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04 March 2025

Creative Consent - Organisations including the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain are urging the government to ensure creative work cannot be mined by artificial intelligence unless its creator has given express consent.

The government is consulting on targeted protections for the arts following a backlash against its controversial new plans, under which AI would be able to train easily on content unless its creators forbade it. But unions have warned that “the clock is ticking” to put safeguards in place against the “industrial-scale theft” they claim is already unfolding.

Equity and the WGGB have now demanded an opt-in model for creative workers, under which they must give permission for their work to be used by AI, as well as fair remuneration for artists where their content is used,

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03 March 2025

Australia - Follow-Me has announced a new partnership with ULA Group in Australia and New Zealand.

The partnership marks a milestone for both companies, expanding access to Follow-Me’s performer tracking technology across the region.

Follow-Me Track-iT combines RF tags worn by performers and strategically placed anchors to provide real-time positioning data, and extends the functionality of the Follow-Me 3D SIX system. It has most recently been used on several high-profile shows, including Mamma Mia! The Party in Rotterdam and on Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour, which is running until July 2025.

With nearly 35 years of experience in the industry, ULA Group is responsible for providing lighting solutions across an extensive range of markets.

“We’re delighted that Follow-Me has landed in Australi

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03 March 2025

Germany - Absen celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated showroom in Mörfelden-Walldorf on Thursday, 27 February. The display area has been transformed to showcase a wider range of Absen’s LED solutions from its ProAV, AbsenLive, and DOOH product portfolios, offering an immersive experience.

Tania Zhao, vice-president and president of display business group at Absen, expressed his excitement, stating: “Our Germany base is a vital resource for our teams and we are delighted to unveil this newly renovated Absen showroom. This innovative space provides a unique opportunity to showcase our diverse product displays, from our wide range of market segments to our European customers and partners.

“The updated showroom will further support the regional sales team and continue to strengthen our efforts across Europe, with a more timely and ef

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28 February 2025

Belgium - Chauvet has moved its European distribution hub to a new and greatly expanded facility. The new facility in Deinze is only about 9km from Chauvet's previous EU Hub in Kruisem, but in many ways, it is a long distance apart from its predecessor in terms of the capabilities it affords the Chauvet team to stock, sell, service and support their increasingly popular line of lighting products, including the award-winning Maverick, Ovation and MagicQ Stadium series.

Joining Chauvet facilities in the eastern and western United States, Mexico, the UK, France and Germany, the new 8,000 sq.m Belgian hub will support the complete line of Chauvet Professional, ChamSys, Chauvet DJ and Iluminarc products.

The building's six loading docks and 14,000 pallet spaces will expedite the processing of product shipments, resulting in even faster delivery times. Als

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27 February 2025

UK - Production Futures has announced that its next On Tour event will take place at the AO Arena, Manchester on Monday 28 April. The venue is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and will host a Production Futures event for the second time, following the success of last year’s arena debut.

Set to attract a wide range of young people from across North-West England and beyond, this free-of-charge event will promote employability, transferable skills, diversity, free training, networking, and will present paid work opportunities to newcomers across the live event and broadcast production industry.

Manufacturers, supply and production companies, venues and distributors will have representatives present at the event to provide advice, information and insights, and discuss specific job and training opportunities. Production Futures also wo

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27 February 2025

UAE - Optocore has awarded Thomsun Trading, its long-term partner in the Middle East, with its Best Distributor Award, in respect of outstanding performance over the past 12 months. The presentation was made during ISE 2025.

Although Thomsun has been Optocore’s distributor right across the GCC region for over 15 years, “the relationship between Optocore and Thomsun continues to grow,” according to Optocore sales manager, RadhaMohan Rajani.

“As the Middle East region sees continued growth, so Thomsun, who have offices around the region, are perfectly placed to continue representing us well, providing quality support locally. Their experience with our solutions makes them a perfect partner.

“Jose Dos Santos (senior marketing manager), our contact there, is a fantastic mediator between us and local clients who require our solutions or

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26 February 2025

Germany - At the 30th edition of Prolight + Sound (8-11 April 2025), the trade fair will present a significantly expanded ProAudio area. With innovative formats, optimised education and networking opportunities, and a focus on future-oriented technologies, the area will become a central hotspot for professionals and young talents, say the organisers.

Music and audio technology have always been essential elements of the event industry and are deeply rooted in the DNA of Prolight + Sound. In 2025, the trade fair will expand its offering for audio engineers, DJs and producers.

A number of well-known companies from the Pro Audio sector have already confirmed their participation in 2025, including Amate Audio, Babbel & Haeger with various sales brands, DAS Audio, Harmonic Design, HK Audio (Music & Sales professional GmbH), Kling & Freitag, KV2

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26 February 2025

Europe - HOF has a new partner in Iceland – Exton will be the official distributor for HOF products. “With this partnership, we have a strong player at our side to push HOF in Iceland,” says Edwin Duivelaar, export and sales manager at HOF.

Exton's sales team will ensure that HOF optimally complements and supports the existing brands in the Exton portfolio. Exton's rental department in particular has a wealth of experience and offers customised solutions for the event industry – with high-quality equipment and technology for events of all kinds.

In addition, Exton will enable HOF to be even better positioned in the area of installations, from event venues and exhibition centres to private and commercial buildings.

Sigurjón Sigurðsson, CEO at Exton, comments: “We appreciate HOF's innovative trussing systems, which offer a perfect s

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26 February 2025

India - In November 2024, Stagemix Technologies, the exclusive Indian distributor of Adam Hall Group brands LD Systems and Gravity, organised three roadshow events in the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The Stagemix team presented the extensive portfolio of the two brands on site. The focus was placed on the LD Systems Maila line array system with its flexible application options in the live, event, and fixed installation sectors.

The three well-attended roadshow stops were aimed at distributors, rental companies, system integrators, and installation service providers. The portfolio on display was correspondingly diverse: Maila for venues and medium-sized events, the LD Systems Tica series for permanent installations in various application areas, LD Systems Anny for musicians and mobile sound reinforcement applications, as well as the comprehensi

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25 February 2025

USA - Sennheiser has announced that the company has joined the North American Spectrum Alliance, a project of the non-profit North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) committed to identifying and taking action on technical and operational issues affecting radio and television broadcasters in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The alliance unites broadcasters, rightsholders, venues, and the entertainment industry to protect the critical radio spectrum used for broadcasting, wireless microphones, cameras, and other production tools – a goal that Sennheiser has been actively pursuing, too, both as a company and as a member of various associations.

The North American Spectrum Alliance presents a strong, unified voice for spectrum retention in a broadcast and production environment that is marked by recent spectrum reallocations and plans for po

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25 February 2025

Mexico - PRO3 – one of Mexico’s leading lighting and visual design studios, which also has a large stock of its own lighting equipment – has invested in more Robe moving lights in the last 18 months with the purchase of Fortes, Spiiders and RoboSpot systems.

The company was started in 2012 by three individuals all passionate about letting and delivering the best and most exciting shows and live experiences – Fulkas Camacho, Osvaldo Giuliano ‘Chicho’ and Juan Carlos Zamudio ‘Charly’, who are all lighting designers in their own right.

They brought new energy, innovation, enthusiasm and ideas to the Mexican production scene and have enjoyed considerable success working with a series of music and corporate clients. The company is still growing, and the ideas never stop flowing, with everyone bringing different personalities, concepts and

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25 February 2025

Sounds of Silence - More than 1,000 musicians – including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush – have released a silent album in protest at the UK government's planned changes to copyright law, which they say would make it easier for AI companies to train models using copyrighted work without a licence.

Under the new proposals, AI developers will be able to use creators' content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elect to "opt out". The artists hope the album, entitled Is This What We Want?, will draw attention to the potential impact on livelihoods and the UK music industry. All profits will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.

"In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?" Kate Bush said in a statement. A public consultation on the legal changes closes later today, Tuesday.

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24 February 2025

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24 February 2025

Canada - SFM has announced an improved comprehensive range of professional services designed to empower channel partners with the best AV solutions, under the new Plus branding.

SFM, which is now part of the international AV distribution operator Midwich Group, was instrumental in the initial development of the Plus global professional services offering.

Plus offers a range of services tailored to meet the different needs of each project.

“The launch of Plus is a significant step in our commitment to supporting our channel partners consistently across the globe. With SFM’s unique expertise, we're able to offer a level of support and services that truly sets us apart in the market,” says Randal Tucker, CEO and president at SFM.

“Whether it's a complex stadium project or a streamlined meeting room setup, Plus ensures our partner

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24 February 2025

Philippines - ARX Systems has announced the appointment of Manila-based Yupangco Electronics Corporation as its distributor for the Philippines.

ARX managing director Colin Park says: "The YEC Team has expressed their excitement about introducing our USB DI Series of interfaces, MSX series of signal distribution products, and AudioBox series of audio toolbox essentials to their pro audio, installation, and broadcast clients and market players in the Philippines industry.

"YEC are one of the leading music, professional audio and related products companies in the Philippines where their customer and brand support is renowned.”

In addition to ARX, YEC represents a variety of leading brands, including Harman Professional Solutions.

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21 February 2025

Italy - Powersoft has announced the signing of a binding investment agreement to acquire from H.P. Sound Equipment 51% of the share capital of K-array. The agreement also envisages the mutual granting of call and put options in favour of Powersoft and HP Sound, respectively, on the remaining 49% of K-array’s share capital. The closing of the transaction is, to date, expected by March 2025.

Luca Lastrucci, CEO of Powersoft comments: "We are excited to announce this acquisition, a significant strategic step for our company and the professional audio market. This transaction arises from a successful partnership between two companies that have been collaborating for many years now, with a strong territorial proximity and sharing a creative and innovative spirit, both convinced of the potential to create important product and technological synergies.

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21 February 2025

Poland - Renkus-Heinz has announced a new distribution partnership with Aplauz Audio, a well-established Polish distributor.

Founded in 2003, Aplauz Audio has built a reputation as a trusted distributor of premium audio solutions. The company initially started with audio and video cabling and high-quality connectors, but over the years, Aplauz has grown into a key player in the Polish audio market, offering solutions from renowned manufacturers such as Sennheiser, Neumann, Merging Technologies and more. 

“Renkus-Heinz is a well-known and recognised brand, producing high-quality products,” says Grzegorz Fotek, president and managing director of Aplauz Audio. “When choosing brands and products for the Polish market, we prioritise quality. Renkus-Heinz fits perfectly into our portfolio and complements our other brands.

“With Renkus-Hein

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21 February 2025

UK - Rigger.co.uk, based in Milton Keynes, has announced a significant investment in Milos S-QTQT 780 steel truss. The strategic acquisition reinforces the company’s commitment to providing robust, high-quality rigging solutions to the live events, entertainment, TV and broadcast sectors.

Milos S-QTQT 780 steel truss is renowned for its strength, durability and versatility, making it a suitable choice for heavy-duty applications. Designed to withstand substantial loads, it ensures enhanced safety and reliability for complex rigging structures. With this major investment in a steel superstructure for an upcoming production, Rigger.co.uk expands its inventory of premium rigging equipment, enabling the company to meet the growing demands of large-scale productions and installations. 

Founded in 2007, Rigger.co.uk has established itself as a leading a

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21 February 2025

USA - LEA Professional has announced its partnership with Thousand Oaks-based manufacturer’s representative, AV Partners. This partnership brings LEA’s technology catalogue to Southern California residential market customers.

This partnership will enable AV Partners to offer LEA Professional’s award-winning Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity. These series allow integrators to utilise cloud-based remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, allowing them to stay connected anywhere in the world.

"We always aim to offer our customers a full and complete experience when they work with us. As part of that package, LEA Professional has the ability to enhance their AV experiences,” said Eric Leicht, president of AV Partne

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21 February 2025

Cambodia - With the new partnership between LD Systems and Kfour Group Co, the Anny 10 mobile Bluetooth PA speaker with integrated battery and mixer is now available from the retailer. In addition to the Anny 10, Kfour's portfolio also includes the LD Systems Maui, Stinger, Icoa and Curv 500 series.

"LD Systems has been one of the leading pro audio brands in Cambodia for over 10 years," says Bunarong Kit, executive director of Kfour Group. "With the column speakers, we have broken new ground and created previously non-existent demand. The Anny series will also perfectly meet the growing demands of our customers and offer innovative solutions."

Markus Jahnel, COO of Adam Hall Group, adds: "We are delighted to further expand our collaboration with Kfour Group. Kfour is an experienced and trustworthy specialist retail partner that can optimally address

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20 February 2025

Singapore - Elation has announced the appointment of Lighting & Sound Distribution (LSD) as the new distributor of Elation and Obsidian products in Singapore, effective 1 January, 2025

Since its establishment in 2001, Lighting & Sound Distribution has been a key player in the Southeast Asian entertainment and architectural markets. LSD has built a reputation for excellence through turnkey projects across theatres, theme parks, night venues, hotels, shopping malls, cruise ships, and more. In addition to its comprehensive product line, LSD provides design, build, and programming services, as well as educational workshops and training for the community.

Louis Teo, founder and managing director of LSD, comments, "As the current market demands high-quality outdoor fixtures for temporary and permanent installations, Elation’s Paragon and Proteus

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19 February 2025

UK - PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries on 13-14 May 2025, bringing together the latest innovations and the brightest minds in live events, installation, and entertainment technology. The show will celebrate the people behind the industry, providing a unique platform for learning, networking, and hands-on exploration of cutting-edge technology.

With over 175 leading brands spanning audio, AV, lighting, rigging, and staging, the show floor will be brimming with groundbreaking technology and industry-first launches. Attendees can get hands-on with the latest products, connect directly with brand specialists, and build lasting relationships with industry peers.

Lighting professionals can explore leading brands including headline sponsor Ambersphere, alongside Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Europe, Entedi, ETC, GLP UK, Prolight, Robe UK, TMB, a

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19 February 2025

USA - RF spectrum is the lifeblood of all wireless communication systems like TV broadcasting, mobile networks, satellite systems, and wireless microphones. These wireless communication systems are all competing for this scarce vital resource. 

Shure Incorporated is forming the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA), a coalition of stakeholders who are committed to ensuring access to RF spectrum for wireless microphones. This alliance will include end users, content creators, live production service providers, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders.

The goal of this alliance is to advocate for access to the RF spectrum that allows events to operate using wireless microphones. Whether it is on a global stage or a community platform, the importance of preserving spectrum is vital for many reasons. Diverse industries rely on spectrum to s

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19 February 2025

China - Audinate Group and Beijing Film Academy (BFA) have announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate Dante Certified Training into the curriculum of BFA’s Sound School department.

As part of the agreement, the two organisations established a Dante Certified Training Centre at the BFA campus to expand education of IP-based audio and video systems and applications. Through the Dante Training Centre, the Chinese film industry will offer a comprehensive series of training opportunities for Dante AVoIP technology and cloud-based applications to expand students’ knowledge and prepare them for future career opportunities.

The BFA is the largest film academy in Asia and China’s premiere educational film production academy. Founded in 1950, BFA developed a multilevel, multidisciplinary cultivation system that embraces th