As an addendum to our May cover story about the great stuff going on in MI today, we offer more companies that are doing fantastic things for their communities and the world at large.
Thalia Capos
Thalia Capos designed an intubation box to help those on the front line fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. “As some background, I have designed medical devices before and actually spent a fair amount of time developing suppliers in China in the medical space, including getting their factories FDA registered. I have now rekindled those relationships and I am currently working on several big projects,” said Thalia Capos’ Chris Bradley.
“First, I have begun importing N95 masks and other PPE from one of my well known suppliers. I had to jump through some regulatory hurdles but we now have a supply chain flowing with our first 10,000 N95 masks in transit. Once we successfully get the supply chain flowing, we plan to increase importation of these masks and other PPE to 50,000 per week or more. We will then distribute these products to the hospitals that need them most.
Second, I have been working on several designs of new products that are desperately needed on the front lines. One that has bubbled to the top is called the aerosol box. These boxes are used to provide additional protection to doctors and nurses when they perform endotracheal intubations (i.e. putting someone onto a respirator with corona virus). This box or shield was first created in Taiwan by Dr. Hsien Lai.
A doctor friend of mine who oversees 30 emergency rooms in California told me that these were needed ASAP and that if we could mobilize Thalia to make these that we would save lives. So seeing a clear need and opportunity, we have redesigned the box with his input so that it can be made very efficiently and cost effectively in the Thalia Studio using our six laser cutters. With this new design, I expect to be able to produce 200 of these boxes per day within a short period of time.”
JodyJazz
With so many of its retail partners unable to function normally due to the current health crisis, JodyJazz announced its “Dealer COVID-19 Direct Sales Advocacy Program.
JodyJazz seeks to compensate its dealers for any direct sales received on its own website during the period of the crisis. This program includes all dealers who are currently part of the JodyJazz authorized dealer network both in the USA and overseas and relates to direct sales on the JodyJazz.com website. All JodyJazz products are currently available for purchase on its website at the full USA MSRP. Purchasers on the site will be asked to name the music retailer from whom they would normally be making their purchase and if they are part of the JodyJazz authorized dealer network, JodyJazz will then compensate that dealer the markup amount from standard dealer prices for that product.
The program will extend to such time when the epidemic may reasonably be considered to have subsided, with most dealers once more open for business. “We want to champion our retail partners to the greatest degree possible during these deeply troubling times,” said Jody Espina, founder and president of JodyJazz. “Like all small businesses we are facing unprecedented challenges due to the health crisis. But now more than ever in the music products industry, we appreciate that we are all part of the same ecosystem. When this terrible situation passes, and it will pass, it will be so important for all of us that our retail partners get back up on their feet again as quickly as possible. This program is our contribution to help make that happen.”
G7th
“These are indeed tough times and we, at G7th, are doing our best to make sure we emerge the other end strongly!” G7th’s Nick Campling told the Music & Sound Retailer.
“In business terms, we are keeping in touch with our distributors around the world, maintaining relationships and making sure that we have stock available. Supplies from China, where we have our patented capo designs manufactured by trusted partners, have been interrupted but are now getting back on track and catching up with orders.
We are in the very fortunate position of having some cash in the bank at the start of the pandemic so we are able to keep our people employed and busy from home.
We continue helping our long-term charity partner, Hope for Justice, by raising funds for them in their campaigns and actions to stop modern slavery. We were just able to make them a payment of more than $700 from sales of a special edition of our latest Performance 3 capo. As our customers will know, we also put leaflets in our packs highlighting their work.
We are also collaborating with one of our favorite UK based guitar players, Gordon Giltrap to raise money for our National Health Service. I have known Gordon for very nearly 50 years! I first booked him to come and play at my school when I was a teenager running the school folk club.
We have kept in touch on and off over that time and, since I designed our first capo, Gordon has used them when he plays.
Gordon was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2019 New Year’s Honours for services to Music and Charity.
He and I got our heads together to see what we could do to assist the NHS in this pandemic crisis and we are producing the Gordon Giltrap “Heartsong” capo and $12.50 from every sale will go to the The University Hospitals Birmingham Charity. Named after Gordon’s most famous composition ‘Heartsong.’”
Mapex
Mapex Drums is responding to drummers who are now spending the bulk of their time at home. Touring players off the road, students home from school, weekend warriors without gigs, or hobbyists who just want to drum.
“We at Mapex have experienced the same set of circumstances that our fellow drummers out there are going through,” said Mapex brand manager Jeff Mulvihil.l “Our gigs are cancelled, rehearsal spaces are closed, jam sessions with friends can’t responsibly happen, and we just miss drumming. The least that we can do is get creative with our products and prices and try to design experiences for anyone to make Staying at Home, Learning at Home, and Playing at home as accessible as we can.”
There are several special packages with special prices available under the umbrella of this new campaign that are available through any authorized Mapex dealer, all coming with an opportunity for free online lessons through Russ Miller’s Percussion Pathway.
eBay
Through May 31, eBay has matched up to $1 million in contributions made by U.S. customers who donate a portion of sales to Feeding America, Direct Relief and Opportunity Fund. Funds raised will help support each charity’s relief response including providing meals to children out of school, providing essential medical supplies to health workers and supporting small businesses who are impacted.
Strapworks LLC
“We are focusing on what we can do through Strapworks. We make straps for literally every industry. More importantly at this time is we also provide raw materials for making face masks,” CEO Thomas Foster told the Retailer.
“When our limited supply of elastic started flying off the shelves, we quickly contacted all of our great vendors to secure what we could in elastic and narrow webbings. Since late March, we have provided more than 400,000 yards of elastic to everyone from crafters to major industry players. This is more elastic than we have sold in the previous 20 years. We have sold over 1 million cordlocks. And, we have also provided hygienic grab straps for transit districts so riders can avoid touching any metal parts of the bus. Our Amazon account has blown up with orders for all things crafty.
I am extremely proud that we have not had to lay off a single employee. While we did face a 20-percent cut back in hours early in Oregon’s closure period, we are all back to full time and more. We are also finalizing a special program for all music retailers that will allow them to re-supply all their strap needs in an extremely economical manner when they re-open. On demand, private labeled straps will be available with no minimums, no artwork charges, and free shipping for 12 straps or more.”
Shure
Shure is working with top artists from a range of musical genres to re-create songs using household items and posting their performance on social media. These performances will serve as inspiration to others to re-create their favorite songs by using items around the house, such as kitchen utensils, toys, books, furniture or other materials.
As part of the effort, Shure will make a total donation of $100,000 to MusiCares Foundation. This donation comes in a time of need. MusiCares reported its COVID-19 Relief Fund is depleted and was forced to stop accepting new applications until more money is raised.
“Music continues to be a central part of our lives and I think we’re all looking for ways to unlock creativity while we’re spending more time at home,” said Erik Vaveris, vice president of global marketing at Shure. “This is one way we can have fun while supporting a great cause.”
Synthax
Amid the disruptions in the market caused by COVID-19, Synthax, distributor of RME audio solutions, Ferrofish audio converters, Digigram broadcast and streaming solutions, Appsys digital audio tools, and myMix personal monitor and mixer, announced a series of free weekly webinars covering a variety of industry topics, from breaking down audio networking systems to the psycho-effects of IEM usage. The free webinars are hosted by several of Synthax’s key technical experts and offered Monday through Friday. The webinars are targeted to those who work in the live sound, broadcast and audio production markets.
“With so many professionals currently waiting to go back to work, we thought this would be a perfect time to offer some advance learning opportunities,” Derek Badala, director of sales, Americas for Synthax, said. “These daily webinars offer Pro A/V professionals around the world the chance to make the most of their time and advance their knowledge of different audio networking systems and solutions, as well as receive up to 4 CTS RU credits for some of the sessions in the process.”
DPA Microphones
The company is providing a variety of creative online resources and virtual entertainment in the wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic. DPA is also supporting its customers and industry professionals by continuing to stock and service equipment.
“DPA is working diligently to maintain production and operations to ensure an uninterrupted supply of microphones. “We remain committed to our employees, partners and customers around the world,” said Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, CEO, DPA Microphones. “Additionally, in the past few weeks, we have been inspired by many creative ideas and initiatives that we have seen implemented, both within the DPA organization and the industry at large. Through our digital program, DPA will continue to educate and inspire our online community during these difficult times.”
As part of its efforts, DPA is hosting a variety of digital content including:
- Online training webinars training webinars focused on products, segments, techniques and more.
- Interviews with industry professionals, such as Whit Norris, Brad Maddox and Eddie Caipo on multiple streaming platforms.
- Live streamed performances by musicians, including symphony and orchestra engineer Mary Mazurek.
- Additional Mic University articles, including ones focused on tips for stay-at-home content providers and a cleaning guide that provides ways to ensure proper mic hygiene.
To read more features from the Music & Sound Retailer, click here.