UK - While Paradigm AV founder Greg Jeffreys prepares to take over the role of president of InfoComm in 2012, new appointments have been announced to the board of his engineering and distribution company.

Paradigm reports that sales manager Mick Perrone and operations manager, Steve Pratt have joined the main board with immediate effect and are appointed as directors. This expands the working board, led by managing director Paul Wood to five members. Greg Jeffreys remains chairman and Polly Whittaker as finance director. At the same time Ross Hugo has been appointed as a non-executive director.

Meanwhile Jeffreys has ascended through the InfoComm ranks. His academic work on projected image quality and associated metrics gradually merged into InfoComm's pioneering work on quality standards and best practices. InfoComm is now an accredited ANSI/ISO Standards Development Organisa

Germany - The Music Group has announced the departure of Michael Deeb from the roles of group CEO and director. Uli Behringer and Arie van den Broek will lead the Group on an interim basis as it searches for a permanent CEO replacement. Arie van den Broek served Behringer as CEO for several years.

Founder and chairman Uli Behringer stated, "Changes are always challenging but also present great opportunities. We have just celebrated our 20th anniversary and as we enter our third decade, we are once again reinventing our company."

The Music Group recently acquired the Midas and Klark Teknik brands and embarked on a major repositioning of the Behringer brand. Uli Behringer continued, "Despite the change internally, this will not impact the high level of service our dealers and customers have grown to expect. I am confident that we have the very best team in the ind

UK - London-based theatre consultancy Theatreplan has announced that Robin Townley joined the practice at the beginning of February. Prior to taking up his position at Theatreplan, Robin had been responsible for managing major venue development projects for over 12 years, most recently as building project director on behalf of DanceEast in Ipswich.

Robin's involvement in the project to create a new dance facility within the new Waterfront development, called DanceHouse, generated plaudits from the whole development team. Robin Bater, Area Building Control Surveyor for Ipswich Borough Council said: "It has been a pleasure to work with someone who has such a depth of knowledge in the field of theatre design." Russell Williams, Interim Chief Executive of Ipswich Borough Council added: "On behalf of Ipswich Borough Council, I would like to thank you for your hard work

UK - GearSource Europe has announced the appointment of Benjamin Hollenberg to assist in developing the market for pre-owned lighting and sound equipment in Benelux and Germany.

Hollenberg has worked many years in lighting and sound sales, having previously been sales & investment manager with Focus, Amsterdam. His understanding of the business stems from his earlier 'hands-on' activities as a lighting technician for local Dutch bands and musical theatre.

Garry Nelsson, GearSource Europe's owner said, "I've known Benjamin for several years and had always considered him to be the ideal candidate to expand our activities in the Benelux region and on into Germany. He joins Keith Dale in London, Michelle Morin in Paris and Monica Savio in Milan."

(Jim Evans)

UK - UK loudspeaker and amplifier company OHM(UK)Ltd has appointed David Hackett as their fairground representative.

As a member of a well established Lancashire Showman's dynasty, David has long been an OHM user and an advocate of good fairground sound. Recently handling over the day to day running of his rides to his son David Junior, David has started promoting OHM around the fairgrounds in the UK.

"Fairgrounds bring a unique set of problems for the sound provider," says David. "The system must supply high quality music reproduction and clear safety announcements to the public whilst on the ride without interfering with adjacent attractions. I have used OHM for a number of years and I am pleased to become a dealer of their products."

"We have always been interested in the fairground sound business and now is an ideal time to be promoting British b

UK - Cooper Controls UK has announced the appointment of Ken Berreen as sales manager UK, Middle East & Africa for its Zero 88 and State Automation entertainment brands. As part of the company's ongoing restructure and strategy for the performance entertainment marketplace, Berreen will be responsible for managing day to day sales and commercial activities for the Zero 88 entertainment lighting control and State Automation high density dimming system product ranges in these markets.

Berreen started in the entertainment lighting business in 1977, gaining a full understanding of electrical installations working for Theatre Sound & Lighting, as a freelance technician at the Shaw Theatre and also gaining formal qualifications with an electricity supply company.

In the last ten years Berreen has worked as a lighting project manager, technical supervisor at the Millennium Dome in Lo

UK - Systems integrator IVC Media, has has strengthened its management team with the appointment of John Smith to the board. Smith's remit will be to focus the company on converged market sectors and coincides with a renewed direction for the organisation.

"The world has changed and IVC is changing with it," confirms John Smith, sales director IVC Media. "No two clients are alike and the majority of our customers now require tailored solutions. As a systems integrator with a vast knowledge gained developing some of the world's leading IT, AV and broadcast installations, IVC is now well placed to source, supply and deliver best-of-breed solutions that precisely match customer needs, and those of the future.

"Our focus is predominantly on converged solutions being delivered over IP networks," continues Smith. "On the one hand, that may mean deliveri

UK - Lighting Technology Projects (LTP) has announced the appointment of Casey Ryan as business development manager.

This is part of a planned expansion strategy by the architectural lighting specification & project delivery specialist, which is part of the PAI Group of Companies based in Wales.

Casey left her post as creative & technical support engineer at the UK base of leading LED lighting systems manufacturer and solutions provider, Traxon Technologies. She had been there for four years, and prior to that studied a bachelor's degree in Philosophy with minors in Neuroscience & Theology at The University of Birmingham.

LTP's Terry Reeves says, "We're delighted to have someone of Casey's calibre onboard. A large part of our work involves LED technology, and her knowledge of that industry and its issues plus her extensive experience working with LED lightsources and sy

UAE - Renkus-Heinz has appointed Norbert Bau as its sales representative for the Middle East, with immediate effect.

Based in Dubai, Norbert Bau has worked closely with Renkus-Heinz for the past four years as part of its Middle East distribution network. He has now joined the company to help build on the strong growth for Renkus-Heinz in the region.

Prior to working with the Renkus-Heinz brand, Bau had spent some six years in South East Asia and the Middle East running the broadcast section of Klotz Digital Asia, building high level contacts in the region.

Bau comments: "We have been working together for nearly four years and the relationship became stronger and closer with the success of the Iconyx product line in many very prestigious locations including major airports and auditoriums.

"At the end of the day we found there is a fantastic chemistry between us an

UK - Essential Lighting has announced the appointment of two new lighting designers to its full service division. Under the leadersnhip of the head of full service, John McEvoy, new designers Tanya Noble and Adam Power will be working alongside senior designer, Neil Harvey, to deliver lighting projects for Essential's clients.

Tanya Noble started her career working for PRG in 2002. Following a spell as a moving light technician, she went freelance, later taking a position with production company Banana Split, where she managed and designed the lighting for a range of projects.

Adam Power has been working for Essential for three years, developing his technical and design knowledge working onsite across a range of events, acquiring experience and respect along the way.

Martin Lubach, Essential's managing director, commented, "We are delighted that our policy of looking to

UK - Ian Staddon has just weeks to go before he lines up on London's Blackheath with more than 30,000 others to run all 26 miles and 385 yards of the Virgin London Marathon. Better known for running Studer's global sales team, Ian Staddon is making his second attempt at the distance and is hoping to raise a pile of money for his charity, Alstrom Syndrome UK.

"Childhood blindness, hearing loss, heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes type two, obesity and many other health problems are caused by this horrible disease," says Staddon. "Providing support and advice to those who have to live with this illness, Alstrom Syndrome UK (ASUK) is a small family-run charity which has been fantastically helpful to my own family and our wonderful daughter Chloe.

"Chloe lost her battle to Alstrom Syndrome last year, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, just after her 16th birt

UK - Sean Pagel from Production Services Ireland (PSI) has become the first person in Northern Ireland to attain the Professional Lighting & Sound Association (PLASA)'s National Rigging Certificate (NRC) Level 3 'rigging supervisor' level.

Pagel, a director of the Belfast based lighting rental and sales company, says: "With health & safety issues increasingly topping all rigging agendas, and our commitment to offering clients the very best and highest quality services, industry driven and recognised qualifications like this are vitally important."

PLASA's National Rigging Certificate demonstrates that individuals have reached a professional standard within their chosen rigging discipline. The NRC is not yet a compulsory scheme, but increasingly major UK venues are requiring it for riggers working in their spaces. PSI undertakes a lot of rigging projects in both Irela

UK - David Neale, who has died at the age of 65, was one of the light and sound industry's great frontiersmen.

He helped start Disco International magazine in October 1976 at a time when the word 'disco' had scarcely been invented. And when the following month the inaugural meeting of the trade association now known as PLASA took place, David was on the founding committee.

Yet by this time he had already spent several years galvanizing the nascent sound and lighting companies, in pop weekly Record Mirror's burgeoning Disco Mirror supplement ... laying down the cornerstones which helped to shape today's great global industry.

Born in Maidstone, Kent, David went onto become a vigorous campaigner and outspoken commentator - particularly during his second term of office at PLASA (né BADEM), his Sabatier-sharp wit striking fear into fellow committee members.<

USA - Bosch Security Systems has announced that John F. Anderson has assumed the role of product marketing manager, intercom.

Anderson will support the Americas region in his new role, applying his substantial industry experience and strong marketing background to develop and implement marketing strategies for RTS and Telex intercom products. Acting as the focal point for the voice of the customer in this segment, Anderson will report to Daniel Gundlach, VP Marketing - Americas.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Caroline Felton has been appointed interim Chief Executive at Creative & Cultural Skills. She takes over today from Tom Bewick and will lead Creative & Cultural Skills' next phase of development, creating a new strategic plan with staff and trustees.

Felton, whose extensive experience spans both the commercial and public sectors, said, 'I am extremely pleased to be joining Creative & Cultural Skills when there is so much potential for future development. I have a passionate commitment to skills, training and professional development and believe that there is much more work to be done on this within the creative and cultural industries.

"We will continue to campaign to ensure that education and training genuinely meets the needs of those we represent, and to ensure that the voices of employers across the UK are being heard. I look forward to working with Creative & Cu

UK - Following the successful launch of MicroTiles at ISE2010, Amsterdam, Christie has announced changes within its sales structure that assure this new product area is given the appropriate focus.

It has been confirmed that Joe Graziano will fulfil the new role of market development manager - MicroTiles. He has been closely aligned to the launch preparations for MicroTiles, preparing the EMEA market prior to the recent ISE2010 launch platform. His new role will position him as product champion, enabling him to support the regional sales team across EMEA as well as find and close business directly, says the company.

Graziano states: "I am thrilled with the new role and the amazing opportunity I have to be involved with such a special product as MicroTiles. I am eager to get in amongst the EMEA base and all our partners to help them make the most of their business opportun

UK - Gemma Jaques has joined Richard Martin Lighting as marketing coordinator after five successful years as office manager Neg Earth.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead and being part of a fresh and energetic environment. I hope to bring my previously acquired skills and make a positive contribution to what is an already great set up," says Jaques.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Roscolab Ltd is proud to have supported the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund with its recent sponsorship of Philip Norfolk of MA Lighting who, along with a team of 10 led by PSA's Andy Lenthall, ran the Bath Half Marathon at the beginning of March.

President Mark Engel and senior sales manager UK, Paul de Ville, each pledged £150 on behalf of Roscolab USA and UK respectively, towards sponsoring the runners.

"When Phil approached us and said he was to attempt a Half Marathon on behalf of the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund, I told him that only people over a certain age would know what he was talking about and that I would normally eat the whole thing!" says Paul de Ville. "However, when he explained that he was actually referring to a sponsored run and outlined the work that the Fund does, we felt it was a very worthwhile cause and pledged our support imme

UK - Arcstream AV has recruited Neil Manwaring as its new sales and operations director.

Manwaring has previous experience within the exhibition and events industries from working within AV rental company ATC for five years as its sales manager where he was responsible for growing the business and working with clients within the aviation and defence industries. From there, he became sales director at Exhibition Organisers Fairs & Exhibitions before going on to manage his own exhibition company in the Middle East.

Manwaring comments: "Arcstream is positioned within a niche part of the industry where we are able react to specific needs of each client, creating bespoke solutions to fit any brief. I'm looking forward to developing new business and enhancing events with our cutting edge technologies."

(Jim Evans)

Germany / Austria - L-Acoustics has announced the appointment of Thomas Adt as new sales manager for Germany and Austria. Adt joins L-Acoustics with more than 30 years' experience in the sound reinforcement industry, having worked as co-owner of a rental company and for one of Germany's largest audio manufacturers. This practical experience is combined with in-depth studies of musicology. The combination makes Adt a positive asset to the L-Acoustics Germany team, the company says.

"Germany and Austria are two of our 'direct' domestic markets, and they are both enjoying significant growth," says Jochen Frohn, L-Acoustics' international business development director. "With Thomas we have found an expert who can support both our professional approach in the field, and our customers' expectations and requests. Thomas is a positive team player as well as a technology-m

Germany - Robe lighting has scheduled 11 new product launches for Prolight&Sound Frankfurt 2010. These include:

The Robin Series of moving lights is expanded to include a powerful and versatile 600 range and a Classic 300 range of fully-featured value-conscious units.

The ColorBeam 2500E AT is added to Robe's AT Series, taking the concept of concentrated high powered lightsources into a new dimension, and Light4ce is a new robust and very bright range of indoor and outdoor LED fixtures.

The Profile version of Robe's flagship ColorSpot 1200E AT series drew a lot of interest from theatre and TV market after its preview at the last PLASA show. On top of many the features and functions of the ColorSpot 1200E AT it has inbuilt modular framing shutters that enable the fixture to be used like any standard profile discharge lightsource, when very precise framing and pin-pointing of

USA - Meyer Sound has announced the appointments of Jason Rauhoff to the position of technical support / digital products specialist, Michael Maxson to technical support manager, and Brandon Rice to trade show coordinator / technical support. These personnel announcements will further strengthen Meyer Sound's support for its growing user base, says the company.

"Besides our innovative audio solutions, one of Meyer Sound's strengths is our responsive and expert support with a strong understanding of the needs in mission-critical live sound environments, as well as cinema and fixed installation markets," says John Monitto, Meyer Sound's director of technical support. "Jason, Michael, and Brandon have all made their marks in various areas of professional audio and are excellent resources as we continue to expand our support capabilities."

A noted FOH mixer, pr

UK - City Theatrical has announced that Alex Cowan has joined the City Theatrical London office in the role of European sales manager.

Cowan comes to City Theatrical from Pixelrange where he was the international sales manager, covering Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and South Africa. Prior to that, he was with HSL in Blackburn in the role of new business executive.

Alex's role at City Theatrical will be building the City Theatrical distribution network in Europe, and helping customers to get the lighting accessories they need from City Theatrical's broad range of award winning products.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Aviom is confirming several staff promotions at this year's Musikmesse / Prolight&Sound show.

Gary Lee, who has held several successful sales positions with Aviom since the inception of the company, has been appointed director of sales for the Americas, a territory that includes all of North, South and Central America. Lee will continue to cover the Northeastern U.S. region, in addition to overseeing and coordinating all sales activities throughout the Americas. In the Western US, Denny McLane will continue as regional sales manager.

Additionally, Shawn Stahmer, who previously held the position of director of US sales, will move into the role of director of business development, which is designed to make all of Aviom's marketing, sales and customer support efforts even more productive. This role is designed to provide enhanced communication between Aviom's market sup

Latest Issue. . .