Gibson Guitar reorganization News

Started by admin, October 20, 2017, 08:40:45 AM

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admin

#253
https://guitar.com/news/gibson-sued-by-heritage/?utm_source=Guitar.com&utm_campaign=f3f0b6f832-gdc_media_email_nl_breaking_news_20200314&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f890f83bb6-f3f0b6f832-50033873

EXCLUSIVE: GIBSON SUED BY HERITAGE OVER FRESH TRADEMARK THREATS
The Kalamazoo-based company claims that "Gibson demanded that Heritage essentially cease its business" despite a secret 29-year-old legal settlement between the two brands, and seeks a judgement that it hasn't infringed trademarks.

Guitar.com

Heritage Guitars has launched legal action against Gibson Brands, becoming the latest US guitar company to reveal that they have been threatened with legal action over alleged trademark infringement since Gibson came under new ownership in 2018.

Guitar.com has obtained a redacted legal document filed on 13 March 2020 in the US District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division, which details a previously confidential agreement reached between the two companies in August 1991, effectively giving Heritage Gibson's blessing to continue making its guitars. The filing seeks "declaratory and injunctive relief" to prevent Gibson from making further legal threats against the brand.

Heritage – which has operated out of Gibson's original factory at 225 Parsons St in Kalamazoo, Michigan since it was founded by former employees in 1985 – claims that shortly after the company began making guitars, the two companies clashed in both federal and trademark court over the look of its instruments.

In 1991 that litigation was resolved with a confidential agreement that meant that, according to Heritage's filing, "For the ensuing 29 years, Heritage and Gibson went their separate ways, each selling its own well-known guitars into the market, with no problems or issues."

However, when Gibson was sold to hedge fund Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) following its bankruptcy in 2018 – installing a new leadership team led by former Levi's CEO JC Curleigh at the top of the brand – Heritage's suit claims that this long "peace" between the two was broken.


In the legal filing, Heritage alleges that Gibson's attitude to Heritage changed following the arrival of new ownership, stating, "Now Gibson, via KKR, seeks to undo the resolution achieved in 1991 and followed by both parties for 29 years, by claiming phantom breaches of the 1991 settlement by Heritage.

Quote"In February 2019, shortly after KKR took over Gibson, Gibson wrote to Heritage and essentially claimed that Heritage had been violating the Settlement Agreement for decades. Gibson demanded that Heritage essentially cease its business as the only solution that Gibson would accept."

In the last 12 months, Guitar.com has detailed various legal disputes between Gibson Brands and its competitors over trademarks – including a high-profile lawsuit against Dean Guitars owner Armadillo Inc, disputes with Warwick/Framus over EU marks, and most recently, claims of a cease and desist letter sent to Kiesel Guitars over the Ultra V design.

Heritage goes on to claim that on 20 February 2020, Gibson wrote to the company again alleging violations of the 1991 settlement agreement, intellectual property infringement, and threatening legal action, even going so far as attaching a draft complaint.

In December 2019, Guitar.com interviewed Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian, during which he claimed, "We inherited, from the previous owners, a legacy of confrontation and litigation, which we have essentially now been putting to bed. There are literally just one or two situations that we haven't been able to resolve amicably, and not because of a lack of intention on our side. But everything else, why not collaborate with those who are doing really cool things?"

The continuing disputes with Armadillo and Warwick, plus recent revelations from Kiesel and now Heritage, seem to call the above statement into question.


Heritage H-137 and H-150 serial

However, it's worth noting that Heritage's suit is notably different to the Dean/Armadillo counter-suit, or indeed the long-running dispute over the ES-335 trademark. Heritage is not seeking to challenge the validity of Gibson's trademarks or have them cancelled.

Instead, Heritage claims that this lawsuit is only being brought in an attempt to return relations between the brand and Gibson to the status quo that has existed for nearly three decades, and is seeking a declaratory judgement from the court that confirms it has not violated the settlement agreement or infringed on Gibson's trademarks.

"None of Gibson's evolving legal theories have merit," the filing reads. "Heritage remains, and has always been, in full compliance with the Settlement Agreement. Nevertheless, to resolve the uncertainty created by Gibson's threats and allegations, Heritage has been left with no choice but to file this action."

Read Heritage's statement here:



Guitar.com has reached out to Heritage Guitars and Gibson Brands for further comment on this developing story, and we'll update it as the situation develops. 

[Editor's note: Heritage Guitars has a partnership with BandLab Technologies, the parent company of Guitar.com.][/i]


admin

#255
Henry is now CEO of Healthcare co.
CareMoat

QuoteJuszkiewicz was CEO of the iconic guitar brand Gibson from 1986 until 2018, retiring following the company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now he is launching a health care company in Nashville

https://www.caremoat.com/blog

https://teknocrat.com/former-gibson-ceo-henry-juszkiewicz-to-launch-caremoat/


admin

https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/07/26/gibson-launches-record-label-signs-slash/

Gibson Launches Record Label, Signs Slash
JULY 26TH, 2021 AT 3:38PMAXL ROSENBERGFACEBOOKTWITTER0
Gibson makes records now.

The venerated guitar manufacturers have announced the launch of Gibson Records. Headquartered in Nashville and operating in partnership with BMG, the label "will work with Gibson artists to produce, record, and promote their music to fans around the world," according to a press release.

Their first signee is Slash from Guns N' Roses, which is appropriate enough: the guitarist has famously utilized Les Pauls his entire career. (He uses other guitar models and brands, too, but mostly Les Pauls; when you picture Slash playing in your mind, you likely picture him with a Les Paul.) The press release doesn't say when the new album from Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will be released, but Slash has previously expressed optimism that it would come out this year.

Says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands of the announcement:

"Launching a record label that is in service to our artists is the natural evolution of our 127 years of history. Gibson Records will work with Gibson artists to capture, record and promote their music under an artist friendly partnership. Gibson Records will keep all of us at Gibson focused on our artist first culture that is engaged and connected to music. We are excited to launch Gibson Records, to announce that Slash is our first signed artist and that we have entered into a label partnership with BMG."

Adds Slash:

"It's an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records. It's a zenith in our partnership for sure and having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with. It's perfect."

Gibson, which is 127 years old, has found some controversy amidst financial turmoil in recent years. The company entered bankruptcy in 2018 after a series of bad business decisions, including the acquisition of the consumer audio division of electronics company Philips, the introduction of robotic guitar tuners and other missteps that left the company in poor financial condition. Later that year the company found new leadership by private equity firm KKR and ousted longtime CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. More recently, employees caused an uproar when they were forced to work at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Presumably, the company is doing better now: at the start of 2021, they acquired boutique amplifier manufacturers Mesa/Boogie.

vtgearhead

Quote from: admin on July 31, 2021, 09:49:00 PM
https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/07/26/gibson-launches-record-label-signs-slash/

Gibson Launches Record Label, Signs Slash
JULY 26TH, 2021 AT 3:38PMAXL ROSENBERGFACEBOOKTWITTER0
Gibson makes records now.

The venerated guitar manufacturers have announced the launch of Gibson Records. Headquartered in Nashville and operating in partnership with BMG, the label "will work with Gibson artists to produce, record, and promote their music to fans around the world," according to a press release.

Their first signee is Slash from Guns N' Roses, which is appropriate enough: the guitarist has famously utilized Les Pauls his entire career. (He uses other guitar models and brands, too, but mostly Les Pauls; when you picture Slash playing in your mind, you likely picture him with a Les Paul.) The press release doesn't say when the new album from Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will be released, but Slash has previously expressed optimism that it would come out this year.

Says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands of the announcement:

"Launching a record label that is in service to our artists is the natural evolution of our 127 years of history. Gibson Records will work with Gibson artists to capture, record and promote their music under an artist friendly partnership. Gibson Records will keep all of us at Gibson focused on our artist first culture that is engaged and connected to music. We are excited to launch Gibson Records, to announce that Slash is our first signed artist and that we have entered into a label partnership with BMG."

Adds Slash:

"It's an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records. It's a zenith in our partnership for sure and having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with. It's perfect."

Gibson, which is 127 years old, has found some controversy amidst financial turmoil in recent years. The company entered bankruptcy in 2018 after a series of bad business decisions, including the acquisition of the consumer audio division of electronics company Philips, the introduction of robotic guitar tuners and other missteps that left the company in poor financial condition. Later that year the company found new leadership by private equity firm KKR and ousted longtime CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. More recently, employees caused an uproar when they were forced to work at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Presumably, the company is doing better now: at the start of 2021, they acquired boutique amplifier manufacturers Mesa/Boogie.


Sure, why not dive headlong into Yet Another Line of Business About Which We Know Nothing.  Makes sense to me.

plexified


In American markets I've researched you can have a stronghold, with seemingly impenetrable economies, yet a competitor will move in and outpace an existing icon. Its repeatable and has decades of data behind it. I had to see it to believe it.

Does this mean Gibson, on Music Row is going to rank ? Who knows, but I would venture to say they have all the resources to do so. We are in an everchanging marketplace thats having a soft landing before a complete collapse. How you manage things with your eyes open and your understanding of the preparation for survival , is whats going to show in the end.

"Juszkiewicz was CEO of the iconic guitar brand Gibson from 1986 until 2018, retiring following the company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now he is launching a health care company in Nashville."

One invests into health care, now a seemingly limitless market with 8 billion potential clients, the other expands in a market impacted by an exponential freefalling of the health and mortality of its citizens.

Unfortunately, Nashville the emerging music capital, will have a front row seat into this equation above. Will newfound talent outpace mortality ?

Unfortunately in entertainment, you don't work unless you are vaccinated.   

I can't help but marvel at the impeccable timing of Randall Smith selling his company. His main transformer company Magnetic Components ( Classic Tone ) was going out of business prior to the sale and the writing was on the wall outlining complications and years of headaches ahead.

I would speculate Gibson paid top dollar without a clue. Their history will survive, as it has. Beyond that, again, we all have a front row seat.

admin

#260
Quote from: vtgearhead on August 01, 2021, 06:21:12 AM
Sure, why not dive headlong into Yet Another Line of Business About Which We Know Nothing.  Makes sense to me.

But next time someone asks to get an "Artist Deal with free guitars, Gibson management will reply,
"Only if you release your songs on our Gibson BMG label and we own the publishing "

Remember today Gibson is owned and run by KKR

And they already own many media/entertainment properties
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohlberg_Kravis_Roberts

mooncaine

" Unfortunately in entertainment, you don't work unless you are vaccinated"

Or tested frequently in the days leading up to a gig.

I'm hoping to pick up a gig as a background actor next week that would require me to stay in a hotel all week with no contact with anyone. Until it's time to shoot. They pay pretty well for the inconvenience.

HAMERMAN409

#262
QuoteI'm hoping to pick up a gig as a background actor next week that would require me to stay in a hotel all week with no contact with anyone. Until it's time to shoot. They pay pretty well for the inconvenience.[/font]

So what you are saying is you would be getting paid to practice guitar in a hotel for a full week? Sweet - hope it works out!

admin

#263


Gibson has announced a partnership with the investment firm Rally – known for fostering investment in collectible assets – that will allow people to buy shares of ultra-valuable Gibson Custom Shop guitars.

Three such instruments are available for investing in as part of the program, the signed, artist-approved prototype builds of three recent signature guitars: the Tony Iommi "Monkey" 1964 SG Special, the aged and signed Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom, and the Slash 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck.

Now, you might be wondering, how does this actually work? Well, due to their uniqueness, each of the guitars is obviously quite valuable, with market caps ranging from $65,000 (for the Iommi and Slash models) to $95,000 (for the Jones model).

Through the Rally partnership, prospective buyers can purchase shares of the guitars at either $5 (for the Slash model) or $10 (for the Iommi and Jones models). From then on, the shares rise and fall in value with the value of the instrument, like they would with a typical stock.



(Image credit: Gibson)
"Guitars of this caliber have historically always gone to individual collectors, but our goal was to find a way to make the ownership experience accessible to as many fans as possible," explained Gibson Director of Brand Experience Mark Agnesi. "Thanks to Rally's unique platform, fans can have a chance to own a piece of guitar history that would have otherwise seemed unobtainable."

The three guitars in question will be kept by Gibson in a vault inside the company's recently-opened Gibson Garage mega-store in Nashville.

The initial offering of shares for the three guitars will occur later this month. Anyone over 18 with a U.S. Social Security number, bank account, ID and address within the contiguous United States is eligible to invest


www.guitarworld.com/amp/news/gibson-rally-guitars-investments

chrish

If you own a share in one of the guitars do you get to go in and play it?  ;D

admin

Quote from: chrish on September 03, 2021, 11:16:05 AM
If you own a share in one of the guitars do you get to go in and play it?  ;D



admin

#267
New Maestro FX
Jan 18, 2022

https://www.maestroelectronics.com/en-US/





Elantric

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023
Brand President Cesar Gueikian Appointed as President & Interim Chief Executive Officer, Effective Immediately
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Brands, Inc., the world's most iconic guitar brand, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Cesar Gueikian, Gibson's brand president, as president and interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Gueikian succeeds James "JC" Curleigh, Gibson's president and chief executive officer since November 2018, who will depart the company and step down as a director.
Gibson Brands
Gueikian joined Gibson as chief merchant officer in 2018 and was appointed as brand president in 2021. In those roles, Gueikian has spearheaded pioneering solutions for brand momentum, product innovation, media evolution and artist relations. He has been instrumental in the resurgence of Gibson, setting a new strategy centered around instruments, sound and an expansion into media. He brings 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor and financier, and a lifelong passion for music and guitars.
"We are transitioning to new leadership at a time of strength to ensure the company continues its momentum and is well-positioned to execute on its next phase of growth," said Nat Zilkha, chairman of Gibson's Board of Directors. "Cesar has played a huge role in the company's recent success, including securing critical artist partnerships and overseeing the evolution of many of our most iconic product lines, and the Board has full confidence in his leadership."
"I am honored to take on this important role with a company that means so much to me," said Gueikian. "Gibson has shaped sound for the last 130 years, and we now have the opportunity to drive the future of music and touch people's lives for the next 130 years. We have an obligation to continue innovating across instruments, sound, and media and to continue inspiring fans and artists of all levels to create music. I look forward to working closely with our experienced senior leadership and team of incredible craftspeople to ensure the long-term success of the business."
Zilkha continued, "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank JC for helping to return Gibson to its status as an iconic brand over the last five years. We are grateful for his leadership and contributions to our partners, customers, and the music industry, and we wish him the best in his next chapter."
"It has been a privilege to lead Gibson, and I'm tremendously proud of what we accomplished as a team," said Curleigh. "I am ready for my next challenge and want to thank the Board and the Gibson team for the opportunity to guide this company. I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the future."
About Cesar Gueikian
Cesar Gueikian joined Gibson in 2018 as chief merchant officer, merging his business background with his lifelong passion for music and guitars. As chief merchant officer and subsequently as brand president, he has implemented numerous pioneering solutions to build brand momentum, team development, product innovation, media evolution and direct-to-consumer offerings, as well as drive profitable business growth. Cesar has also been instrumental in the resurgence of Gibson, creating Gibson Media, launching Gibson TV and securing partnerships with Gibson artists to bring their music to the world and keep Gibson culturally engaged and connected to music.
Prior to Gibson, Cesar co-founded Melody Capital Partners, an alternative asset manager focused on private corporate financing, restructuring and investing. Under his leadership, Melody grew from a seed investment of $100 million to more than $1.5 billion in assets under management. Before that, Cesar held leadership roles at UBS and Deutsche Bank in London and New York, respectively.
An accomplished musician, guitarist and songwriter, Cesar has performed with and recorded alongside artists spanning an eclectic range of music genres, such as Mana, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo (Metallica), Rex Brown (Pantera), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Snake Sabo (Skid Row), Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) and Fito Paez.
Cesar earned a B.A. in Business from Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago focused on Analytic Finance and Economics.


arkieboy

I've been promising myself a Memphis era semi for some time - can't quite decide between a blonde 335, a Howard Roberts Fusion 3 or a 137 Custom.

I can see an emergency purchase coming on :-(
Main rig: Barden Hexacaster and Brian Moore i2.13 controllers
Boss SY1000/Boss GKC-AD/Boss GM-800/Laney LFR112

Other relevant gear: Line 6 Helix LT, Roland GR-33, Axon AX100 MkII
Oberheim Matrix 6R, Supernova IIR, EMu E5000, Apple Mainstage, Apple Logic, MOTU M4

Matteo Barducci

Without offense, but it seems that those are all fake news: Cesar Guelkian was promoted to CEO last summer and they restarted doing MESA, Kramer, and other brand since then. I know from some retailers here that they are a full production scheduled of new models for the 2024.

--

---> Matteo Barducci