27-12-2012, 11:09 AM
LG Electronics
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Koreanmultinational electronics company headquartered in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, South Koreaand the flagship subsidiary of the LG Group. The company operates its business through five divisions: Mobile Communications, Home Entertainment, Home Appliances, Air Conditioning, and Energy Solutions. It is the world's second-largest television manufacturerafter Samsung,[2] and the world's fifth-largest mobile phone maker by unit sales in the second quarter of 2012.[3]
History
The company was originally established in 1958 as GoldStar, producing radios, TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.[4] The LG Group was formed through the merger of two Korean companies, Lucky and GoldStar, from which the abbreviation ofLG was derived. The current "Life's Good" slogan is a backronym. Before the corporatename change to LG, household products were sold under the brand name of Lucky, whileelectronic products were sold under the brand name of GoldStar (Hangul:금성). In January 2009 LG was able to buy the domain name LG.com, for a price reportedly to be more than $100 million, placing it among the companies who own their two letter brand's domain name.[5]
In 1994 GoldStar gained sponsorship from The 3DO Company to make the first 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. In 1995, GoldStar was renamed LG Electronics, and acquired the US electronics company Zenith. LG Solar Energy is a subsidiary formed in 2007 to allow LG Chem to supply polysilicon to LG Electronics for production of solar cells. In 2008, LG took its first dive into the solar panel manufacturing pool, as it announced apreliminary deal to form a joint venture with Conergy. Under the deal, set to be completed by year's end, LG would acquire a 75 percent stake in Conergy's Frankfurt solar-panel plant.[6] LG has produced camcorders called ARTCAM and DSLRs.[7]
By 2005, LG was a Top 100 global brand, and in 2006, LG recorded a brand growth of 14%.[8] Its display manufacturing affiliate, LG Display, is now the world's largest plasma panel manufacturer.[9]
[edit]Operations
LG Electronics has about 75 subsidiaries worldwide. LG Electronics owns Zenith and controls 37.91 percent of LG Display.[10]
Home Entertainment
The Home Entertainment division offers Plasma TVs, LCD TVs, PDP Modules, OLED Panels, USB Memory, Flat Panel Computer Monitors, Home Theater Systems, Blu-ray Disc players, DVD Recorders, Super Multi DVD Rewriters, CD±RW, Notebook PCs, Desktop PCs, MP3 Players [[Buy Modafinil 2oomg]]
The Home Entertainment division merged with the Business Solutions Division in October 2010.
Mobile Communications
An LG Optimus 3D mobile phone/smartphone
The Mobile Communications division provides mobile communication terminals, personal computers and communication devices.
LG mobile devices are made for GSM networks as well as for CDMA networks worldwide. LG phones are available also in unlocked versions that can be used on any GSM network worldwide.[11]
LG sold 116.7 million mobile phones in 2010, corresponding to a market share of 8.4%.[12]
Smart TVs and apps
LG Electronics introduced their first Internet TV in 2007, originally branded as "NetCast Entertainment Access" devices. They later renamed the 2011 Internet TV's to “LG Smart TV” when more interactive television features were added, that enables the audience to receive information from the Internet while at the same time watching conventional TV programming.[14][15] LG's Magic Remote uses Hillcrest Labs' Freespace technology to allow users to change channels using gestures.[16]
As of early 2012, British LG SmartTV users using TalkTalk as in ISP had had significant service issues with the BBC iPlayer.[17] LG have made no official comment, while the BBC have said that they are aware of the issue and are investigating.[18]
Advertising and sonic branding
The mnemonic G♭ E♭ F♭ D♭ E♭ C♭, (MP3 file of sonic logo) was produced by Musikvergnuegenand written by Walter Werzowa in 2008. The sonic tag has been featured in commercials and devices and is recognized worldwide.[citation needed]
Sponsorships
LG Electronics sponsored the English football club Weyside Rovers (Guildford) from 2000 until 2002 and the English football clubFulham F.C until July 2010. LG also sponsor the Fremantle Football Club (an Australian Football League team), the Costa Rican football club: Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, the Australian club National Rugby League team Cronulla Sharks, and the Argentinian clubBoca Juniors. In Brazil, LG sponsored Sao Paulo FC from 2001 to 2009, being with the club when they were World Champions in 2005 FIFA Club World Championship.
LG is one of the top sponsors of Cricket. It sponsors the International Cricket Council, world's governing body for cricket and other cricket tournaments like Cricket World Cup. It also sponsors ICC Awards.[19]
During the period 2001–2003 the company sponsored the snooker Grand Prix. During these years the tournament was known as the LG Cup.
LG now also sponsors London Fashion Week and the LG Arena in Birmingham.[20]
In 2008 LG became sponsors of the Extreme Sport 'FSO4 Freeze' festival[21] and in January 2009 LG became a Global Partner and Technology Partner of Formula One.[22] LG is now an official supplier to Virgin Racing, as well as Lotus Racing and engine manufacturer Cosworth.[23]
LG also sponsors one of Azerbaijan's most popular youth TV show - LG Knowledge Academy. The show became very popular in Azerbaijan among youth and adults, as one of first knowledge-science shows on Azerbaijani TV space.
LG sponsors the LG Mobile World Cup texting competition.
LG is listed in Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics where it ranked joint 13th (with Toshiba) out of 15 leading electronics makers in November 2011, scoring 2.8 out of 10. LG benefited from having a penalty point lifted from the previous edition (October 2010). The company was penalised for failing to meet its commitment to make products free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) by the end of 2010. All of LG's mobile phones are now free from PVC and BFRs while other products such as TVs and notebooks contain PVC/BFR free parts; LG aims to phase these substances out from TVs monitors and PCs by 2012 and household appliances by 2014.[25]
In the Guide the company scored badly on the Energy criteria, being criticized for setting a weak target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and not making renewable energy part of its low carbon strategy. LG scored most points in the Sustainable Operations category with the company providing take-back for obsolete phones in 52 countries and being in the process of addressing the issue ofconflict minerals. However, the guide warned that LG risks incurring a penalty point in future editions as it was still being listed as a client of Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) who have been linked to illegal logging and deforestation in Indonesia.[25]
Choice magazine, in independent tests of popular LG fridge models in 2010, found the energy consumption in two models was higher than claimed by LG. LG was aware of the problem and had offered compensation to affected customers.[26] In 2004, LG made 4A-rated water efficiency claims for numerous washing machines before they were certified. LG gave undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to provide appropriate corrective notices and upgrade and maintain its trade practices compliance program. In 2006, LG overstated energy efficiency on five of its air conditioner models and was again required to offer consumers rebates to cover the extra energy costs.[26]