They say “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but in the experience of Hunter Taylor, owner of inSight Security in Wetumpka, Ala., that old saying can be updated to “A video is worth $30,000.”

The video is one that he recently posted on the company’s Facebook page. It shows the MM720 Pulldown TV Mount from MantelMount, an industry-leading designer and manufacturer of manual and automated mounts for flatscreen televisions, in action. And the video, just 21 seconds in length, led directly to a $30,000 job for inSight. Of course, there were a few twists and turns along the way.

The customer for whom the installation was done had originally purchased a fixed mount a few years earlier to place her TV above their fireplace. However, the positioning of the fixed mount was too close to the mantel; consequently, the customer was unable to place any of her favorite knickknacks and personal items on display; the sound bar attached to the mount made the clearance even tighter. Taylor thought he had solved the problem by raising the fixed mount, but after about a year of watching a television that was mounted far too high for comfortable viewing (eye level is ideal, and this was far from that), the customer again turned to Taylor for a more permanent remedy.

Being familiar with the range of MantelMount products, Taylor decided that an MM540 mount would do the trick. Taylor was confident that the MM540 would give his customer the clearance she needed to decorate her mantel but also allow her to easily bring her TV down for optimal viewing – and just as easily put it back.

However, as Taylor was ordering the mount, Remy Kale, MantelMount’s business development manager, called him and mentioned that the company had just introduced an even better mount – the MM720. MantelMount’s most versatile manual pulldown model to date, the MM720, exclusive to MantelMount dealers, includes a new quick and easy tilt mechanism, additional handle options (including a new hideaway handle), and extended swivel. What’s more, despite its enhanced features, there is no increase in price – either to dealers or consumers – from the MM710, the model it replaced.

2024 Lighting Controls and Fixtures Report

Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.

Download your copy now!

Though it was slightly more expensive than the MM540 Taylor had quoted his customer, he chose to order the MM720. He did not charge the extra cost to the customer; rather, he elected to absorb the difference in cost between the two models, deciding that the experience of installing the MM720 and seeing firsthand how it performed was worth the investment. Taylor – whose company specializes in the installation and integration of audio/visual equipment, camera and security monitoring, access control, and full automation for homes and businesses — even offered to install the mount at no charge.

Posting MantelMount Video on Facebook

The installation went very smoothly, and the MM720 performed beautifully. In fact, Taylor was so impressed with the product’s clean look, durability, and functionality, he filmed a short video demonstrating the product’s smooth vertical and swivel motion, as well as the expert execution of the installation. And though the mount had been placed into a stone fireplace, Taylor noted that it was a relatively easy install and did not require a great deal of labor. Though the video was extremely short, it was obviously long enough to reap immediate rewards.

“Two days after the video was posted, a customer reached out to us,” noted Taylor. “He said he was building a house, and his dad sent him the MantelMount video. He loved how the installation came out and asked what else we did. After describing our range of services, he said that he would send me the plans to his house for review. “Little did I know what the job would turn into. All from a simple, 21-second video.”

What the job turned into was not only the installation of another MantelMount MM720, but a range of services, mostly audio. Specifically, Taylor’s people prewired the home for distributed audio throughout, both indoor and outdoor, as well as theater sound for the A/V system. They also configured the system for outdoor audio by the pool. All told, the project netted Taylor’s company a cool $30,000 – all from a single video.

Interestingly, though Taylor has previously posted a couple of other MantelMount installations (including one of the MM860, the company’s automated “smart” mount), this post garnered more response. “I think there’s just something about the MM720 that really looks cool and catches the eye,” Taylor mused. “The MM720 seems to have more of a ‘ghost’ appearance in the back, more of a skeletal design. Even in the down position, you really don’t notice the lifting arm very much, because it’s so flush with the wall.

“More than anything, I think that the video showed just how easily and smoothly the MM720 moved the TV into a perfect viewing position. It’s virtually effortless. And that certainly appeals to anyone who not only wants to be able to mount a TV above a fireplace, but who might be concerned about how hard it will be to move the mount.”

Taylor has another one that looks extremely promising. “We had another gentleman who saw the video and, although he didn’t need a mount, he was so impressed with the installation that he asked about our other capabilities. After chatting for a few minutes, he said, ‘I’ve got some other guys in here to do some work, but I’m going to kick them out and have you come over. We don’t have the job yet, but it’s quite likely it’s going to turn into a decent piece of work.”

Taylor added a final word about the MM720: “I can’t say enough about the performance and look of this product. Anyone mounting a TV on a wall – over a fireplace or not – should be checking out the MM720. They will not be disappointed.”

• Page 1