Latest News and Press Releases
bluesalve partners In the News
Terrific CEDIA Expo 2023 for bluesalve
We were honored to present the CE Pro BEST Awards for the most innovative CI products of the year!
Hear Avi on AV Nation's Resi Week Podcast
Managing Partner Avi Rosenthal joined CE Pro Senior Editor Bob Archer on the AV Nation Resi-Week podcast to talk about new market findings from IDC and Parks Associates, and the all-important topic of profitability for integrators.
Judging the Consumer Technology Association Mark of Excellence Awards
Three bluesalve partners were judges at the 2023 CTA Mark of Excellence Awards! Congrats to the winners!
Featured blog posts...
What If Our Homes Can Be That Smart Too?
Is Matter Stifling Smart Home Innovation?
Breaking Through Stigma in Senior Tech
Audio Fests: Making the Experience Tangible Again
Embracing Generative AI From a Product Development Perspective
OTC Hearing Aids: Why So Slow?
Press Releases
Most Recent
Las Vegas, NV – January 5, 2023 – Venetian Expo – Booth 52908 – CES 2023 – DEN Smart Home, creators of the first invisible, wireless communicating smart door strike – SmartStrike™ – today announced production funding and that the company has selected Brightworks Technology Inc., as the contracted manufacturer. Production samples of the award-winning SmartStrike will be available early Q2 for $199 MAP with product available mid-2023. To be among the first to receive stock, the company is taking orders now for prioritized fulfillment.
The DEN SmartStrike is a CTA Mark of Excellence award winner and CES® Innovation Award Honoree within the smart home category. The disruptive access control solution is the first, invisible, wireless smart door strike that installs easily and discreetly into the door frame. Featuring a completely inconspicuous design, homeowners receive all of the benefits of a smart door lock without compromising the aesthetic design of the door, while maintaining existing door hardware including the handle.
Via the companion app (available for both iOS and Android), users can easily, safely, and securely access their homes and businesses while integrated Z-Wave technology ensures compatibility with the largest, most diverse smart home and security ecosystem available (over 4,100 certified, interoperable devices). Future versions of the DEN SmartStrike will add Matter, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi connectivity to provide compatibility amongst all IoT networking platforms and further future-proof the DEN solution.
“Partnering with Brightworks allows us to bring much-needed innovation to the access control category,” stated Marijn van der Wal, founder of DEN Smart Home. “The SmartStrike is a unique, and simply a better approach to supplying access for both homes and businesses as the solution allows users to conceal the intelligence and connectivity within the door frame all while keeping their preferred décor intact and without compromise.”
Brightworks provides full-service design, manufacturing, testing, service, and support for a wide array of customers. From Hong Kong to Europe to California, the organization is supported by a global footprint that includes over 460,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities.
The DEN SmartStrike will be on display at CES 2023 within the Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion located in Tech West, Venetian Expo, Booth #52908. To book a CES appointment, inquire about North America sales or distribution opportunities, or learn more about the disruptive access control solution, contact David Kaplan (david@bluesalve.com), Lew Brown (lew@bluesalve.com) or Avi Rosenthal (avi@bluesalve.com).
About DEN Smart Home
DEN was founded by Ankerslot, a seventy-five-year-old manufacturer of the highest quality European access control products known for its state-of-the-art design and uncompromising build standards. With DEN, the tradition of quality craftmanship, credibility, and performance continues with sophisticated wireless access control for the connected home. The SmartStrike has already received industry acknowledgement by a CES Innovation Award and CTA Mark of Excellence Award. Aimed to disrupt the smart lock market, DEN is launching in 2023 in the U.S. market with the DEN SmartStrike, the first wireless smart door strike which installs easily and discreetly in the door frame. https://www.densmarthome.com/
For North American press inquiries contact:
Marijn van der Wal
+31 6 22510871
marijn@densmarthome.com
Contact: Caster Communications, Inc. at 401.792.7080
Caster and bluesalve partners to Offer Full-Service Technology Consulting Services
Newport, RI and Ashburn, VA – January 3, 2023 – Caster Communications, Inc., and bluesalve partners, LLC have partnered to elevate and streamline end-to-end technology consulting services from the foundry to the frontline. Targeted at companies developing hardware and software for IoT, XR, AI, custom and consumer electronics, enterprise, and emerging industries, the partnership uniquely provides a single source for experienced tech innovation advisors that can collectively solve critical problems across a manufacturer’s business.
This partnership allows companies to leverage the group’s diverse skillset and resources as a one-stop-shop for outsourced services starting with strategic counsel to execution on technology projects ranging from product design, development, sourcing, and procurement to integrated marketing, PR, social and digital media.
This partnership has gathered a brain trust of the some of the strongest talents across the tech space. Kimberly Lancaster, founder of Caster, in cooperation with Alexandra Crabb, SVP at Caster, will drive marketing, PR, and communications consulting, bringing the extensive expertise and experience of the award-winning Caster agency to cross-over clients and prospects. Avi Rosenthal, managing partner at BSP, will run business operations and development, along with BSP partners, Lew Brown and David Kaplan. Caster and BSP will continue as individual entities but provide exclusive cooperative services that expand both companies’ offerings and focus on innovation over administration.
“Life is busy, working with good people who are incredibly good at what they do is rare,” shared Kimberly Lancaster. “Avi and I have worked together for nearly two decades, but usually as client and agency. We often idea share, and our riffing process led us to the realization that there are some companies across the industry that would be better served collectively. This partnership strengthens both organizations by offering streamlined, single source services that neither group offers alone.”
“Kim and I have launched brands and salvaged businesses. We have complementary skills which translate into the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. With a formal agreement between our organizations, clients know they have a direct track to the resources they need but often don’t know where to find. We’ve got the right people to do what they do best,” concluded Avi Rosenthal.
For more details, visit www.castercomm.com
About Caster Communications, Inc.
Caster is an award-winning agency specializing in PR, communications, and social media strategy for public, private and start-up companies across the technology markets. With deep chops across industry alliances, smart home, embedded, metaverse, IoT/IIoT and consumer technology markets, Caster has been the AOR for over two-dozen M&A deals across the past decade. Caster creates end-to-end strategies that integrate PR, social, digital media, content, and brand engagement for a results-driven program. Highly respected and incredibly well-connected, Caster inspires long-term relationships across clients, media, associations, and its team. For more information visit www.castercomm.com.
About bluesalve partners, LLC
bluesalve partners is a consultancy that consists of an accomplished team of recognized industry experts. The firm fuels the growth of the consumer technology industry by helping clients build and accelerate stronger, thriving businesses. We provide clients with boutique attention yet large consulting firm strengths and results. The firm is broadly capable and specializes in helping clients with business strategy and development, manufacturing, raising capital, and marketing. For more information visit www.bluesalve.com.
CONTACT:
Kimberly Lancaster
Caster Communications, Inc.
p: 401-792-7080
bluesalve partners is pleased to announce our two newest members, Valerie Clark and Edgar Jose Gomez.
An executive level risk and human resources expert, Valerie has held top level positions for mid-size and large companies in a variety of industries focusing on compliance, crisis management, employee relations and insurance. Her focus is always on company continuity and best practices plus navigating compliance, employee health and safety, and environmental awareness.
Working in the technology market for over 35 years, Edgar has held senior positions in companies such as Grupo Construlita (Mexico), Conectel (USA/Panama/Brazil), Bellsouth (Venezuela), and Comsat International (Venezuela). He is an expert in Latin American markets that are dedicated to developing solutions over telecommunications companies’ networks. Over the last several years he has been developing IOT platforms and solutions in the Mexican market. Edgar excels in bringing new products and technology to market and he has the insights and resources needed to develop, manufacture and market products and services for the IoT Industry in Latin America.
Though Avi Rosenthal, managing partner at bluesalve partners, is a recent addition to the Z-Wave Board of Directors, he’s no stranger to the Z-Wave Alliance and working to advance the smart home industry. Starting his career as an integrator, Rosenthal has an acute awareness of the dealer side of the business and even installed some of the very first Z-Wave devices, some of which he’s still using today.
“To this day I have a PIR sensor and a light switch that I associated with each other in 2002. They have been moved to 5 different master bedrooms in the last 20 years – and this combo has continued to turn on the light on in my master bedroom for the last two decades,” says Rosenthal.
Enschede, Overijssel, The Netherlands, December 30, 2020 - DEN Smart Home today announced that it has been named a CES® 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree for DEN SmartStrike™. The announcement was made ahead of the first-ever, all-digital CES 2021, the world’s most influential technology event, happening Jan. 11-14, 2021.
The CES Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products across 28 product categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.
The DEN SmartStrike™ solution is an electric strike that is extended with embedded software. The DEN SmartStrike™ can communicate through BLE, Zigbee, Wi-fi and Z- Wave to an IOS or Android mobile device. It will also be integrated into the popular smart home platforms that are in the market today. Because the DEN SmartStrike™ is uniquely installed into your door jamb, it is invisible and more difficult to bypass while allowing homeowners the freedom to choose any hardware that matches their aesthetic taste and home décor.
“We were delighted when we learned we achieved a CTA Innovations Award in the Smart Home category,” stated Marijn van der Wal, founder of DEN Smart Home, “it affirms my vision of smarter better access control and reflects the hard work of my teams in the Netherlands and United States.”
The CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. DEN will be at CES please visit us in our virtual booth for a full product demonstration.
About DEN Smart Home:
We make the first ever, wireless communicating door strike. DEN SmartStrike™ provides full featured access management, eliminates the need for changing your preferred door hardware décor and does all this at disruptive pricing. Visit the DEN Smart Home website to learn more.
For CES appointments or for North America sales or distribution inquiries contact David Kaplan, david@3.86.193.120. For North American press inquiries contact Jan-Luc Blakborn, jlblakborn@maximumventures.net
Powerhouse IoT Consulting firm adds veteran marketing professional to roster
Ashburn, VA – Dec 14, 2020 – bluesalve partners, the go-to resource for stakeholders seeking industry-proven consulting services within consumer and IoT technology, announced today that Mary Miller, creative marketing professional in the smart home space, has joined the firm as a senior consultant.
Mary Miller has served in senior roles from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Earlier in her career, Mary held leadership roles in both the US and Europe in the gaming industry at SEGA, Disney Interactive, and Hasbro Interactive. Her most recent tenure in the smart home IoT space brings a wealth of go to market capabilities for bluesalve to offer their B2B and B2C clients.
Mary’s many roles in the Consumer Electronics industry as a retailer, manufacturer and technology provider adds additional expertise to bluesalve partners’ decades of C-suite level executive experience spanning multiple disciplines including product development, manufacturing, sales, channel development, engineering, system integration, wireless technologies, standards development and corporate finance and valuation and M&A.
“In this exciting environment it’s more important than ever to bring all the different elements of this growing industry together,” said Miller. “I am looking forward to working with the bsp team who are skilled at connecting our clients to the right partner ecosystem and to drive their business success effectively and efficiently.”
“We are thrilled to have Mary on board, adding new depth to our marketing capabilities,” said founding partner Lew Brown. “Her deep understanding of the smart home IoT business combined with a fantastic ‘can do’ attitude and creative problem-solving is a wonderful addition to the bsp team.”
To learn more about bluesalve partners please visit bluesalve.com.
About bluesalve partners
bluesalve partners is a full-service global consumer technology consulting firm comprised of industry veterans who have held a variety of roles in C-Suite, marketing, engineering, product management, business strategy, legal, and finance. Notorious for delivering big agency results with a hands-on customer-first boutique approach that efficiently delivers services from early-stage planning, through to complete product development and mergers & acquisitions.
Press Contact
Meghan Boots
bluesalve partners
meghan@3.86.193.120
CE Veteran Receives Accolades For Decades of Impact and Leadership
Oakland, CA January 26, 2021 - The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®
Small Business Council has honored bluesalve Co-Founding Partner Robert Heiblim with a tribute resolution in recognition and appreciation of his distinguished service to the consumer electronics industry. The resolution was presented at the CTA Small Business Council meeting in December.
The resolution and honor was presented by the Board of the CTA Small Business Council, which Mr. Heiblim helped formulate and grow, and for which he served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and now Chairman Ex Officio. The resolution not only paid tribute to Mr. Heiblim's work for the Council, but also noted his decades of "tremendous leadership, invaluable insights, and strategic vision, benefitting the industry, technology companies and consumers worldwide."
"We're extremely proud of Robert and appreciate CTA's Small Business Council recognition of the longstanding impact he's had on the consumer electronics industry," said fellow bluesalve partner Lew Brown. "From mentoring startups to advising global industry leaders, Robert has been a tireless force for innovation and business success."
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Robert, both for the Small Business Council as well as the larger themes and opportunities in the industry and CTA. Having followed me in the Chair’s role at SBC, he was able to hit the ground running, having already Chaired other divisions and councils. Robert brings many years of experience, having filled roles on all sides of the business: manufacture/supplier, retailer, e-tailer.....so nothing surprises him, he has seen and solved before!” said Paul M. Sabbah, President at Stamford International Inc.
“Robert always graciously provided guidance and insight to both the industry and CTA and his counsel to me as the in-coming Chair of SBC was invaluable,” said Frank Parrotto, Chair CTA Small Business Council and COO at Matrix Advisors, LLC.
Mr. Heiblim began his career in consumer electronics with the venerated Pacific Stereo chain back in 1973. In the decades since, his passion for audio technology has guided a career trajectory that ultimately led to his tenure as President of Denon Electronics, as well as senior executive positions with KH Holdings and Altec Lansing. Mr. Heiblim is past Chairman and Vice Chairman of the CTA Audio division. His work in helping set audio standards extends as far back as the Working Groups for the development of the compact disc and as recently as the definitions for high resolution audio and over the counter (OTC) technologies for the hard of hearing.
Beyond his contributions to the Audio Division, Mr. Heiblim has been a tireless participant and frequent leader of CTA initiatives serving a variety of constituencies. In addition to his work for the Small Business Council, he also serves as a CTA mentor, providing guidance and expertise to countless technology industry companies and professionals. Additionally, Mr. Heiblim is a member of the Board for the CTA Foundation, a non-profit initiative which improves the lives of tens of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities across the country on behalf of the industry.
"I am honored to have been granted this distinction by the CTA Small Business Council," said Mr. Heiblim. "My life's work has taken me on a tremendous journey through every corner of the most exciting industry I can think of. Technology can provide tremendous benefits and joy to all of humankind. I'm proud to have made contributions that were meaningful and am humbled by CTA's generous recognition."
Mr. Heiblim currently serves as a Co-Founding Partner of bluesalve partners, a global consultancy with a focus on consumer tech, IoT, and consumer goods.
About bluesalve Partners
bluesalve Partners, LLC is a consumer product consulting firm comprised of marketers, engineers, product managers, business strategists and legal/financial advisors – all of whom have spent decades in the consumer products and consumer technology sectors. With strong relationships across multiple channels and verticals, the partners provide services ranging from early-stage brainstorming to complete product development through mergers & acquisitions.
Ali and Sandu discuss STEM education and career paths to inspire STEM students and young professionals from every community and background.
November 12, 2020 — The STEM Success Summit seeks to empower and elevate students and young professionals from typically underrepresented communities to become the next diverse generation of STEM leaders. At the free virtual event from November 19 to 21, 2020, attendees can hear from more than 18 expert and influential speakers, including keynotes from actress, Harvard University graduate, and activist Tatyana Ali and Iddris Sandu, technological design consultant and engineer to Google, Snapchat, Twitter and more. Registration is open now.
“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Tatyana and Iddris to share their perspectives and experiences at the second annual STEM Success Summit. They are committed activists for supporting education to empower diversity for future STEM generations, and their direction and insight will be invaluable to the students and young professionals attending the STEM Success Summit, whether they’re deciding where to start their education or entering the workforce,” said Maynard Okereke, STEM Success Summit organizing team member and celebrity in his own right who recently appeared on the ABC TV show Shark Tank, and who also created the Hip Hop Science Show.
Tatyana Ali will speak on Friday, November 20, at 4 p.m. ET in a fireside chat, "Empowering Black & Brown Voices in Education," with Okereke. Her activism over the past two decades has been driven by her passion for inspiring and supporting children from all communities to reach any academic and professional goal. Her focus and experience with youth education advocacy brings a unique perspective to the STEM Success Summit, where young people can determine how to translate their passions to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She was also named the “Young, Gifted, and Black” Woman of the Year by BET and the Black Girls Rock organization for her work with the Millennium Momentum Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, and other organizations.
Iddris Sandu is a testament to an early start in STEM: He taught himself computer programming at his local library when he was 10 years old. Choosing an unusual path, Sandu began his career right after high school, growing from an intern to a consultant for some of the biggest names in tech, including Google, Lockheed Martin, Facebook/Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and many more. He’s been closely invested in youth education and mentoring, having worked with politicians to drive support for STEM education and technology programs. He is also building a youth resource center in Ghana, his native country, with the goal of increasing technology literacy. Sandu will present the closing keynote on November 21 6:00 p.m. ET, discussing his unique journey in the tech industry.
Sponsored by Best Buy, Bluesalve Partners, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Fascinate Inc., and STEMedia, the STEM Success Summit presents a diverse lineup of experienced and influential speakers to join Ali and Sandu, including Jessica Santana, co-founder and CEO, America On Tech; Manny De La Cruz, olefins optimizer, ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Sherika Ekpo, global D&I lead, research and artificial intelligence, Google; Gerald A Moore Sr., founder, Mission Fulfilled 20230 and the Online Technology School for Black Boys; Daphney Chery, AAAS science and technology fellow hosted at the Department of Defense; Lorena Soriano, founder and CEO, every POINT ONE, PBC, and more.
Register now for the STEM Success Summit and browse the full speaker list here.
About the STEM Success Summit
THE STEM Success Summit is a free virtual conference designed to equip and empower young adults (ages 18–35), who are traditionally underrepresented, to launch successful and meaningful careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/STEMsummit2020
Social Media #STEMSuccessSummit
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_STEMedia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STEM.Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/STEMedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stemedia-incorporated
Press Contact
Caster Communications, Inc.
O: 401-792-7080
PRESS RELEASE
Industry Veterans Merge Talents Across Renown Firms to Form Consulting Powerhouse
CE/IoT Partners and Blue Salve join forces to provide extensive, comprehensive consulting services to accelerate companies seeking success in the consumer marketplace.
Ashburn, VA – April 3, 2019 – CE/IoT Partners and Blue Salve are merging talents across both businesses into one powerhouse consulting firm, bluesalve partners LLC. Headed up by Avi Rosenthal of CE/IoT Partners and Robert Heiblim of Blue Salve, the merger sets the stage for the combined global company to be a go-to resource for stakeholders seeking industry-proven consulting services within technology, IoT, and consumer goods sectors.
Together, bluesalve partners have decades of C-suite level executive experience spanning multiple disciplines including product development, manufacturing, sales, marketing, channel development, software and hardware engineering, change management, operation, system integration, wireless technologies, standards development and corporate finance and valuation.
With the full roaster of the CE/IoT Partners team onboard (Avi Rosenthal, Duane Paulson, David Kaplan, and Dan Quigley) as well as the full original Blue Salve team (Robert Heiblim and Lew Brown) bluesalve partners LLC today announces that four additional industry veterans – Meghan Boots, Helen Heneveld, Fred Yando, and Charles Durant – have joined the firm as associates. All members of the firm bring unique experiences and key credentials to the group with specialized expertise in strategic planning, marketing, training operations, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and financial operations.
“The combination of all of this talent in one place is unprecedented in our industry,” said Avi Rosenthal, founder of IoT Consulting (2016) and now, Managing Partner for bluesalve partners. “While each of us are of us are proud of what we have accomplished individually, now that we have all of this industry talent under one roof, we’re excited to see what will be accomplished together.”
"Blue Salve has always focused on delivering results for our clients,” stated Robert Heiblim, Principal at Blue Salve. “bluesalve partners will provide clients with an even wider breadth of advice and consulting services. Together, our expanded network provides some of the best ideas and abilities in the business."
All members of bluesalve partners, LLC, have served on industry boards, received industry awards, served as presenters and panelists at major industry events, managed messaging to trade and general interest press, and established key relationships across all facets of the security and smart home industries. Members have also held key roles at start-ups and multinational organizations including Amazon, ADT, Nortek, GE Security/Interlogix, AMD, and Motorola.
To learn more about bluesalve partners, LLC, please visit www.bluesalve.com.
About bluesalve partners
bluesalve partners, LLC is a consumer product consulting firm comprised of marketers, engineers, product managers, business strategists and legal/financial advisors – all of whom have spent decades in the consumer products and consumer technology sectors. With strong relationships across multiple channels and verticals, the partners provide services such as early-stage brainstorming to complete product development and mergers & acquisitions. Serving companies globally, with team members in Virginia, California, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Minnesota, and Michigan, bluesalve partners was created by the merger of CE/IoT Partners and Blue Salve. The members are industry veterans with decades of experience, they have held key positions with start-ups and multinationals alike, including ADT, Amazon, AMD, GE Security/Interlogix, Motorola, and Nortek/2GIG.
Press Contact
Avi Rosenthal
bluesalve partners, LLC
202.922.6335