PlayNetwork, a leading provider of integrated media experiences for business, today announced Tom Möller has joined the company as regional director of VAR sales, east. Tom will be responsible for the recruitment and training of PlayNetwork’s VAR team in the east, who in turn will be selling and servicing PlayNetwork and “XM for Business” services (see related release, “XM Satellite Radio and PlayNetwork Announce Strategic Relationship,” December 12, 2007). In addition, the company has launched a new self-service value-added reseller (VAR) web portal to provide its growing network of resellers with the most efficient tools to offer high-quality and customized suites of music programming services to local companies and franchise markets of all sizes.
Tom Möller brings a host of established relationships with VARs from his 12-plus years with AEI Music’s international and affiliate sales groups. Born in Sweden to a family of renowned musicians, Tom also lends an extensive musical and recording industry background to the PlayNetwork team. He received a Music Engineering Technology Degree from the University of Miami. Tom is also an accomplished drummer / percussionist and has previously been signed with Enigma and Capitol Records. Tom will be based in Nashville.
“Tom’s combination of sales and music industry knowledge made him the perfect candidate to drive our eastern region VAR program. I have every confidence our current and new VAR partners will come to know Tom as an indispensible resource,” said Dave Purdy, senior vice president, VAR Services, PlayNetwork. “The addition of Tom and our new web portal solidify the national scope of our program, while providing our entire VAR network with a world class support system and resources.”
The web portal, which can be accessed through a unique URL, is divided into two sections. The first section, which doubles as the site’s landing page, is a public section where anyone can gather information about PlayNetwork’s products and services. Rather than visit PlayNetwork’s official homepage, resellers can guide prospects and customers through the music and technology specific website. The second section is a password-protected site accessible only by PlayNetwork certified resellers. Each of the VAR-specific sites is customized, further streamlining the sales and service process.
“I applaud PlayNetwork for taking its VAR support to the next level,” said Frank Tarantino, President, Creative Retail Communications, Inc. “The entire process, from taking a business decision maker from a prospect to a customer, can sometimes be lengthy and cumbersome without the right support. PlayNetwork’s web portal displays the information my team needs, on-demand. Anything that can make the process more efficient gives me, my colleagues and customers an advantage.”
PlayNetwork tapped ChannelReady — a Bellevue, WA-based company with deep expertise in creating, writing and delivering tools to empower channel partners and sales teams — to create the portal. “Effective and engaging channel communication is a crucial component of meeting sales goals and implementing consistent, seamless marketing programs. Companies such as PlayNetwork that recognize the importance of providing these resources and support will help ensure increasing success of their channel programs and partners,” added Frank Chenn, principal at ChannelReady.
PlayNetwork continues to recruit resellers with the highest caliber audio/video integrators in all markets. The company also has plans to launch a franchise-specific portal in the near future. For more information please visit varportal.playnetwork.com
About PlayNetwork
PlayNetwork Inc. is an integrated media services leader for worldwide business. PlayNetwork provides branded video (digital signage), audio (music and messaging), promotional media, quality audio/video systems, and professional services that deliver compelling experiences for retail, hospitality, health and fitness, retail banking and other businesses. Established in 1996, Redmond, Washington, based PlayNetwork services leading national brands such as: Abercrombie & Fitch, Brinker International, Chico's, Diesel, Hot Topic, Houlihan’s, Petco Animal Supplies, Starbucks Coffee Company, TGI Friday's, The Finish Line and Under Armour. The XM for Business service is now managed by PlayNetwork through a new strategic relationship with XM Satellite Radio