By Brandon Matthews
In an interview on Satwaves Radio Wednesday, Joe Caltabiano, National Sales Manager of the Satellite Radio Division of Audiovox (VOXX) offered listeners EXCLUSIVE details into Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) and its new products and marketing plans. Mr. Caltabiano provided low end satellite radio hardware sales estimates of no less than than 300,000 plus units to be sold in the current quarter, suggesting that higher results were likely and refused to put a cap on the number of Satellite Radio units that may be sold.
Mr. Caltabiano explained in detail the excitement being generated regarding the Sirius XM SkyDock, much as Audiovox CEO Patrick Lavelle explained during the Audiovox conference call yesterday (page 3). He went on to give new details of the newest Sirius XM marketing campaign called Rock ‘N’ Rewards in which new subscribers are being offered up to 100 dollars cash back in the form of a Visa gift card, depending on the level of service that can be used towards the subscription or any other purpose.
A bombshell announcement was made when Mr Caltabiano announced that the SkyDock will be sold for the first time ever in Apple Stores across the country, as he verified an as yet unannounced new marketing partnership between Sirius XM Radio and Apple (AAPL). When questioned about Audiovox’s ability to keep up with the anticipated demand, Mr Caltabiano assured listeners that the company has never been in a better position to meet that demand, as the company has no concerns with product allocation and is confident that all distribution channels will be supplied without issue, and announced that tens of thousands of units are being received and shipped to retailers nationwide every day.
The news did not stop there, as Mr. Caltabiano confirmed that the company was working on new accessories to compliment the Xm SkyDock that will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, opening the possibilities of home docks and portable radio accessories to be introduced. Also announced was the expected release date of Sirius XM’s new TTR1 tabletop Internet Radio and SRH2000 home audio unit in November prior to Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the Holiday following Thanksgiving.
To hear a replay of the show, visit blogtalkradio. The show is available for download on iTunes as well.
Positions: Long SIRI
Sorry about the repeat guys, but we are testing out our news feed.
Rick M. from Motley Fool made a statement that if the Dow should surge to the 15000 level he feels Sirius Xm would be one of the biggest stock winners. The model is in place, just need the recovery to kick in!
now, have a good marketing campaign for the holidays with nicedisplays that can be put out in high traffic areas in Best Buy etc. and ill be impressed–Talking on the websites only wont make this puppy fly
A great article. Let’s hope Seeking Alpha picks this up for broader distribution.
need only break 1 as soon as possible, after that we will fly…
some chatter that Mel spoke during Libertys call conference for 3rd quarter?
Sirius’ (SIRI) Karmazin Says ‘No Plans Right Now’ for a Reverse Split
Currently presenting at an investor conference, Sirius XM’s (Nasdaq: SIRI) Mel Karmazin, CEO of the satellite-radio provider, said that the company has “no plans right now” to do a reverse stock split. With shares of Sirius languishing under a dollar for the last year, a reverse split has been one of the most-heard rumors on the Street related to Sirius.
Karmazin also told the audience that performance over the last few months has been helped by the “Cash for Clunkers” program. Over the course, shares of Sirius surged more than 40% from around $0.42 on July 27 to near $0.60 today. Good call, Mel.
Turning more toward future plans, Sirius’ Karmazin said that the company is considering activating what he called “idle radios” for promotions and also said they are looking at offering a traffic information service.
After opening about flat from yesterday’s open, shares of Sirius are currently up about 2.7%, possibly on the Karmazin comments.
Sorry here is the link
http://www.streetinsider.com/Insiders+Blog/Sirius+(SIRI)+Karmazin+Says+No+Plans+Right+Now+for+a+Reverse+Split/5022680.html
I just checked with the online Apple Store, and also the local Apple retail store in Lynnwood, WA. They remain silent on whether the Skydock will be available for purchase at the Apple Store. I assume they are waiting for the October 18th launch date.
@RAF, Hey RAF Do you know of any co. that was financially “ok” ie SIRI in approx 2 years that did a reverse split instead of buying back shares? Mel stated in today’s speech there are 6.89 billion shares outstanding, I thought 3.89.
http://www.streetinsider.com/Insiders+Blog/Sirius+(SIRI)+Karmazin+Says+No+Plans+Right+Now+for+a+Reverse+Split/5022680.html
Sirius’ (SIRI) Karmazin Says ‘No Plans Right Now’ for a Reverse Split
Currently presenting at an investor conference, Sirius XM’s (Nasdaq: SIRI) Mel Karmazin, CEO of the satellite-radio provider, said that the company has “no plans right now” to do a reverse stock split. With shares of Sirius languishing under a dollar for the last year, a reverse split has been one of the most-heard rumors on the Street related to Sirius.
Karmazin also told the audience that performance over the last few months has been helped by the “Cash for Clunkers” program. Over the course, shares of Sirius surged more than 40% from around $0.42 on July 27 to near $0.60 today. Good call, Mel.
Turning more toward future plans, Sirius’ Karmazin said that the company is considering activating what he called “idle radios” for promotions and also said they are looking at offering a traffic information service.
After opening about flat from yesterday’s open, shares of Sirius are currently up about 2.7%, possibly on the Karmazin comments.
@bob
Sorry, Bob – I cannot be of help on this one – I do not have the information you requested. SIRI remains on track to trade within all projections of dominant strength over the foreseeable future.
Hey Brandon great information…
Now with no threat of a Reverse Stock Split and the new partnership with Apple and SIRIUS we should see SIRI stock price continue to soar from this point on… LOOK out because SIRIUS XM stock is gonna hit a $1 this quarter 2009… 50% or more profit potential by year end 2009… GO SIRIUS XM….
There is NO partnership with Apple people!!! At best SIRIUS XM has an agreement with Apple to market the SkyDock and use the ipod touch/iphone in advertisements. That is the end of the story!! Why would Apple need to partner with Sirius XM? Sirius XM is the one that needs to leach off of Apples success with this SkyDock. There is nothing wrong with this strategy, but it is far from a partnership. If it were a partnership, Apple would not have Rhapsody, Pandora, etc, aps available that they promote just as much as Sirius XM. Until a partnership is announced, this is a flat out lie and needs to be stopped! There is an agreement that SIRIUS XM has that they can use the ipod touch/iphone in advertisements, they may have the priveledge of getting a “peg” in the apple store, That is not a partnership!!Apple in no way promotes SIRIUS XM, and has no preferance for SIRIUS, Pandora, Last FM,etc…..All the lies to bash the stock are bad….Lies trying to pump the stock up are just as bad!!!!STOP THE LIES!!BOTH SIDES….BULLS AND BEARS!!!
The FCC held up this merger for about a year…Do you really think they would now allow SIRIUS, XM and Apple to partner? Get real….lol….SIRIUSAPPLEXM…I think that would be a Monopoly! who would be CEO? Steve Jobs or Mel K…?
On another note….I’m real curious if anyone knows…What retailer sells the most ipod touch/iphones? I would guess it is not Apple stores. There are not that many Apple stores compared to Best Buy, Radio Shack etc….Most people I know, buy their ipod touch from a Best buy store…I think the main thing people buy from the apple stores are Macs…..So, being in Best Buy is a bigger deal than being in Apple store in my opinion. They need to first “partner” with Best Buy to get a better location. My local Best Buy still has apparently the same 3 skydocks that are in the back on a bottom peg in the satelite section next to car radios and speakers….In the past with Circuit City they were in the front, had a station playing to draw attention, etc…..Now, they have to be searched for to be found..
Perhaps Jerrold you should actually LISTEN to the show…
Perhaps you shouldn’t be writing that Apple and Sirius are in a partnership, Brandon. This is about the fourth or fifth time. Totally irresponsible.
Brandon,
Thought the interview with the Audiovox rep the other nite was very good. Probably your best show to date. Hope you heard Mels comments regarding reverse split. WHoever the supposed person close to the company was that gave you info regarding r/s by Xmas was wrong. Mel would not let his reputation hang for that now, as I am sure you would agree. After making his comments today….pretty safe to say it isn’t happening by the end of this year. Just so you know….that is why I left. I didn’t want to get into yet another argument with you. Hope you and yours are doing ok…I know things are not easy right now.
@Brandon Matthews
Brandon, I did listen to the show after I posted my above comments. Audiovox’s use of the word “partnership” is very deceiving. SIRIUS XM are no more partners than Pandora, Rhapsody, or the other 1000 apps that are out there. Any true partnership would be announced by Apple and/or SIRIUS XM, not Audivox sales manager. They “partnered” to allow the skydock to use the ipod touch/iphone, thats all.
The displays that were spoken about would be awesome in Best Buys, apple stores, Radio shack etc….It would be cool to allow people to use and explore the service while in the store. Then advertise the “free app” for those that want to “test drive” the service at home, if they arent convinced.
Another good thing about this SKYDOCK is, if they display is good, it will attract attention. There are many people that arent willing to spend $199.00 for ipod touch, another $119.00 for a sky dock. If you can attract those people to the content on SIRIUS XM with the flashy skydock, that is when they can purchase an Onyx or other device, that is even cheaper if money is a concern. Onyx is a decent looking device for only $75.00.
@Brad
perhaps you too, Brad, should actually LISTEN to the radio show…
I watched the baseball game last night/morning…long game..between Yankees and Angels. I saw a SIRIUS XM commercial!!!wow!!! Well, it wasn’t a full fledge commercial. It was one of those promos that are in the backround. ie…on the screen you were able to read…every team..every game….then it list listed had music, talk, etc with some sound effects……maybe a 5-10 second small visual as the game was played…ended with “everything worth listening to is now on SIRIUS XM”…This was my first time this year watching a full baseball game….Is this new or, I just never noticed? Hopefully, this is just a start for advertising for the 4th quarter. The emphasis was content which is good….No device was mentioned…just all the variety of SIRIUS XM…very important!!I wish I could’ve youtubed it….
Is there a reason my last comment was removed?
yes..
we were hacked last night and had to restore to the last backup, which was prior to your (and others) last comments…
Just returned from the local Radio Shack (6:00PM, Sunday night). Heard some really positive comments about Sirius – lots of interest in all of their devices – customers mentioning they were cancelling Pandora to go to Sirius – interest in new Skydock – displays well positioned at front of the store – ordering more of everything because they had sold out of the smaller lots initially received, etc. The salesman is very big on Sirius and thinks there will be lots of interest in all of this through the holiday season, as prices are attractive and there is definite value for customers in the Sirius XM content and delivery.
This is just a quick and dirty summary of my extensive “market research” tonight! – but I think it gives you a pretty good look at the positives that are now out there for Sirius XM. I told the salesman I considered his comments a strong buy rating and I was going to act on this at the opening – and if I lose my a** I would be back to speak with him about all this!
Brandon, i hear ya. I thought u might have taken my comment the wrong way. I truly appreciate your work. I just think you have an extremely excitable style.
just saw a skydock/radio shack ad while i was online. pretty clean looking.
Just checked a Street.com posting on YahooFinance: There had been two very favorable comments regarding SIRI in the comments section earlier today but when I went back to check this again the entire comment section had been removed! What’s up wth that?!