Capitalising on growth for JBL Professional in the global retail and live audio markets, and seeking to support similar development for its AKG brand, Harman Professional is investing in marketing and customer service and has appointed Bryan Bradley as general manager Loudspeaker Strategic Business Unit.

This will further see the appointment of a general manager reporting to Bradley as well as marketing and sales leads for Harman Microphones and Headphones in Northridge, California.

Harman Professional president Blake Augsburger notes the success of the loudspeaker business unit and the opportunity to provide microphone and headphone customers with the same depth of innovation, marketing leadership and care: “Investing in proven success is the foundation for long-term growth. As an organisation, we’re continually learning from our decisions, we’re acting decisively on positive information and we’re placing more resources and responsibilities with those leaders who drive success.’

Housing design, prototyping and testing centers for Harman’s professional, consumer and automotive divisions, Harman’s Northridge campus is among the global audio industry’s most advanced research and development facilities. The combined research and development budget of these divisions has enabled Harman to invest in pure research in transducer and acoustic design that, in turn, has driven product-level innovations at JBL Professional. By co-locating, it is expected that innovation, product marketing and customer care for microphones and headphones will see similar success.

“The AKG brand has a 67-year legacy of delivering professional headphones and microphones. We’re committed to increase our investment in this brand to grow its awareness and market share across the globe,’ concludes Bradley.