USA - Behringer has appointed Dave Hooper as its new artist relations manager. Hooper has been a studio drummer since the age of 17; in that time he has acquired a wealth of industry connections and relationships.

Hooper will be responsible for creating and maintaining new endorsement programs for Behringer and Bugera, assembling a list of talent that will represent the two lines across the globe. Furthermore, Behringer will soon be creating a forum and blog platform that will allow potential endorsers to converse with Hooper and engage him directly.

As a performer, Hooper is highly respected and boasts a long list of collaborations with such artists as Sheryl Crow, David Sanborn, Manhattan Transfer, David Byrne, Marcus Miller, Lee Ritenour, George Duke and Donny Osmond.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - Vincenzo Marella is the new controller of Proel, the manufacturer and distributor of lighting, audio and video equipment, and owner of the Turbosound loudspeaker brand. Under the management control structure, he will have the responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, controlling, variance analysis and reporting of the multinational enterprise based in Abruzzo.

He will be responsible for supporting the division of the company towards achieving the goals set during the planning, and to detect the difference between plans and achievements, to establish and implement rapidly any corrective actions along with top management.

After graduating in Law and the attainment of a Master's degree in Finance Administration and Control, Vincenzo Marella has held management positions at Pirelli and C. Real Estate, Denso Manufacturing Italia S.p.A. and Valagro S.p.A. of Atessa.

The a

UK - Amidst the challenges of a worldwide recession, theatre consultancy Charcoalblue is bucking prevailing economic trends and expanding. The company has complemented its already diverse repertoire of employees with the welcome addition of four new consultants - James Thomas, Sonya Flynn, Chris Daniel and Ben Hanson.

Each brings their own unique specialist skills to the design table. James Thomas specialises in auditorium design and theatre planning, with emphasis on feasibility studies, concept and detail design. He brings 13 years experience as a qualified Architect and has worked at Fosters, Make and Thomas Heatherwick. Whilst at Foster and Partners he was part of the winning team for the Lincoln Centre New York.

Sonya Flynn's focus is on the planning aspects of theatre design. She brings nine years experience in architecture having worked with Hawkins Brown; Foster and Pa

UK - Paul Childerhouse has joined PSCo as special projects director, heading up the distributor's sales and service teams to increase its skills and understanding from the client side, offering additional support for their clients on projects.

Childerhouse joins PSCo from the role of CEO at trade only service company BITS. In his seven years with the company he headed up its sales force, introducing AV products to the company's business and managing large projects for the Royal Mail and BAA with JC Decaux. His previous industry experience also includes working with Fujitsu at the introduction of plasma technology, later implementing the UK's first plasma onsite warranty scheme in the UK.

Says Childerhouse: "The move to PSCo is a chance to work with like-minded people in a company that wants to add value, through technical expertise and new innovative technologies. I will

UK / Sweden - In the wake of the formation of Lab.gruppen UK Direct, the new direct-to-market sales outlet for all Lab.gruppen and Lake products in the UK, Lab.gruppen has announced the appointment of Simeon Ludwell to the position of UK sales manager with effect from 12 October.

Lab.gruppen international sales manager Claus Behrens says, "Sim has got just the right profile for this position. He's worked as a freelance sound engineer for several UK rental companies, and also has a comprehensive knowledge of the installation market through his experience with companies such as Autograph Sales and Allen & Heath where he was involved in product management and technical sales, so he's a great all-rounder. We're delighted to have him on board."

Ludwell himself is equally enthusiastic. "Lab.gruppen has a strong range of technically advanced products that are involved

USA - Following the untimely death of Monte Wise, the following tribute has been issued by Bosch Communications Systems Division VP Americas, Thomas Hansen:

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Monte Wise, systems applications specialist, pro sound, for Bosch's Communications Systems Division.

"Monte was an expert, a true professional. Monte's 'golden ears' were second to none in the pro audio industry, and he helped perfect thousands of sound systems across the Americas, making friends everywhere he went.

"A model for others, Monte's care for our customers was never-ending. No matter what the time of day, he went to extreme lengths to ensure their happiness. For many, Monte was a mentor who improved and helped shape their businesses.

"Always on the go, always smiling and always gracious and patient, Monte's hands-on know-how was an

UK - The trustees of the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced its search for a chief executive officer, to manage the business of the Association, to be its public face and to lead the organisation, as it grows to meet the increasing needs of today's membership and the theatre industry in general.

Founded in 1961, the ABTT was started by a small group of enthusiastic professionals, whose main objective was to raise technical standards in the theatre, through the collation and distribution of information on working methods, theatre planning, stage machinery, lighting and sound equipment, acoustics, scenery construction, stage management and all aspects of live performance.

Starting from a membership of under 100 almost 50 years ago, the ABTT currently enjoys a membership approaching 1800, drawn from theatre consultants, architects, engineers, designer

UK - White Light recently appointed Roger Deane as hire project manager. With a professional career dating back to 1979, his experience spans three decades of development in entertainment lighting.

Deane has worked at the coal face of live events in theatre, music touring, launches, celebrations and corporate shows as both freelance lighting designer and production electrician across Europe and North America. His business experience includes a decade as a company director, building a corporate rental house to become the leading quality brand, and several years with a premium event production house managing the operation and building a full service offer.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Nine years ago, it was the situation of lighting designer Tom Donnellan, at home caring for his dying wife and caring for his young daughters, which provided the impetus to set up Light Relief. Now, as if to prove that lightning does indeed strike twice, Light Relief is once again helping Tom, as he not only battles with his own cancer, but also copes with effectively being on the 'dole' as the company he worked with closed down.

On hearing that Tom was in need of immediate assistance to cope with day-to-day living, the trustees of Light Relief had no hesitation in stepping forward with a 'no strings attached' grant. Rick Fisher, co-founder of Light Relief, said: "This is exactly the type of situation for which Light Relief was formed. Tom is receiving chemotherapy, which leaves him extremely tired and unable to work and although he received help from social services,

USA - Harman Professional has announced the creation of a new senior executive position, head of corporate development, and the appointment of seasoned business development leader, Jim H. Huang, to fill the role. Reporting directly to Michael MacDonald, executive vice-president of marketing and sales and to Greg Henry, chief financial officer, Huang is responsible for driving growth strategies including market analysis, M&A activities and emerging market initiatives such as branding, channel strategy and local sourcing and manufacturing.

Jim Huang will also work with David Jin and M. Lakshminarayan, China and India country managers and with Charles Owen, vice-president of corporate strategy, to dovetail Harman Professional strategies with the Harman corporate strategy. According to Michael MacDonald, Jim Huang will add a new dimension of focus, experience and commercial expertis

UK - Cooper Controls confirms that after eight years with Zero 88, Graham Eales has resigned.

"Graham made significant contributions to Zero 88 during his eight years, during which time the brand launched Frog consoles and the Chilli dimming range. We would like to thank Graham for his years of service and wish him well in his future endeavours" comments Ken Walma, general manager, Cooper Controls.

With this change, Cooper Controls says it is "taking the opportunity to restructure the Zero 88 brand to better service customers, increase sales, and support new product development".

With immediate effect Grant Bales-Smith will take on responsibility for Zero 88 profitability in all markets outside the Americas as well as sales responsibility for UK, Southern Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Franck Tiesing will continue to manage Northern & Eastern Europe as Z

UK - Graham Eales has joined Philips Lighting us as entertainment controls systems director, Europe. Eales has had an extensive career in the industry, most recently he was managing director for Zero 88 in the UK.

"The breadth of product and technologies that Philips owns will allow us to set the standard in control of systems that are coming to dominate the entertainment and architainment lighting businesses," says Eales. "Our wide range of Strand Lighting dimming, control and networking products combined with our Selecon luminaire range are powerful tools on which we will be working to build and develop our entertainment businesses."

In related news, Peter Rogers, senior director entertainment marketing at Philips Lighting reports that in North America several changes are in progress. "In December we will move our Cypress customer service operations

Switzerland - Barix has hired Fabrizio Campanale as engineering manager. Campanale will work out of the company's headquarters in Zurich, leading and managing the development team and its operations to ensure proper and efficient planning and execution of all engineering projects.

Campanale comes to Barix with a strong engineering background and more than 11 years of advanced product development, including nine years with Philips, NXP and ST-NXP Wireless where he most recently served as programme manager in the audio and video peripherals business unit management team. While at NXP, Campanale designed, developed and managed multimedia and connectivity products for the wireless industry.

In his new role, Campanale will merge his electronic engineer roots with his project management competence to lead a multicultural engineering team and improve development performances that pos

UK - The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has congratulated leading theatre consultant Richard on his 50 years of continuous membership.

In the late 1950s, a teenage Richard Brett - studying engineering at University College London - joined the Institution of Electrical Engineering as a student member. Richard went on to become a Fellow of the IEE in 1986 after gaining many years of engineering and management experience as a theatre consultant. Now called the IET - formed in 2006 by the amalgamation of the IEE and the Institution of Incorporate Engineers - the Institution has recently congratulated Richard on his 50 years of continuous membership.

In the intervening years, Richard left university and undertook one of the last Graduate Apprenticeships offered by the BBC and then worked on planning the new colour television studios coming into service in the mid 1

USA - Aviom has confirmed the promotion of Kim Treanor to director of customer service and sales support.

Treanor has a long history with the company, most recently working as the marketing and corporate communications specialist and previously serving as executive assistant to president and CEO Carl Bader. In her new position, Treanor is responsible for overseeing the company's customer, technical, and sales support functions and staff.

"Aviom has always had a reputation for providing excellent customer service and support, but we know there are still lots of ways we can work more efficiently and, at the same time, improve our customer experience. Kim will be instrumental in leading our efforts to define this industry's standard for outstanding support," says Bader, Aviom's president and CEO. "Kim has extensive knowledge of the company and its products and has

Germany - Riku Mikael Kauppinen is MA Lighting's new regional sales manager for the Russian, Eastern European and Scandinavian market. MA's managing director Michael Althaus welcomed Kauppinen on board and is looking forward to a successful teamwork.

Kauppinen was previously regional sales manager for PRG Distribution. He has been working for more than a decade in various roles in the business including product sales and rental, lighting design and touring.

Kauppinen comments: "I am very thrilled to join MA Lighting. Becoming a part of vibrant MA community and discovering and implementing cutting-edge technological solutions for our industry's growing needs is truly a positive challenge."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Spaceworks Furniture Hire and Well Dressed Tables has expanded its team with the appointment of marketing and sales assistant manager Tanya Harding.

Harding has several years of experience within the international events industry in similar roles. She says, "My role will involve ensuring that Spaceworks' extensive product ranges and ever changing offers are communicated to existing and potential clients through creative marketing campaigns and regular website updates.

"Both Spaceworks and Well Dressed Tables have a lot of exciting projects coming up for 2010 and I will be making sure that venues and organisers are kept up to date about new products and seasonal offers.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Sadly, we report the untimely death of Cadac's Mark Ray. The following statement was issued by Cadac yesterday:

"With great sadness, Cadac Holdings Ltd today announced the sudden and tragic death, at the age of 49, of Mark Ray. Mark died of a heart attack in the early hours of Monday 9 November 2009, whilst visiting New York."

Ray fronted Cadac's sales and marketing activity around the world for nine years, joining Cadac in November 2000.

Cadac's Bob Thomas said, "We are all devastated, losing a good friend as well as a colleague. Mark gave every element of his life 100% - as a passionate advocate for Cadac, as a gifted musician and as an active contributor to the pro-audio industry. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mark's family and friends. All of us at Cadac will miss him enormously."

After serving in the Army, Ray's career had included spell

UK - The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers held its annual Institute Day on Thursday, 15 October 2009 in Watford. During the AGM, Terry Baldwin CompInstSCE was appointed president of the Institute, taking over from Bryan Robinson FInstSCE, who held office for the past three years. Both paid tribute to fellow past president and council member, the late David Hopkins OBE.

Terry Baldwin has been a prominent figure in the sound system industry for over 50 years. As joint founder of Baldwin-Boxall Communications, he has rarely been out of the limelight, and he has earned for the company, an enviable reputation for quality and reliability (and hospitality!).

The Institute says it is extremely grateful for Terry's acceptance of the Presidency at short notice after the sad death of David Hopkins, who was due to take on the role.

The day comprised the ever popular Warre

UK / Spain - MGC Lamps has announced two new appointments to its sales team. Brian Rainford will be joining the stage & studio department in the UK and Salvador Escoruela Rodriguez will expand the sales team in MGC's Spanish offices in Valencia.

James Greig, managing director, says: "I would like to extend a warm welcome to both Brian and Salvador. They will be joining an established and successful team and I am sure they will contribute to the continued growth of MGC Lamps."

(Jim Evans)

UK - PSCo has appointed Mark Warden as a project manager to support its integration partners, working with its clients from a position of experience and understanding from every side of the sales process including service, sales and engineering.

Warden, who joins the company with 10 years AV experience, has worked at two of the industry's leading integration companies, Saville Audio Visual and Matrix Display Systems. His experience includes starting as an AV engineer progressing to the position of project manager within Saville Audio Visual during his six years with the company.

"PSCo gave me an irresistible opportunity to work for a company with a great portfolio of products and an experienced team of engineers and technicians," says Warden. "I am looking forward to working with the integration channel, where I gained most of my experience, to manage PSCo's fla

USA - ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) presented the 2009 Eva Swan Award to Rick Rudolph for his exceptional service over many years to the Association and to The ESTA Foundation.

The award was presented at ESTA's Annual Dinner on 19 November by executive director Lori Rubinstein who spoke about the breadth of Rick's volunteer activities. His past efforts include serving two terms as a dealer director, chairing the Technical Education Committee, and chairing the committee that created The ESTA Foundation. Rick currently serves as Chair of ESTA's Member Recognition and Awards Committee, as Vice Chair of The ESTA Foundation, and as Chair of the Behind the Scenes Committee.

Lori Rubinstein spoke about the respect Rick has garnered from his colleagues and from the Association's staff for his thoughtfulness, his practicality, the passion that motivates h

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light continues to expand its staff to allow it to cope with the wide range of projects it is involved with worldwide. Coincidentally, a number of the new staff have come from the Central School of Speech and Drama, reflecting the industry-related training the college offers its students.

The latest recruit to White Light is Nathaniel Seekins, who joins the company as a CAD technician after completing a BA in Theatre Practice at Central, following on from majoring in Technical Theatre and Design at the University of Connecticut. "I was introduced to the company two years ago by lighting designer David Howe, who I was assisting at the time. Since then I've come in for console training and carried out some work for White Light's production team. I decided to join White Light mainly because of the company's excellent reputation in the

USA - Elation Professional presented its annual Elation Education Experience Award (E3) to Thomas Pendergrass of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, at the recent LDI Expo in Orlando, Florida. Elation Professional created E3 in 2006 to encourage young lighting designers to pursue careers in the House of Worship (HOW) market.

While at the LDI Expo, Pendergrass had the opportunity to speak with House of Worship lighting experts and learn more about the field. He also received a private tour of the Elation booth and had dinner with Elation executives.

Pendergrass was selected because of his dedication and talent in the field of lighting design. "We developed the E3 contest to enable young LD's and students to see the opportunities that exist in the House of Worship market," said Eric Loader, director of marketing. "Thomas Pendergrass' work is exceptional and we are

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