March 10, 2006 Bang & Olufsen has released a signature series of limited edition BeoCom 2 cordless telephone handsets produced in honor of its 80 years of outstanding design and performance. The Limited Edition BeoCom 2 handsets are unique, as there will only be 600 collector's items produced world wide and exclusively sold in North America. The handsets will introduce a new colour specially developed for this series. In addition, three hundred units will feature unique patterns etched by hand directly onto the surface by Danish designer, Bess Kristoffersen. The handsets will each have its own identity, as each unit will be individually numbered and will showcase its own signature pattern.
"BeoCom 2 represents what our company strives to achieve -- it is an everyday object, refined and transformed into the perfect combination of innovative design and state-of-the-art performance," states Bang & Olufsen CEO, Torben Ballegaard Sorensen. "The inspiration for all of our product concepts comes from a myriad of places -- in this instance, it stems from the cutting edge technology of tomorrow, to the thoughts and actions of an artist inspired by nature herself."
"The patterns and structures that are to be found in nature remain a never-ending source of inspiration for me," states designer Bess Kristoffersen. "No two blades of grass are identical, and all living things contain minute differences that give so much pleasure once the eye discovers them. Everyone of this special series of BeoCom 2 phones will also have its own unique characteristics, even though the starting point for them was all the same."
With a corporate philosophy aimed to always make a difference, Bang & Olufsen will be donating 10% of the proceeds from the sale of each Limited Edition BeoCom 2 handset to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of education in America by restoring instrumental music education programs in America's public schools; and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of each child's complete education across the country. "At Bang & Olufsen, we recognize the importance of supporting young musicians and the positive impact music bestows on all of our lives," states Kim Gravesen, President of Bang & Olufsen America Inc. "Furthermore, BeoCom 2 represents this enthusiasm, with its unique ring tone, especially conducted by Danish composer Kenneth Knudsen."
"The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is so thankful to Bang & Olufsen for their support," said Paul Cothran, Executive Director, VH1 Save The Music. "Their understanding of the need for music education throughout our public schools will allow more public school students to receive the benefits that music brings."
BeoCom 2 handsets will be available for sale in North America this month. The original BeoCom 2 was launched in the US in 2004 and has been the top selling phone since its arrival. The limited edition phones can be found in Bang & Olufsen stores in the US, Canada, and Mexico and will retail at $1450 for the handset with the hand-carved etchings and $1000 for the remaining signature series.