New LG Home Entertainment Company CEO Reveals Business Strategies For 2015

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) today revealed its 2015 consumer electronics business strategy focused on leveraging LG's industry-leading, value-added products to expand business opportunities in the United States and around the world. At a VIP media roundtable during the 2015 International CES, Brian Kwon, the new Executive Vice President and CEO of the LG Home Entertainment Company, outlined the company's TV technology, product and marketing plans for the coming year, aggressive strategies designed to further enhance LG's competitiveness and profitability.

"We are determined to create further growth momentum in next-generation home entertainment business areas by providing innovative solutions and services," said Kwon. "We will heighten LG brand's profile in markets across the world by developing highly differentiated, world-class products, including our OLED TVs and ULTRA HD TVs. At the same time, we'll enhance the convergence strategy allowing us to move toward integrating an array of new Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that will enable our customers to connect their TVs to multiple devices more seamlessly," he said.

Addressing current global TV market conditions, Kwon noted that LG's emphasis on product and cost competitiveness will put the company in a more favorable position to ward off increased competition from China and protect itself from the repercussions of the weaker Japanese Yen. "We're implementing a series of marketing and product strategies to better position the LG in light of this intense competition."

Kwon cited four overarching strategies designed to solidify LG's leadership role in the home entertainment market: (1) leading the global OLED TV market, (2) expanding LG's penetration in the 4K ULTRA HD TV market, (3) securing a dominant position in providing outstanding user experiences, and (4) strengthening the product competitiveness of its IT and AV product lines.

Leading the Global OLED TV Market
"In 2014, LG focused on gaining business momentum and positioning itself for the future by actively promoting our flagship OLED TV lineup," said Kwon. "This year, we intend to significantly expand the market penetration of LG OLED TVs which have been receiving superb reviews as the next generation TV. LG OLED means perfect black, perfect colors and a breathtaking viewing experience. Collectively, our OLED technologies will propel us forward as a trusted leader in the global premium TV market."

LG launched the industry's first 4K OLED TVs in August 2014. Further demonstrating its technological capabilities for 2015, LG unveiled a slate of new OLED TVs at the 2015 CES, including 77-, 65- and 55-inch class models with curved, flat and flexible displays. LG is aiming to consolidate a global manufacturing system dedicated to OLED production in North America, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. Kwon noted that he is looking to increase the company's investment in OLED technology and sister company LG Display has already injected KRW 700 billion into upgrading its manufacturing facilities to produce larger OLED panels as part of this effort.

At the same time, LG is focused on further improving the price competitiveness of its OLED TVs via the synergy created among LG affiliates, as well as with improved components and advanced manufacturing technologies, Kwon explained. Collectively, these endeavors will drive OLED TV sales growth and allow more consumers to experience the advantages of LG's OLED technology over alternatives in the premium TV market. Meanwhile, LG will be expanding its OLED TV lineup, increasing supply to meet market demands and implementing an aggressive marketing strategy that includes strategic alliances with key retailers in each region.

Expanding 4K ULTRA HD TV's Market Penetration
At the 2015 International CES, LG is introducing the ColorPrime TV series. The series includes LG's highly praised 4K ULTRA HD TV products, which boast an enhanced color reproduction range, world class designs, rich sound quality and the company's new, user-convenient webOS 2.0 Smart TV platform. The ColorPrime series also include 4K ULTRA HD TVs featuring Quantum Dot technology which further demonstrate LG's commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology to consumers.

"Overall, CES is a great opportunity for customers to familiarize themselves with all of LG's impressive 4K ULTRA HD TV offerings," Kwon said. LG's expended lineup includes display sizes ranging from 40 to 105 inches, and the displays themselves come in curved and flat variations, including highly innovative technologies that are setting LG apart from competing manufacturers.

With this in mind, LG plans to rapidly increase its global 4K ULTRA HD TV market share in 2015 and beyond. LG is also looking forward to strengthening its marketing capabilities via joint efforts among its affiliates covering a comprehensive range of business areas, including R&D, product planning, sales and marketing.

Outstanding User Experiences via webOS 2.0 
LG's new webOS 2.0 Smart TV platform, unveiled at CES 2015, is an upgraded version of the company's highly successful original webOS platform. Kwon said this latest iteration is helping LG maintain its leadership in providing consumers with a user experience that is both compelling and ultimately rewarding. webOS was initially designed under the "Make TV Simple Again" concept in an effort to counter the growing frustration with overly complex systems. LG's webOS-enabled Smart TVs forecast to top 1 million mark in unit sales within the first half of 2015.

Strengthened AV and IT Product Competitiveness 
For 2015, LG is taking steps to revamp the structure of its home theater and video-related businesses to improve their profitability. These steps include enhancing marketing activities for high-end monitors such as the 21:9 UltraWide monitors, curved monitors and ULTRA HD display monitors. LG will also focus on improving the company's growth momentum by actively marketing its new sound bars and multi-room audio products, which are steadily gaining in popularity among consumers. At the same time, LG will continue to seek new business opportunities by harnessing the company's technological capabilities in IT convergence and IoT-based Smart Home innovations.

For more information, visit LG's online press room at www.LGnewsroom.com/ces2015.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing 82,000 people working in 119 locations around the world. With 2013 global sales of USD 53.10 billion (KRW 58.14 trillion), LG comprises four business units ― Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance & Air Solution, and Vehicle Components ― and is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

About LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company
The LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company is a global top player in television, audio video systems, monitors, personal computers, digital signage and commercial displays. The company opened a new era of innovation in the TV market, creating pioneering technologies like OLED TV and implementing an intuitive operating system to allow customers to experience the full benefits of smart TV technology. LG is committed to improving customers' lives with innovative home entertainment products led by its award-winning 4K OLED TVs, ULTRA HD TVs and webOS TVs. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

About LG Electronics USA
Named 4K Ultra HD Partner for the 2015 International CES®, LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $53 billion global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications, home appliances, air solutions and vehicle components. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, LED lighting and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. LG Electronics is a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150107/167450

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110203/CG42292LOGO-d

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lg.com