On hand to celebrate the retail launch of Sony’s first Bravia OLED models were (left to right): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment SVP of worldwide digital strategy and advanced platforms Richard Berger; VAC co-founder Joseph Akhtarzad; Sony Electronics president Mike Fasulo; VAC co- founder Mayer Akhtarzad; and VAC corporate director Tom Campbell.
As reported last week, Sony began the retail launch of its OLED-based Bravia A1E models at a premiere event at Los Angeles-based Video & Audio Center’s (VAC) Topanga Village Mall location in Woodland Hills, CA.
Joining VAC co-founders Joseph and Mayer Akhtarazad and VAC corporate director Tom Campbell were Sony Electronics’ president Mike Fasulo and Richard Berger, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment SVP for worldwide digital strategy and advanced platforms.
Sony Electronics’ president Mike Fasulo (second from right) celebrates with first three customers to purchase the new BRAVIA OLED sets as VAC co-founder Joseph Akhtarzad (second from left) and VAC corporate director Tom Campbell write up the orders.
Pointing to Sony’s mission to provide “Quality, Design, and Innovation,” Fasulo and Berger previewed scenes from Sony Picture’s Spiderman Homecoming, opening in theaters on July 7, as well as scenes from Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, the first UltraHD Blu-ray in 4K/HDR with 60Hz frame rate. Pointing to OLED’s consistent picture presentation and super-accurate image quality, the new OLED sets were described as “the ultimate plasma replacement” that is not just a “Smart TV,” but a “Genius TV.”
On hand to celebrate the retail launch of Sony’s first Bravia OLED models were (left to right): VAC co-founder Joseph Akhtarzad; Sony Electronics president Mike Fasulo; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment SVP of worldwide digital strategy and advanced platforms Richard Berger; and VAC corporate director Tom Campbell.
The Sony-exclusive, “speaker in screen” Acoustic Surface technology was a big draw to a standing-room-only crowd that packed the store. As a proof-point, three customers purchased units immediately after the presentation, with one even buying two—a 55-inch and 65-inch version. Also proving the traffic draw of the premiere, one of the first three purchasers drove up to LA from San Diego after hearing about the event through V&AC’s radio advertising.
Sony’s Phil Jones points to the low-frequency driver (cover removed) that is integral to the rear stand of the new Bravia OLEDs that augments their Acoustic Surface technology.
A total of 16 units were sold in the first hour after the introduction, and based on demand, including the other three V&AC locations, they have already placed an order for airfreight delivery to meet expected demand.
