Posted 7:41 PM by Gene

Here's alarming news from JIM BAKKER'S FORMER HOMETOWN that seems to have gotten ZERO PLAY (and I can't directly link to it because this is an exceedingly cute Macromedia Flash-equipped site):

ScentAir Technologies Signs Major Distribution Deal
Muzak to distribute innovative aromatic products alongside its musical repertoire.
April 08, 2005

CHARLOTTE, NC – ScentAir Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of scent branding solutions for retailers and brand marketers, signed a multi-year deal with Muzak, LLC, to distribute ScentAir’s patented environmental scent systems to its clients.

Muzak, the nation’s premier music and audio messaging provider, agreed to deliver ScentAir’s innovative retail enhancement in conjunction with its music service as a way to more fully craft and develop an exclusive experience for its customers.

“We are extremely pleased with our new partnership with Muzak,” said ScentAir President and CEO David Van Epps. ScentAir approached Muzak because of its similar market and complementary product line that easily could be delivered to clients simultaneously. “The ScentAir/Muzak relationship is designed to allow Muzak to bring an important new service to its clients that enhances an already innovative brand. It's the perfect extension for a company that is all about creating experiences for its clients."

Fort Mill, SC-based Muzak and Charlotte, NC-based ScentAir finalized the multi-year agreement on April 4. Effective immediately, the deal specifies that Muzak will offer its clients the ScentAir service, while ScentAir opens up its full collection of scents and patented scent-systems to Muzak at a volume based wholesale pricing schedule. The distribution agreement is a product enhancement for both companies, opening up additional markets to each. Muzak and ScentAir will work in tandem – offering clients and their customers a myriad of original retail experiences.

“Our products are very compatible and it was an easy connection to make,” said Muzak Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing Kenny Kahn. “Throughout its 70-year history, Muzak has always been about enhancing the customer’s retail experience. Being a ScentAir distributor enables us to offer our clients another strong motivator. This is a powerful combination,” said Kahn. “It was a good fit for Muzak and a smart partnership for ScentAir.”

“Retailers can use music and aromas in similar ways to affect customers’ choices,” said Van Epps. “Researchers have proven that our sense of smell has a great impact on consumers’ behavior and mood. Couple an enticing smell with appropriate music and our clients can create a unique experience for their customers.”

TRANSLATION: Not being content to deafen us with its foreground abominations, MUZAK wants to stink us out of stores too. What's to prevent Muzak from dispensing other kinds of things in the air -- elixirs, for instance, to make people feel good? Haven't these IDIOTS heard of INDOOR AIR POLLUTION?

The good news: MUZAK's losing a lot of money, and its only "independent director" just quit because he complained the company wouldn't sumbit to an impartial audit. The bad news: It's losing money largely because of onerous interest payments on its debt; and what's more, MUZAK'S SALES ARE UP.

P. S. To get to this outrageous news you must do the following: go to Muzak.com, then click on your desired bandwidth in the right-hand window (it doesn't matter), then in the left-hand window under the heading "Information" click on "Muzak," then under the heading "01" click on "Press," then under the heading "02" click on "Press Releases." It's currently the one at the top. That the company went to such lengths to obscure this shows the it's up to NO GOOD.