Monster and Consumer Electronics Association Team Up To Subsidize Mobile Electronics Certified Professional Certification
BRISBANE, Calif.--July 27, 2004--| Program Will Provide Key Support to Mobile Industry by Certifying Installation and Store Personnel |
Monster(R) Cable Products, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance audio/video accessories and power products, has partnered with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to help Mobile industry installers and store personnel boost their knowledge and career by subsidizing Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) study materials and certification. The certification helps educate mobile professionals how to present better solutions to their customers by introducing car audio as a complete system -- speakers, subwoofers, interconnects, amplifiers -- as opposed to "stand-alone" audio components. The study material covers the latest information about on-board navigation and multimedia systems, as well as audio, security, troubleshooting, power, shop safety, mobile computing and installation techniques.
Qualifying program participants will receive $100 worth of Monster Performance Car products. This subsidy is available exclusively to Monster retailers' store and installation staff who become MECP-Certified between August 1 and December 31, 2004. The $100 voucher, redeemable for Monster Performance Car product, is designed to help cover participants' cost of the MECP testing itself, which can range anywhere from approximately $60 to $114, including study materials. Monster Performance Car is Monster's latest in a growing line of car power delivery solutions, connectors, interconnects, speaker cables and iPod accessories, all designed to deliver the highest-quality aftermarket performance car and mobile entertainment experiences.
"When a customer wants to upgrade their car audio, security, navigation or wireless systems, they look to the installers or store personnel for the knowledge, expertise and professionalism required to help guide their purchase decisions," said Gary Shapiro, President of the Consumer Electronics Association. "MECP Certification is designed to give retail personnel that knowledge, and we're proud to partner with Monster to bring it to the industry as a whole."
"The mobile industry has given Monster a lot, and we're excited to have this opportunity to give back," said Peter Radsliff, Monster's Director of Product Development and Marketing. "Partnering with CEA to offer MECP Certification is a natural extension of the training programs Monster already provides to its dealers."
The MECP certification program has many benefits, including convenience: participants can be certified at the local library, at industry events including the International Consumer Electronics Show, and even in a retailer's own store. With the participant's permission, Monster will also feature those attaining MECP certification on a "Wall of Fame" at the MonsterCable.com Website, including their name, photo, curriculum and employer. Successful certified professionals get two documents to showcase their achievement -- a voucher for $100 of Monster Performance Car Merchandise and an official certificate to display in their store. Other key certification benefits include career and income-enhancing knowledge and training, along with exposure to the latest real-world theory and techniques required to survive -- and thrive -- in the installation bay. Free MECP supplements are available on their Website, www.MECP.com, to help keep mobile professionals on the cutting edge of their industry.
ABOUT MONSTER CABLE
The Monster Cable division of Monster is the world's leading manufacturer of connectivity solutions for high performance audio, video, car audio, computer, console and computer gaming, professional audio and sound reinforcement. The Monster Power(R) division is the leading manufacturer of high performance AC power line conditioning and protection products for audio/video systems. Monster Power also sells a wide variety of rechargeable and single-use PowerCells(TM) as well as performance photographic equipment. M-Design is the newest addition to the Monster family of companies, making technology products you can live with. Visit www.MonsterCable.com.
ABOUT MECP
The Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) program is the only nationally-recognized program that certifies mobile electronics installers and sales people on the installation techniques and capabilities of automotive information technology, entertainment, navigation and safety/security systems. MECP issues Basic Installer (Bronze), Advanced Installer (Silver), Master Installer (Gold) and Mobile Product Specialist certifications to mobile electronics professionals who pass a written exam and meet the professional experience criteria. Installers are recertified every two to four years and are encouraged to progress toward achieving Master Installer certification.
Owned and operated by the Consumer Electronics Association, MECP has certified more than 25,000 installers since its creation in 1991. Nearly 10,000 professionals at thousands of retail locations across the country hold current MECP certifications and more than 5,000 installers take the certification exam annually.