Clarion, JL Audio announce marine licensing agreement

In a joint announcement, Clarion Corporation of America and JL Audio, Inc. have entered into an exclusive, long-term agreement to license the Clarion brand to JL Audio for the United States, Canada and key international marine audio markets.

Effective Oct. 1, 2018, JL Audio will assume responsibility for the sales, support, marketing and future product development of Clarion-branded marine audio products in the United States and Canadian markets.

Key international marine markets will follow soon thereafter including Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and select Caribbean, Central and South American markets. No other international markets are included in the agreement.

“Clarion entered the marine audio market in the early 1990s with purpose-built high performance products, and quickly achieved a lasting leadership position in brand recognition and sales,” said Chris Honma, president of Clarion Corp. of America. “Given JL Audio’s commitment to cultivating and marketing top quality audio products in the marine market, we expect this licensing agreement to generate a great deal of synergy in servicing our existing OEM and retail customers, while providing our brand the ability to extend its presence in the marine markets.”

“Our team is ready, willing and able to accept the stewardship of the Clarion brand for the markets covered by the agreement, and we are very excited about the scope of the opportunity this presents,” said Andy Oxenhorn, president of JL Audio. “Clarion’s brand strength, product offerings and reputation for quality will help us deliver even more value to our OEM and retail marine customers.”