Jeannette Howe to Head Nationwide Marketing’s New Audio Video Specialty Division

Furniture World Magazine

Nationwide Marketing Group has named Jeannette Howe Executive Director of its newly created Audio Video Specialty Division. Howe is one of the leading professionals in the fast-growing audio visual home installation industry. Ed Kelly, President of Nationwide Marketing Group, the largest buying and services organization for appliance, electronics, and furniture retailers in America, “We welcome Jeannette as a key member of our management team. We know her industry experience, enthusiasm, and energy will add great value to many of our existing Nationwide member companies and will help us attract new dealers who aspire to run more profitable businesses. Nationwide management is quite impressed with Jeannette’s knowledge of the specialty community, and we are thrilled to have her on board.” He called her one of the consumer electronics industry’s leading and most widely respected professionals. Robert Weisner, Executive Vice President of Nationwide Marketing Group, said, “Nationwide has several hundred dealers who are actively involved in audio video home installation, and Jeannette will help our dealers grow this business segment and add to their electronic sales profitability.” Howe said, “I am excited to be playing a meaningful role in the creation, growth and future prosperity of the Nationwide AV Specialty Division. The burgeoning custom installation market is generating enormous opportunities, and Nationwide is clearly committed to supporting the specialist AV class of trade.” Before joining Nationwide, Howe was National Membership Manager for the Home Entertainment Source (HES) Buying Group. Howe also spent eight years as Director of Member Services for the Professional Audio/Video Retailers Association (PARA). Prior to her work at PARA, Howe was the audio buyer for Magnolia Hi-Fi. Nationwide Marketing Group is the nation’s leading independent appliance, electronics and furniture marketing group. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, Nationwide Marketing Group has approximately 2,400 members throughout the United States – independent retailers with more than 6,500 storefronts and $9 billion in annual sales. The fact that it is larger than all competing groups combined provides members with unprecedented marketing advantages. Its members receive from Nationwide the products, services, and buying power necessary to remain competitive in today’s highly competitive retail environment. Nationwide Marketing Group, founded 35 yeas ago, hosts two premier buying conventions each year – PrimeTime! – that draw thousands of retailers and major manufacturers. These events feature nationally-known keynote speakers, provide education programs through PrimeTime! University, and allow retailers to see new products and talk directly with manufacturer representatives. The next PrimeTime! will be at The Venetian in Las Vegas Feb 25-March 1.