
He said the organisation’s promotional efforts will target the grass roots of America, as well as the national media and consumer press.
Palumbo said the group is still working out its plan of action, but added that a Web site will likely be established in the near future. “This is a long-term effort. We are forming all of our goals and objectives now, but at the end of the day what I would really like hear when I walk into a retailer is accurate dissemination about the character of the technology, with every myth you may have heard over the past 10 years put aside.” Among the group’s expected undertakings will be to offer performance testing services, using key independent laboratories to be named later, Palumbo said.
Palumbo will maintain an office in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. as well as in facilities provided by coalition members. He is a 31-year veteran of Sony Electronics, last serving as president of the company’s Aiwa subsidiary. During his tenure he had been Sony’s external affairs senior VP and led marketing and sales of Sony’s television products group for 10 years. Palumbo currently works as an industry consultant and still serves as a board member for Norcent Electronics.
The PDC will host a press breakfast at 8 a.m., Jan. 7, 2006 in Pompeian II room at Caesars’ Palace Casino, during International CES in Las Vegas. SmartHouse News will attend this breakfast.
