News Archives 2006

December 2006

November 2006

October 2006

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April 2006

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January 2006

Archives

November 2006

SF Marketing Inc. to Distribute Original Gig Bag

Another welcome complement to SF Marketing’s existing line of guitar products is the Original Gig Bag Company (OGB). OGB is comprised of a line of instrument cases and is owned and exclusively distributed by SF Marketing. The OGB line proposes a wide range of guitar and bass gig bags at an awesome value.

The OGB lineup is available in all the standard bag sizes as well as many hard to find bag shapes including Acoustic bass, Explorer style, Flying V style, ¾ size Classical guitar and 12 string/Jumbo. Every bag features a heavy-duty Nylon waterproof exterior with 25 mm, 2-layer padding (combined hard & soft) for superior protection and rigidity. Other OGB features include backpack-style shoulder straps, front and side handles for complete comfort and easy carrying, and t wo large front accessory compartments with added pockets for convenient storage of cell phones, water bottles, and much more. The bags also feature an extra large and removable neck block with security strap for increased stability during transport. Original Gig Bag’s outer-neck storage compartment provides the perfect space for the OGB Ultra Compact folding Guitar stand which is also part of the line.

 

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SF Marketing Inc. to Distribute Stephi Guitar Straps

SF Marketing is proud to announce their appointment as the exclusive Canadian distributor of Stephi guitar straps. Established in 1984, Stephi is a Canadian manufacturer of premium quality leather guitar straps. Stephi also manufactures the Drumfree brand of neoprene drum silencers. Over twenty years of fashion and design expertise as a belt and leather jacket manufacturer, have contributed to Stephi’s reputation as world-class leather crafters.

Together with SF Marketing, Stephi will offer musicians the best quality handcrafted products providing the extra comfort and style they are looking for.

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SF Marketing Inc. at Drum Fest 2006!
Meet SF Marketing at their Booths!

Make sure to visit our Mapex/Stagg and Shure booths where we’ll be presenting our exciting new products! In the Mapex/Stagg booth, we’ll introduce our latest Pro-M kit in the Classic configuration and feature our newest snare, the Black Panther G2 Tribal – already a head turner! You’ll also see the new Classic Series Stagg Cymbals in addition to some of our existing Stagg Cymbals series.

We invite you to take the opportunity to meet the following members of SF Marketing’s MI team:

Mapex - Drums & Accessories  Stagg
Sami Kizilbash: Product Manager - Mapex & Stagg
Marc-André Fournier : Product Manager - MI
George Bartolucci: Product Manager - MI
William D. Foster: Sales Representative - MI

Once again this year, Shure will be the official and exclusive microphone provider for every performance during Drum Fest. To learn more about this line, come meet us at our Shure booth (Saturday only) where we’ll be presenting Shure’s Wireless Systems, PSM In-Ear Monitors, Beta mics and KSM mics.

We equally invite you to take the opportunity to meet the following members of SF Marketing’s Shure team

Shure
Luisa Cabrita : Product Manager - Shure
Richard Boileau : Shure Specialist

Don’t miss Dom Famularo and Liberty DeVitto at the Mapex/Stagg booth on Saturday along with other incredible Mapex Canada Artists on Sunday!

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Free Mapex & Stagg Goodies!
Don’t miss our great giveaways!

First, after Dom Famularo and Liberty DeVitto’s performance on Saturday afternoon, we’ll give away two prizes: a Stagg DH 20” Heavy Exotic Ride Cymbal with a Deluxe Stagg Caddy Bag and our latest snare – the G2 Black Panther Limited Edition Stainless Steel Snare with the Black Panther carry case. Then, for the finale on Sunday, we’ll raffle off our Stagg YR Series Student Cymbal Set including 14" hi-hats and an 18" Crash/Ride with an 18" Bag.

See you there!

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October 2006

SF Marketing Now Distributing Daisy Rock Guitars in Canada!
Daisy Rock Signs SF Marketing as Exclusive Canadian Distributor  

Daisy Rock Guitars is proud to announce that SF Marketing is now the exclusive distributor of Daisy Rock Guitars and Basses in Canada.

Daisy Rock is the first company to create guitars and basses specifically designed for girls. To accommodate girls’ smaller hands and slighter builds, Daisy Rock Guitars have slimmer necks and lightweight contoured bodies, making them much easier for girls to handle and play. They also sound and look great!

SF Marketing has an outstanding reputation as a premier musical instrument distributor in Canada,” says Tish Ciravolo, President and Founderof Daisy Rock Guitars. “We’re very excited to have them help us with our international expansion.”

”We’re thrilled to be partnering with Daisy Rock Guitars,” says Jeff Sazant, Vice President, Musical Instrument Division for SF Marketing.Tish’s [founder] vision and commitment to girl guitarists worldwide is both genuine and admirable, and her special Daisy Rock designs have true merit. The instruments are the ideal blend of style and insightful design, appointed with world-class components and features. We believe Daisy Rock Guitars are perfect for girls everywhere, and we’re anxious to start spreading the word here in Canada.”

Artists including Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart), Lisa Loeb, The Donnas, Hillary Duff, Miley Cyrus, and even Jimmy Page’s daughters have joined the fun and love rocking out with their Daisy Rock guitars.

Visit daisyrock.com for more information and to find a dealer near you.

ABOUT DAISY ROCK GUITARS

Daisy Rock is the original girl-guitar company dedicated to successfully supplying and marketing pro-quality guitars for females. The company is led by its President, Tish Ciravolo, and co-owned and distributed by Alfred Publishing. Daisy Rock’s ongoing mission is to provide females of all ages with whatever it takes to learn to play guitar and enjoy music. Daisy Rock has established and continues to strengthen its reputation as “THE female guitar company.”

Daisy Rock, its talented management team, and its products have been continuously featured in worldwide mainstream media, including People, Time, Newsweek, ABC, NBC, FOX, VH1, CNN, the Premier Radio Network, BBC Radio the Associated Press, etc. The company was founded solely by Tish Ciravolo in October 2000.

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September 2006

Will Calhoun to Perform Clinics Across Canada

Will Calhoun, the widely acclaimed drummer from Living Colour, is scheduled to perform a series of drum clinics across Canada this September. These educational clinics feature Will’s outstanding improvisational technique, Q&A sessions, and autograph signings. Since his switch to Mapex drums last year, Will has performed Mapex clinics in Germany, Holland, Budapest, Hungary, New Zealand, Indonesia, USA, and France. Will Calhoun also plays Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks. The clinics will be hosted by Axe Music ( Calgary and Edmonton), Just Drums ( Toronto), and Drum Bazar ( Montreal). See details below for venue and contact information.

About Will Calhoun
Will Calhoun’s unique blend of improvisational and hard rock drumming can be found on each of Living Colour’s four Epic releases: the ground breaking multi-platinum debut, Vivid, the critically acclaimed sophomore LP, Time’s Up, the 1991 EP, Biscuits, 1993’s Stain, and their latest release on Sanctuary Records, CollideØscope. A prolific song writer, Will has co-written many Living Colour compositions and wrote the critically acclaimed song, “Pride” from the Time’s Up album and “Nothingness” on the Stain album. As a member of Living Colour, Will received a Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Hard Rock Performance by a Group and another Grammy in 1990 for Best Hard Rock Performance. Living Colour also won an International Rock Award in 1991 for Best Rock Band.

In addition to his work with Living Colour, Will has recorded and/or toured with diverse artists including B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jaco Pastorious, Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Jack Dejohnette, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning CD High Life), and recorded with rappers Run-DMC and Public Enemy. As a producer, player, and songwriter, Will has worked on Herb Alpert’s Grammy-nominated CD, Colors.

Special kudos for Will’s drumming virtuosity include: “Best New Drummer of 1988” by Modern Drummer Magazine’s Readers Poll; “Number One Progressive Drummer” by Modern Drummer Magazine’s Readers Poll three times (1989, 1991 & 1992); and Best Drummer Of 1990 by Rolling Stone Magazine’s Critics Poll.

Will’s latest creation is his follow-up release on the Halfnote label, Native Lands. The album can be described as “Jazz meets World, meets trance-inducing Urban music.” Among those contributing are Pharaoh Sanders, Mos Def, Buster Williams, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks, Marcus Miller and Wallace Roney, as well as Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil and Cheick Tidiane Seck from Mali. The album includes a DVD with over ninety minutes of music videos and documentary materials that chronicle the last ten years of Will’s life and travels.

Not many artists have the vision and artistic energy to be Grammy winners and contribute to so many genres: Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, Ambient, et al, while concurrently producing, touring, creating new projects, working on films, and continually pushing the envelope.

Do not miss this rare opportunity to watch Will Calhoun live!

Clinic Schedule*

  Date

  September 28

  September 29

  September 30

  October 1

  City

  Calgary

  Edmonton

  Toronto

  Montreal

  Venue

  Steinway Concert Hall

  John L. Hear Theatre

  Just Drums

  Theatre Plaza

  Address

  152, 6999 - 
  11th Street SE

  Grant MacEwan College
  Centre for Arts Campus
  10045 - 156 Street

  5431 Yonge Street

  6505 St-Hubert

  Host

  Axe Music Calgary

  Axe Music Edmonton

  Just Drums

  Drum Bazaar

  Contact

  403-243-5200

  780-471-2001

  416-226-1211

  514-276-3786

  Time

  6:30 PM

  7:00PM

  2:00PM

  7:30PM

*For more information please contact the clinic venue closest to you.

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We Have A Winner! Line 6 Canada Wide Contest Grand Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Tony Noble from Guelph, Ontario, the lucky winner of our Line 6 Variax 600/ PODxt Live Contest! In this exclusively Canadian contest, anyone who bought a Spider II combo amp between May 15 th and July 31 st, 2006 received afree FBV2 pedal or Amp cover and was then entered into a contest to win the Grand Prize of a Variax 600 Sunburst electric guitar and a PODxt Live! Tony (second from the left) bought his Spider II-112 from Long & McQuade in Cambridge and won! Apparently Tony was absolutely shocked when we delivered the good news and we had to earnestly convince him that it wasn’t a prank! As pictured, Tony chose to go with the Variax 600 in Black; good choice Tony!

We thank everyone across Canada who purchased a Spider II amp and participated in our contest. Stay tuned for upcoming Line 6 contests; you may be a winner!

From left to right: Glenn Murch (L&M), Tony Noble, Fred Burchill (L&M),
Adam Plante (SF Marketing), Steve Murphy (L&M)

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May 2006

SF Marketing Inc. to Distribute TonePros Locking Components

SF Marketing Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of TonePros for Canada. As of May 15 th, 2006, SF Marketing will be responsible for establishing TonePros as a leader in guitar hardware upgrades in Canada.

TonePros Sound Labs International is comprised of professional luthiers and sound design specialists with years of experience in the music production and design fields. After years of successfully working independently with music professionals, they joined forces to create TonePros in 1998 with the goal of solving common problems and improving sound quality for everyone from the novice player to the top professional. As the industry leader in innovative guitar hardware upgrades, TonePros is committed to providing superior quality products and services to all players of stringed instruments.

TonePros integrates a number of patented systems that have made it the upgrade choice of the world’s top guitarists and have made it standard equipment on the world’s best guitars. Their Patent Issued TonePros components provide increased sustain, allow for intonation perfection by solidifying the bridge position, produce an instrument that plays and stays in tune better, preserves the all important string height and adjustment settings, and solves the 50 year-old problem of components falling off and scratching or damaging the instrument face.

TonePros is the latest addition to SF Marketing’s Musical Instrument division and perfectly complements the company’s existing lines of electric guitars.

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April 2006

MOOG RELEASES BOB MOOG TRIBUTE EDITION SYNTH
The eye-catching “Little Phatty™

Analog synth enthusiasts around the world have a new reason to rejoice – Moog Music has just released the Little Phatty, one of the coolest looking analog synthesizers ever. With its sound engine designed by Bob Moog, the Little Phatty boasts a 100 percent analog signal path, 100 user editable presets and a 37-note keyboard with +/-2 Octave Transpose. Moog Music will initially release a special, limited edition run of 1,200 individually numbered Bob Moog Tribute Edition synths.

“We wanted to offer a true analog synth for musicians seeking a simple, clean front panel; in a visually stunning package; at a reasonable price point. I feel we accomplished all four objectives,” said Moog Music president, Mike Adams.

The Little Phatty is a performers dream and includes Real Analog Control (RAC TM ); a priority technology enabling the performer to directly interface with the analog circuitry via the knobs on the control panel, without any digital processing. Specifically, performers have RAC access to two ultra-stable Voltage Controlled Oscillators and one Voltage Controlled Filter. For additional sonic variety, performers can also crank up the Overload control for pre- and post-filter distortion. In all of these cases, the performer is directly connected to the sound engine with no digital latency; musicians have ultimate control.

“We’re all very excited about the Little Phatty because it is the realization of Bob’s dream to combine the Moog’s great analog sound with an instrument that is not only accessible to most musicians in terms of price, but as important, designed with performing in mind,” said Cyril Lance, senior engineer with Moog Music.

“We wanted the Little Phatty to be something folks will take to the gig, plug-in and immediately be digging into the rich legacy of Bob’s analog sounds without a lot of layers and complication: like an old-world synth with new-world attitude and innovation.”

“Everyone who has worked on the Little Phatty has put their heart, soul and an extraordinary amount of hard work into developing this instrument and I think it reflects the legacy that Bob left both as a pioneering engineer and as a human being,” said Lance.

 The limited run, Tribute Edition of the Little Phatty has special Moog wood side panels, a Bob Moog signature plate across the front and rear, comes with a CD-ROM featuring highlights of the Bob Moog Memorial Service and a special Bob Moog poster. The Little Phatty packs a lot of punch into an extremely attractive and affordable analog synthesizer. For those waiting to finally go analog, their time has come. The Little Phatty from Moog Music has arrived.

AVAILABLE FALL 2006

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MAPEX ADDS THREE NEW SPARKLE LACQUER FINISHES TO SATURN SERIES

Mapex introduced three new dramatic sparkle finishes for the Saturn Drum Series. Laser Canary is a bright yellow finish with subtle multi-color sparkles and Black Cherry Sparkle is a spectacularly rich, deep red sparkle with a high-gloss lacquer finish. The third new finish, Electric Blue Sparkle, is a highly flecked concentrated blue finish. All three finishes were specially formulated to take full advantage of intense stage lighting.

“These are three of the most impressive finishes we’ve ever introduced,” said Jeff Ivester, Director of Marketing for Mapex USA. “They look fantastic in a variety of lighting situations and should be very popular with touring players.”

The new Laser Canary finish has already enjoyed an illustrious debut when the prototype drum set traveled on a seven-city tour with Living Colour, featuring Mapex Artist, Will Calhoun. “The reaction to the drums was incredible,” says Calhoun. “Not only did the kit sound terrific, but people couldn’t stop commenting on the finish. I can’t say I blame them. I fell for the color the second I saw it.”

Like all Mapex lacquered drums, the new finishes are applied using a unique, eight coat, hand-rubbed procedure. This process results in Mapex’s celebrated, mirror-like, high-gloss finish. Mapex’s Saturn Series drums feature incredibly thin 6-ply, 5.1mm shells. The four outer plies are North American maple, while the two interior plies are walnut. The result is a drum with remarkable bottom end, full tonal range and an amazing amount of cut.

Saturn Series drums are available in five and six-piece sets and come complete with newly upgraded Mapex 750 Series double braced hardware. Individual components are also available.

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MAPEX INTRODUCES TWO NEW PRO M CONFIGURATIONS AND NEW EXCLUSIVE FINISHES

Mapex has added two new configurations to its all maple Pro M series of drums. Both configurations feature a cannon-like 22 x 20 bass drum. The four-piece Classic Configuration (PM4266A) consists of the 22 x 20 bass, a 12 x 9 tom tom, a 16 x 16 floor tom and a 14 x 7-inch snare drum.

In 2006, the Classic configuration is available in two new exclusive sparkle lacquer finishes. Bermuda Sparkle and Platinum Sparkle are vibrant, irresistible finishes for a drum set that was born to rock.

“We’re anticipating a very positive response to these kits,” said Joe Hibbs, Manager of Artist Relations and Product Development. “The kick sounds as impressive as it looks and the one up, one down setup will satisfy the needs of many players.”

For those looking for a huge rock sound, the Classic Plus (PM6296A) is a beast of a kit. In addition to the 22 x 20 kick, the Classic Plus includes 12 x 9 and 13 x 10 tom toms, 16 x 16 and 18 x 16 floor toms. The Classic Plus configuration is available in all nine standard Pro M finishes.

As an introductory incentive, Mapex is including a padded drum bag set with the purchase of a Classic or Classic Plus in 2006.

The Pro M features thin 7-ply, 6.1mm shells constructed of North American Maple. Five and six-piece sets are available and all come with double braced Mapex 550 Series Hardware and the newly upgraded double chain P750A bass drum pedal.

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MAPEX INVITES CONSUMERS TO “BUY THE KIT AND GET THE CAT”

Mapex has announced an exciting consumer incentive program for prospective Pro M Drum Series purchasers. The company’s “Buy a Kit, Get a Cat” promotion rewards Pro M drum set purchasers with a free auxiliary Black Panther snare drum. The free Black Panther snare drum (which carries a value of $499.99) is a 12”x 7” cherry and maple model that is exclusive to the promotion and cannot be purchased separately.

The Pro M features thin 7-ply, 5.8mm shells constructed of North American Maple. The tom toms are equipped with Mapex’s off-the-shell Isolation Tom System. Five and six-piece sets are available and all come with double braced Mapex 550 Series Hardware and the newly upgraded double chain P750A bass drum pedal.

“The Pro M has grown increasingly popular because consumers are discovering the value that is built into this kit,” said Scott Sasser, National Sales Manager for Mapex USA. “The thin, multi-ply, all maple construction used in the Pro M is identical to the process and materials used in drum sets that cost thousands of dollars more. Introducing an exotic Black Panther snare into the mix sweetens an already very irresistible deal.”

The “Buy a Kit, Get the Cat” promotion is scheduled to run throughout 2006 and is not valid with the Classic configuration (PM4266A) and Classic Plus configuration (PM6295A).

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MAPEX EXTENDS “6 FOR 5” PROMOTION AND ADDS “7 FOR 6” PROMOTION TO M BIRCH DRUM SERIES FOR 2006

Mapex has recently announced is decision to extend it’s popular “6 for 5” M Birch Promotion throughout 2006. In addition, the company is introducing a new “7 for 6” campaign. These year-long consumer promotions reward all purchasers of M Birch drum sets with a free 8 or 10-inch tom plus mounting hardware.

The M Birch was introduced by Mapex in 2005 and has met with tremendous success. The 6-ply, 7.2mm birch shell features an exterior maple veneer that accentuates the beauty of its transparent high-gloss lacquer finishes: Cherry, Honey Amber, Sapphire, Emerald Green and Purple. Two new fade finishes have been introduced for 2006, Black Forest Cherry and Black Forest Green.

The 6-piece Studio configuration (MB6225A) includes a 22 x 18 bass drum, tom toms that measure 10 x 8, 12 x 9, 14 x 11 and 16 x 13, and a 14 x 5.5 snare drum. With the “7 for 6” promotion, buyers will also receive a free 8 x 8 tom tom, as well as an AC901 Multi-clamp and TH684 Tom Arm. The M Birch Studio Configuration also comes with a full compliment of Mapex 500-Series double braced hardware.

The M Birch “6 for 5” Promo adds a free 8 or 10-inch tom to any one of four five-piece configurations (MB5255A, MB5225A, MB5245A, MB5045A). All kits include 500-Series Mapex double braced hardware.

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March 2006

SF Marketing Announces Sales Rep Appointment for Eastern Ontario
SF Marketing Inc. has announced the appointment of Kyle Brown, as sales representative for the Eastern Ontario.

SF Marketing is pleased to introduce Kyle Brown to it's sales team. Kyle will service Eastern Ontario representing Audio,Lighting,DJ products as well as Musical instruments. Having worked in the professional audio industry as well as managing a retail music store for many years, he possesses vast product knowledge. SF Marketing is confident Kyle's customers will be serviced with the utmost competence and professionalism!

Kyle can be contacted by e-mail at Kyle.Brown@sfm.ca or by phone (613) 813-5953.

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SF Marketing Inc. Acquires New Drums and Percussion Product Manager

Sami Kizilbash, a recent graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Management, has joined SF Marketing as the new Drums and Percussion Product Manager.   Directly after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce with a major in MIS, Sami embarked on a worldwide journey as an International Sales Consultant for an international media firm based in Belgium.  After successfully completing projects in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Sami returned to Montreal to pursue a career in musical instruments.

Sami has been a drummer for over 14 years, and has received a number of awards for compositions and performances, including an honor recital at the annual South-Asian International School Association’s Music Exhibition, as well as the grand prize at the Alliance Francais’ Fete de la Musique competition held in Karachi, Pakistan. He brings with him skilled expertise and a passion for music, along with sales and marketing experience. 

At SF Marketing, Sami will be managing and expanding SF’s exclusive drum and percussion lines (including Mapex Drums and Stagg Cymbals and Percussion).  He will be working closely with the suppliers, dealers and the sales team to ensure optimal exposure of these brands in Canada.  “We spent a considerable amount of time and resources searching for someone with Sami’s particular skills and experience, and we feel that he is a perfect fit with our organization,” remarks Jeff Sazant, Vice President Musical Instrument Division. “Together with Sami, we are confident we can continue to expand our brands into the Canadian market.”

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January 2006

SF MARKETING AWARDED "MAPEX INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR" HONORS AT 2006 WINTER NAMM

Anaheim, CA – Jan 18, 2006 – Montreal-based SF Marketing, received recognition as Mapex’s International Distributor of 2005 at the recently completed NAMM show in Anaheim, California. This award is presented annually to the Distributor which achieves the greatest growth in their respective market. Mapex, known for affordable hand-finished drum sets, has experienced remarkable growth over its 16 year history, and enjoyed an incredible 43% increase in worldwide sales for 2005. The award was presented to the SF Marketing MI team by Mapex General Manager Nelson Lan.

"This plaque is awarded to the Canadian team for their impressive results for Mapex in 2005", stated Lan. SF Marketing was chosen by Mapex to distribute their acclaimed line mid 2004. In less than two years, Mapex sales in Canada have grown by close to 300%.

Jeff Sazant , Vice President of SF’s MI Division remarked: "SF Marketing is a very passionate organization, and we invest heavily in the support and marketing of our product lines, Mapex in particular. We are genuinely honored to receive this recognition from Mapex and consider them wonderful business partners. Even with our amazing growth throughout 2005, we see many opportunities to continue to build the Mapex brand in Canada. The programs in place for 2006 are inventive and very compelling. Those and our ongoing efforts will continue to drive the brand ensuring Mapex’s position as a world leader in the Drum Industry”.

Receiving the Mapex International Distributor of the Year Award: Left to Right- Nelson Lan, General Manager KHS, Jeff Sazant, VP MI Division, George Bartolucci, MI Product Manager, Sami Kizilbash, Drums and Percussion Product Manager and Marc-Andre Fournier, MI Marketing Coordinator.

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