UK - 7thSense has promoted Jack Dowd to the position of product manager of the Delta Media Server range.
After joining the company in 2013 as systems engineer within the production department, Jack was promoted to technical sales and systems engineer as a key member of the 7thSense sales team in 2019 - providing technical support to customers, as well as the commissioning of systems on-site.
“Jack’s promotion is incredibly well-deserved, and a reflection of his vast understanding of, and contribution to, our Delta Media Server line of products,” notes Richard Brown, 7thSense CTO. “Jack has been instrumental in the development of new product features over the years, ensuring that our customers always receive the highest standard of service and support. We look forward to the next chapter with him as a new member of our expanding product management team.”
Dowd comments: “This is a hugely exciting time for the company as we prepare for a new chapter of expansion and product development. Delta Media Server has a global reputation as a leading technology of its kind, and I look forward to being on the front line as we introduce new features, product variations, hardware specifications and much more to our customers.”

USA - Atlona has promoted David Shamir to VP of product management. Reporting to Atlona co-founder and CEO Ilya Khayn, Shamir will continue to lead the company’s product strategy while expanding his responsibilities to oversee engineering and product development.
“Our industry was already very dynamic and constantly changing, but the pandemic has accelerated many existing trends while making AV more critical in environments such as small and home offices,” said Shamir. “With Covid-19, things are changing by the minute, making it challenging to accurately predict how the AV market will evolve. We will stay as nimble as possible to address our customers’ changing needs, while offering flexible solutions that help them adapt to world conditions and whatever their ‘new normal’ becomes.”
Shamir notes that the agility of Atlona’s solutions is strengthened by its leadership in the convergence of AV and IT, a hallmark that he intends to continue. “One of our core philosophies is ‘AV built for IT,’” he explained. “As remote learning, work-at-home, and hybrid working models become more prevalent, IT infrastructure is even more important for keeping everyone connected. We are crafting our products and roadmap with IT managers’ challenges in mind, while helping dealers and systems integrators efficiently meet customer needs.”
“David’s insight, experience and process implementation have been major factors in Atlona’s growth and innovation over the past five years,” said CEO Khayn. “We look forward to his expanded leaders

Canada - Solotech has announced the appointment of Omar Prashad as sales director, Ontario.
Prashad will be responsible of the leadership of the sales teams (Toronto and Ottawa offices), with the objective of establishing Solotech’s business position and growing revenue and market share in the province. He will oversee the development of key existing accounts in the live performance and entertainment sectors, while ensuring a strong diversification strategy to penetrate high-promising market segments such as corporate and education.
With over 15 years of experience in the systems integration business, namely at Westbury National, Advanced Presentation Solutions and DuoCom Canada, Omar Prashad has a strong background in managing and motivating sales teams, financial management and strategic planning initiatives.
“Omar’s proven vision and sales development curriculum make him an exceptional asset for our company. We are all looking forward to benefiting from his in-depth knowledge of the business and his vast expertise in systems integration. We are confident that he will help bring a new dynamic to our business and generate growth across Ontario”, said Philip Giffard, president, sales and systems integration division

Italy - Prolights has appointed David Ferraz to the position of marketing manager. David began his career at White Light in the UK after graduating in Live Events Technology from the University of South Wales. He later spent five years at Wireless Solution Sweden as their international business development manager, leading up distribution and marketing for the Swedish manufacturer.
In his new role, David will oversee new marketing strategies and business intelligence, and support the sales development team to open new opportunities for the rapidly expanding company. His technical background will allow him to tailor the marketing strategies to reach and communicate with the users more effectively.
“I have worked in different areas of the entertainment lighting market - my career started in technical support and then worked in business development, and I now have the opportunity to solidify the company's international presence and how it communicates with users” said Ferraz, reflecting on his new role.
Fabio Sorabella, Prolights' MD, commented: "I look forward to have David's expertise in digital marketing up and running, as we grow into different sectors of the industry. Our young and dynamic team welcomes David, who will fit perfectly with us."

USA - Rod Sintow, vice-president, Solotech sales and systems integration division, has announced the appointment of Brad Nelms as sales director of Solotech's Las Vegas office.
Nelms will be responsible for the leadership of the Las Vegas sales team, with the objective of establishing Solotech’s business position and growing revenue and market share in the region. He will oversee the development of key existing accounts in the live performance and entertainment sectors, while ensuring a strong diversification strategy to penetrate other high-promising market segments.
With over 15 years’ experience in sales management and operations, namely at ACT Lighting, VER and 4Wall Entertainment, Brad Nelms has considerable customer service skills and a strong background in personnel management, training and organisational development.
“Brad’s certifications and qualifications make him an excellent asset for our company. We are all looking forward to benefiting from his knowledge of the business and strong background in the entertainment technology industry”, said Sintow.

USA - The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) is mourning the loss of long-time Shure executive Mark Brunner. A former president of PAMA from 2011/13, Brunner was also a key member of PAMA’s marketing and retreat planning committees, where he lent an important and consistent voice to the strategic planning and implementation of various PAMA activities.
Brunner joined Shure in 1989 and during his tenure held several key positions, including Director of Advertising and managing director of the Musical Instrument and Touring Sound business unit. Most recently, Brunner was the vice president of global corporate & government relations, where he worked on numerous industry issues including the FCC rules for wireless device operation/frequency spectrum allocation and lobbied to protect the pro AV market sector.
Additionally, he was a prominent member of The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Manufacturers Council, where he frequently shared his views on legislative wireless white space and broadband issues as well as other related industry topics.
On behalf of PAMA, Greg Beebe, chair of the board of directors, states: “With the passing of Mark Brunner, we have surely lost one of the leading and most impassioned and valued voices of our industry. Mark always had a remarkably positive attitude. He was a mentor, a sounding board, an advocate of best practices, a good friend and generous supporter to all who knew him. He was the voice of reason and truly made a difference. Our loss is shared by the entire music community, as

USA - Meyer Sound has announced the promotion of four key staff, assigning each a broader scope of responsibilities to ‘streamline internal communications, increase operational efficiencies and accelerate the timelines from product planning to R&D through product development and global marketing’.
Tim Boot has been appointed director of global marketing, a new position that entails overall responsibility for product management, marketing, communications and education on a worldwide basis. Boot joined Meyer Sound in 2015 and has served in high-level sales, marketing and technology development roles, most recently as global brand manager.
John McMahon has been promoted to senior vice president. In his expanded role, McMahon assumes a full range of company-wide executive responsibilities while working closely with Meyer Sound’s executive team and company founders, president and CEO John Meyer and executive vice president Helen Meyer.
Marc Chutczer has moved up to the post of vice president of R&D, assuming coordinated leadership of all Meyer Sound R&D teams working on all technology platforms, including loudspeakers as well as digital systems. His prior position was vice president of digital programme management.
Mike Ulrich has been appointed Meyer Sound’s new vice president of operations, taking charge of all aspects of manufacturing, purchasing, quality control and test engineering. With Meyer Sound since 2014, Ulrich has broad experience in both engineering and new product development.
“At Meyer Sound we anticipate

USA - Lawo North America has announced the passing of VP of sales Michael Mueller.
“We mourn the premature passing of our colleague, team member, and friend, Michael Mueller (66); a truly unique colleague, with whom we at Lawo had the pleasure to work together for more than a decade,” says the company in a statement. “He passed away after a brief, yet severe illness on Saturday, 26 September, 2020 amid his loved ones.
“Michael Mueller brought a wealth of experience to his positions as US sales and marketing manager, and later as vice-president of sales, with Lawo North America. After his initial sales position with Audio Techniques of Stamford, CT in the mid to late 1980‘s, Mueller went on to assume positions with Scharff Weisberg Associates, Siemens Audio Inc. /AMS-Neve, Inc., Solid State Logic, and Fairlight USA. Prior to joining Lawo North America, he was vice-president, sales and marketing for MediaGear, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA.
“In his capacity with Lawo North America, Mueller was responsible for the further development of the Lawo brand identity throughout the United States and was also charged with increasing sales of the company’s numerous products.
“Michael joined the company in 2008 when the Lawo brand was hardly known in North America. Michael’s incredible passion, hard work, dedication, positive attitude and pure likeability, are among the reasons that the company today enjoys such widespread success and reputation in this part of the world.
“Known for his witty sense of humor and kind-hearted personality

UK - KV2 Audio has announced the sudden passing of their sales director David Croxton.
The company says in a statement:
"It is with the deepest and most sincere regret that we have to announce the shocking and unexpected passing of our dear friend and colleague David Croxton as the result of a fatal accident. He was 59.
"David joined the family of KV2 Audio in 2011, to fulfil a new Sales Director role within Asia Pacific, but initially as a curious non-believer of the technologies and theories of our founder and developer, George Krampera Snr.
"As was typical of David, he soon discovered through deep thought, questioning and actual operating of systems that he could not only understand and accept what was being proposed, but provide essential and additional complements with his quiet considered approach, linked to a deep well of knowledge and advice, usually delivered with his inimitable dry wit. Once on board he rapidly became the fiercest proponent of the company’s outlook and presentation.
"His determination, energy and endeavours were certainly a part of the company’s success throughout the world.
"Having worked in the audio industry throughout his career, David’s knowledge of touring systems and studio production recording coupled with his experience of having run a successful distribution business in his Australian homeland, provided unparalleled access to unique insights and knowledge to those involved with him throughout his work - insights and knowledge that will now be greatly missed.
"His passing has left b

UK - Unusual Rigging has shared the sad news that electrical and design engineer Paul Taylor - known affectionately as PT - lost his battle with cancer on 17th August 2020. He was 64.
A statement from Robin Elias on the company’s blog reads: “PT started his ‘Unusual years’ in March 1988. He joined the company because he felt that as he was now a family man, he should have a quiet 9-5 job! It did not quite turn out like that. He soon became one of the foundation stones of the company. PT was a pioneer in the field of automation and quickly established his position as our Electrics & Automation Guru.”
Elias continues: “He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Theatre and Automation and was happy to pass on his knowledge and expertise. In an atmosphere of impossible deadlines and challenging problems, none of us can remember PT ever raising his voice. He retained a serene disposition and a dry sense of humour.”
“During the 2012 Olympics, PT spent his time raising the flags for the swimming event medallists. People would ask him the daftest questions. One day he gave into his dry wit and advised someone who had asked what the big red button was for (the emergency stop), that it was to empty the pool if any of the swimmers were in distress. Satisfied that they now had insider knowledge they wandered off happily.”
“One project PT was particularly proud of involved programming and operating the automation desk for New York aerial choreographer Elizabeth Streb, for the cultural events leading up to the 2012 Olympics. He managed, a

USA - Danley Sound Labs has announced that Skip Welch, currently director of sales, will take on additional responsibilities as head of marketing. Welch’s new combined title will be director of sales & marketing.
“Skip spent his first seven years at Danley in the roles of Eastern regional manager and national sales manager,” said Jeff Pulliam, general manager at Danley Sound Labs. “He knows the audio industry inside and out and understands the growing niche that Danley holds within it. That, together with his native marketing sense and artistic abilities, make Skip the perfect person for the new role of director of sales & marketing.”
Welch added, “Although the pro audio industry, like so many industries, is facing difficult times, Danley is looking to the future with new projects and innovative technologies. Our team is energised and excited! I look forward to assisting the team and to spreading the word that Danley’s solutions are a big win-win for integrators, clients, and anyone who loves great audio.”

Germany - Atlona has added two technical experts to its EMEA sales and engineering teams to help bring customers’ AV system visions to life. Mustafa Bostanci and Timo Schonmeier join Atlona as sales engineer and technical sales engineer for Networked AV, effective immediately. Both report to Kobi Levy, director of technical services, and are based at Panduit’s Customer Briefing Centre (CBC) in Frankfurt.
Bostanci joins Atlona from AVI-SPL in Germany, where as lead technician he oversaw the installation, inspection and approval of AV systems and collaboration solutions for their end customers. His expertise in software solutions is particularly beneficial for Atlona partners and end users transitioning to AV over IP systems. Bostanci also brings 12 years of experience as an IT and network technician with at Messe Frankfurt, a well-known trade fair and event organizer, where he managed installation, operation and technical support of AV and IT systems.
In his new role, Bostanci will help Atlona partners and dealers develop IP and circuit-based AV systems, and support both customers and Atlona sales managers through all design and documentation processes. He will additionally assist with product demonstrations and customer trainings online, at the CBC, and on the road as situations allow.
Schonmeier is an experienced system support engineer and joins Atlona from Extron, where he took on roles of increasing responsibility over an eight-year period. His most recent position as system support engineer saw him focused on the commissioning of AV systems

USA - Denny McLane has joined Symetrix as the new manager of the customer experience team.
McLane began his career as the president and owner of Sound Techniques in North Hollywood, CA, where he designed and installed sound and video systems for churches, auditoriums, theatres, and provided live sound production for producer David Foster and his roster of artists. He later spent seven years at BSS Audio (Harman Pro) presiding over sales and support for Soundweb London for the Western US and most recently held the position of Consultant Liaison with Atlas-IED driving architectural projects toward their product offering. McLane is a true expert at bridging technical products and integrator/end-user needs.
“We're very excited to welcome Denny to the Symetrix family,” stated Dan Lynch, Symetrix VP of marketing. “As the leader of the customer experience team, Denny's extensive experience in the AV industry will be invaluable to help guide our support, training, and consultant liaison teams for Symetrix 2.0. Most importantly, Denny's personality is a perfect fit for the Symetrix family and he's going to be a welcome addition to the overall customer experience team.”
As Manager of the Customer Experience Team, McLane will manage departmental participation in product design, promotion, and sustaining engineering, while continuously driving systemic improvements of the training and technical support departments.
“I’ve observed the team that Symetrix has built and how they have evaluated customer facing management of the company to a calibr

UK - Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Courtney Hercules to the UK team, as regional sales manager.
Reporting to TIG's regional director UK & Ireland, Phil Breitschadel, Courtney will focus primarily on the Crestron range of solutions and will support integrators by advising on the most suitable tailored solution for their clients' specific needs - in any commercial, corporate and collaborative setting.
Phil Breitschadel comments, "Courtney clearly understands TIG's vision, which is to provide a fully compatible suite of premium AV, UC and control solutions that integrate harmoniously with Crestron to create superior smart spaces. He is a talented and knowledgable salesman, having developed his technical expertise in the AV and technology industries. We look forward to having him join the team."
Courtney adds: "Working for TIG and representing Crestron has been a dream of mine for many years! I'm excited to meet all of my colleagues and customers, and contribute to TIG's success story. As we share this opportunity to grow together in these uncertain times, I look forward to bringing drive, expertise and assisting as best I can."

Europe - Exertis has announced a number of senior appointments across its international division.
Christer Svärd is appointed managing director for Exertis Nordics. Christer was previously the CEO of Higab AB, a company that builds, manages, and cares for properties in Gothenburg and before that, he served as CEO of Volvo Parts, a global spare parts distributor.
“Being able to take charge of Exertis operations in the Nordics, in an exciting industry with a really strong owner, was an attractive prospect that I could not refuse. I have extensive experience in the supply chain and leading businesses with great growth potential which I hope fits very well into Exertis Nordics,” said Svärd.
Exertis Nordics also welcomes Helena Byström as supply chain director. For the past six years, Helena worked as a logistics manager at Zinzino, a direct sales company for food supplements where she oversaw the complete supply chain from purchasing inventory management to last-mile customer delivery. The role of supply chain director is new at Exertis Nordics and includes responsibility for the entire supply chain, the flow from suppliers to the end customer.
Exertis France has named Nadine Bloch as team director of purchasing and procurement. She joins Exertis after 20 years at Tech Data as purchasing and marketing director and five years at ADVEO as purchasing director. Nadine will be responsible for procurement processes across all business units of Exertis France.
At Exertis Middle East, Noel Shannon has been promoted to financial controller.<

UK - Audiologic has recently appointed Andrew Matthews as business manager for Ireland and Scotland. He will be responsible for maintaining and building on existing relationships with Audiologic’s integrator network, presenting the latest technical solutions from its suppliers and further developing the business in providing wide-ranging support for new projects and sales enquiries.
With a career that spans over 30 years, Matthews joins Audiologic from Bose Corporation where he was director/national sales manager for Ireland in all channels that included consumer electronics and live and installed sound.
Dave Smith, senior business manager at Audiologic, comments: “We are delighted to announce that Andrew has joined Audiologic, he brings with him extensive local knowledge, a fantastic approach to the customer experience and a wealth of expertise in advanced audio technology to match.”
Andrew comments, “When I knew this role was available, I knew immediately it was the perfect fit. Now I can leverage everything I have learned about the specific needs and excellent customer relationships I already have in these markets for the mutual benefit of all concerned. I am thrilled to have joined at a time when the company really is going from strength to strength.”

USA - LSi is sad to report that Howell Binkley, one of the most distinguished theatre/dance lighting designers of his generation, died on Friday 14th August in Jacksonville, North Carolina, of lung cancer. He was 64. "He was just a special spirit," his widow, Joyce Storey, told the Winston-Salem Journal. "He was adored by so many and will be missed by all."
According to the Journal, Binkley, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, attended Atkins High School, where he was first drawn to theatre. He worked at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem and graduated from Reynolds High School in 1974. After attending East Carolina University, he moved to New York in 1978, and began working with the Acting Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Early on, he established himself in the dance world, working with the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, MoMix, Peter Pucci Plus. Hubbard Street Dance, and American Ballet Theatre. Most famously, he was the cofounder and resident lighting designer for Parsons Dance, creating 85 original pieces for that company.
Binkley worked extensively in regional theatres, including the Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Alley Theatre, Guthrie Theater, McCarter Theatre, Hartford Stage, Signature Theatre, The Old Globe, and Shakespeare Theatre Company. He also designed six entries in the Kennedy Center’s Sondheim Celebration.
He made a notable Broadway debut in 1993 with Kiss of the Spider Woman; other productions included: How to Succeed in Busi

UK - Following the recent announcement of a strategic partnership with SFL, alongside its appointment of several new roles, WL is continuing to expand its production department, offering a complete technical service.
With so much recent change within both the wider world and live events industry, WL saw this as the ideal time to look at its existing production offering and assess how this could be broadened in order to further benefit the huge range of projects it delivers annually.
As such, it has restructured its existing team and created roles which will see them work even closer with clients in order to fulfil their creative requirements.
With many years of experience both at WL and in the technical production sector the account management team now consists of key account managers, Stuart Crane, Dominic Yates and Richard Stirzaker who have been joined by technical account manager, Joseph Smyth, adding additional technical skills, experience and knowledge in specific areas targeted for growth within the company.
Whilst certain job titles and roles have changed, the personal customer service and level of expertise will remain the same and any historical, existing or prospective Production clients are encouraged to contact the team as they would normally for any project.
Crane explains: “As a company, we are all about building and maintaining those relationships with our clients and offering them the best service possible. In my new role of Key Account Manager I look forward to continuing to work with customers old and new, listeni

USA - ClearOne has appointed AV industry expert, Craig Paller as senior director for sales development.
“ClearOne has always worked closely with partners to keep the sales organisation close to the pulse of the industry and providing that high-engagement our customers expect,” said ClearOne president and CEO Zee Hakimoglu. “Craig Paller fills a new position in our organization to engage even further with new verticals and new influencers– with the ClearOne mantra of approachability and support.”
Paller joins ClearOne with over 20-years of professional audio visual experience. He has held leadership positions with Harman Professional, Listen Technologies, and Shure, Inc., and most recently served as GM, Americas and global business development for Music Tribe.
“My background in sales, marketing and key customer development are crucial to expanding existing relationships while finding new areas of growth.” Paller states. “ClearOne has a great heritage, a wide portfolio and a fantastic solutions roadmap. I’m very excited to be part of this team, and I look forward to maximizing new opportunities for ClearOne.”

USA - UK-based loudspeaker manufacturer PMC has announced that pro audio industry expert Ted White has joined PMC USA as director of operations/chief engineer.
PMC is currently heavily involved in the supporting immersive audio by partnering with Dolby and Universal Music Group to develop and promote the Dolby Atmos format for music mixing.
“We are very excited that Ted has joined the PMC team in such a pivotal and dynamic role,” says Maurice Patist, president PMC USA. “While he was with Live Nation Studios he was responsible for mixing iTunes live concerts in surround sound and he is also very familiar with PMC products, having used them many times in studios and for trade shows and events. He is well known in the industry and incredibly well respected.
“Having someone of Ted’s calibre in a hands on role spanning many different disciplines will be a great asset for PMC as we move forward. There are a number of major Atmos Music projects in our business pipeline and we are delighted that Ted is here to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently.”
Ted’s pro audio career has spanned many management roles encompassing marketing, technical sales and service for companies such as Solid State Logic and Harman. He has also accumulated experience on the user side of the industry, working as a composer, music producer, engineer and audio mixer for West Coast facilities such as Conway Recording Studios, Media Hyperium Studios, Studio Intonato and Live Nation Studios. He joins PMC from Focusrite Pro, where for the last two years he has held

UK - Harman Professional Solutions has appointed Ben Payne as the head of sales for Martin Professional Lighting in EMEA. He has more than 20 years of experience in the theatrical and live entertainment industry.
“I am delighted to have Ben lead Martin Professional Lighting in EMEA. Having worked in theatre and live entertainment lighting for many years, Ben has an innate understanding of the needs of our customers and a passion for the lighting industry and the Martin brand,” says Hamid Soufian, vice president and GM for the EMEA region, Harman Professional. “I am particularly pleased that Ben’s promotion supports Harman’s global initiative to nurture internal talent and grow our people into key roles.”
Payne started working in theatres behind a lighting desk and quickly became a theatre technical manager for the Arts Theatre in Cambridge. He also worked as a lighting designer and production electrician, touring shows all over the world. In more recent years, Ben has worked with a number of leading UK rental companies and joined Harman in 2018.
"I am honoured to be given this opportunity to take the helm of Martin in EMEA,” Payne comments. “I am excited to work with our existing and new customers, and many talented and passionate individuals across the organisation.”

UK - Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the appointment of Matthew Bailey as regional sales manager UC for the United Kingdom.
He will work with the TIG sales division to bring his extensive experience of the unified communications market to the team and will be responsible for driving the development of new business for TIG’s ecosystem of brands that integrate with Crestron’s world-class UC portfolio.
Discussing this new role, Bailey says: “I'm really looking forward to embarking on this new journey at TIG in the Crestron UC space. With my experience, drive & passion for UC technologies, both Company and ultimately Client success are on the horizon - I simply cannot wait to start, meet everyone and get going at TIG.”
TIG’s CEO, Robin van Meeuwen adds: “I’d like to welcome Matthew to TIG. In the unusual circumstances that 2020 has presented we’ve all had to find new ways of working, and we’ve seen that Unified Communications are crucial business technologies. Matthew’s role will be to help businesses invest in UC to future-proof their working practices.”