Our History

Emerald Communications - History

Emerald Communications was founded in July, 1991, as resource for manufacturers of professional communications products looking for a cost-effective means of establishing and managing reseller channels for their products.

The company was incorporated in 1996 and joined by our current president and general partner, Mark Robison, who brought with him a technical perspective in addition to his experience in sales and manufacturing. Previously, Mark had spent more than 10 years working with broadcast integration and manufacturing companies - first in engineering, then later as a product manager and finally as the director of sales & marketing for a specialized electronics manufacturing company doing both domestic and international sales. Mark's background includes experience in audio & video production, telecommunications systems, as well as consulting and contract work for an Atlanta-based medical marketing research firm, and consulting work developing reseller sales channels for one of the largest Canadian A/V and video companies in the industry. Mark personally manages accounts located in Georgia, Alabama and Mississppi.

Emerald Communications maintains both inside and field sales support staff. In November of 2003, we relocated our offices to our current physical address at 4122 Chattahoochee Trace in Duluth, GA, just about 15 miles northeast of the Atlanta perimeter.

In July, 2006 we were joined by John Wheeler, a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. John has over 20 years in the broadcast industry dating back to the days of Midwest Communications, where he managed the Notre Dame football team account.
John’s experience ranges from the design and sales of multi-camera studios and facilities to boardroom, corporate, and educational sales, as well as an extensive background in the latest technology in digital computer-based editing, animation, streaming video and DVD creation. An avid scuba diver and underwater videographer, with experience in both video production and sales, John manages the Florida territory and select accounts across the Caribbean. His email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In February of 2010, Emerald Communications was joined by Bruce Anderson who assumed responsibility for sales in TN, the Carolinas and Virginia from his location in Charlotte, NC.  Bruce's background includes a position as a regional sales manager for a major A/V distributor as well as having worked as a sales rep for Bose Corporation and previously on the retail side of things selling high-end consumer audio systems and components. His telephone numbers are: 704-831-8976 (office), and 704-564-8788. (mobile). His email address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Taken together, we are a strong coherent team that can help a manufacturer meet reasonable and attainable goals. The total cost of sales for utilizing a manufacturer's rep firm is far less than the cost of hiring, training and supporting a direct traveling sales force in the territory. Compare the cost of salary, benefits, travel, payroll taxes and office space for a team of 5 direct employees to a fixed cost of 7 -10% of net sales - always tied to sales success - and the benefit becomes obvious. If product doesn't get sold, we don't get paid.

Our goal is simple and clear - to be the best representative firm available in our industry. Whether a manufacturer is looking to set strict budgeting numbers for managing an established channel or looking to establish one for the first time, a quality independent manufacturer's rep firm can help.