Former Microsoft exec now a board member at Sonos
updated 11:15 am EDT, Tue August 16, 2011
Robbie Bach joins Sonos as board member
The former president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices decision who was also key in creating the Xbox franchise, Robbie Bach, is now a board member at Sonos. John MacFarlane, the founder and CEO of Sonos, who makes Internet radio receivers and related hardware, personally asked Bach to join his company, wrote the WSJ. Bach is a long-time user of Sonos products and says part of their appeal is their ease of use.
Sonos, which has been around for eight years, expects to posts $250 million in revenue this year, or about double last year's. There are no plans to raise money from private investors or an IPO, MacFarlane said, calling either a distraction at this time.
Bach believes he can help improve Sonos' marketing and retail presence thanks to his experience at Microsoft. The company has mostly been left to shipping through online stores and relies more on word of mouth for its business.
Lately, Sonos has been working to get devices that are more easily sold at physical stores, where cost is more of a roadblock. The Play:3 at $299 is its most affordable system to date and doesn't need a Bridge, a ZonePlayer, or other devices to get on to a network and start playing music.
