UK - Tendai Mucheri from Ascot, Berkshire, a winner of the Sennheiser Prize for Best Music Production Recording 2010, graduated with BA (Hons) Audio & Music Production from Bucks New University on 6 September.

This annual award recognises what Sennheiser considers to be the best recording produced by Bucks graduates. Working with recording artist, The Carps, Tendai and fellow team member, Kumbirai Ruzuidzo, recorded and produced two master tracks as the final project in his production company coursework, and was chosen as the winner of this year's competition.

Tendai, who is originally from Zimbabwe, said: "Wow, a Sennheiser Award! When I found out that I had won it, it was the best feeling ever to know that a reputable company such as Sennheiser recognised all the hard work that was put in to producing the songs."

Phil Cummings, UK artist relationship manag

Germany / USA - Stefan Feistel and Wolfgang Ahnert of Ahnert Feistel Media Group (AFMG), along with Ambrose Thompson of Martin Audio, will receive The AES Publications Award during the 129th AES Convention, 4-7 November in San Francisco.

Their winning article, selected as the outstanding paper published in the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society during the previous two years, is titled Methods and Limitations of Line Source Simulation. The award "is to be made solely on the merit and quality of the published work" according to AES guidelines.

"We are proud to accept this award in recognition of our work on accurate and efficient measurement and modelling of line arrays", says Stefan Feistel of AFMG. "We have developed techniques that are now in constant use worldwide. This paper outlines the methodology behind simulating the p

UK - Liam Kidd has joined the Arcstream AV team in the new role of director of client services to help the company bring a selection of new technologies and products to the market.

Kidd joins Arcstream bringing 22 years experience from previous positions which have included JC Decaux and RBS with a background in business development and marketing.

Neil Dickinson, Arcstream AV's managing director comments, "Liam is a great addition to the Arcstream team, bringing with him experience in AV technology and a passion for what companies can achieve if they use the latest products to hit the market."

"The interactive technology sector is rife with new opportunities at the moment, and the UK has some of the greatest creative companies when it comes to events and retail," says Kidd. "Arcstream has its finger on the pulse of all the latest hardware and softwar

USA - Gary Ellegood has joined the Nashville office of Theatrical Lighting Systems (TLS). Ellegood brings 25 years of industry experience to TLS, having spent 24 of those years specifically with Freeman Companies and Swank Audio Visuals working with the corporate and special events markets. He has held various positions in all aspects of the industry from sales and marketing to planning and production, exhibits, tradeshows and A/V production.

(Jim Evans)

USA - The University of Tennessee honoured entertainment lawyer Joel A. Katz and Bandit Lites founder Michael T. Strickland on 10 September 2010.

Katz is known as a pioneer in the field of entertainment law. Starting with a single client, James Brown, Katz built a dynasty and became representative for clients from Jimmy Buffet to Christina Aguilera to Michael Jackson and everything in between. Corporations such as AEG, Live Nation, Verizon, Sony and The Grammy's all seek Joel's advice on a regular basis. Katz was honored because of his long and successful impact on the business community and his generous contributions to the University of Tennessee Law School.

Founder and Chairman of Bandit Lites, Michael T. Strickland was given the Alumni Service Award for his generosity and efforts to promote the University over a long period. Strickland is a graduate of the College of Busin

USA - Draper has appointed Jentry Wittkamper (CTS) export sales manager for the company.

Wittkamper is responsible for overseeing Draper's international sales force and company dealings with Draper dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. He has been with Draper for nearly 14 years, and most recently held the position of lifts & mounts product manager.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to grow Draper's sales around the world," says Wittkamper. "It helps that Draper is already recognized as a premier brand worldwide, and we will be building on that reputation with new products and the same high standard of service and product quality."

Draperis a Spiceland, Ind-based manufacturer of projection screens, lifts for projectors and displays, window shades and gymnasium equipment. In addition to its Spiceland facilities, Draper has manufacturing or

USA - Wybron has hired Erin Prater as its PR and marketing coordinator. Prater, a writer and photographer, has a background in newspaper and magazine journalism, as well as book publishing.

"I'm looking forward to working with the creative team of folks here at Wybron, as well as with the press," Prater said. "I'm especially excited about expanding our social media presence, so watch for some exciting additions to our website in the near future."

"We're excited to have Erin on board," said Keny Whitright, president. "We feel that her experience as a member of the press, as well as her energy and fresh point of view, will help Wybron better provide journalists with the information they need to stay up to date on Wybron and the lighting industry."

Prater will generate press materials and case studies, serve as a press liaison, and update

USA - Genelec US, distributor of Genelec Active Monitoring Systems, has announced the appointment of industry veteran John Conard to the position of national sales manager, professional products.

In the new position, Conard's responsibilities will include managing Genelec's pro audio sales force in the United States and implementing dealer sales and support programmes for the full line of Genelec stereo and multi-channel applications. A long-time industry veteran of the professional audio industry prior to joining Genelec, Conard held sales and/or management positions at Yamaha Commercial Audio and Westlake Audio, and was most recently territory manager for Bose Corporation.

Conard noted, "I have been an ardent Genelec fan for many years. When I served as sales manager at Westlake Audio, we were one of the largest Genelec retailers. I am very excited about the product lin

Europe - Philips Entertainment is pleased to announce the appointment of Graham Eales to the role of regional manager with immediate effect. Formerly entertainment controls systems director Europe, Eales now assumes responsibility for the business growth and operations of Philips Entertainment in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Eales, who has been instrumental in leading the development of new Strand product and service, now heads the European team, along with Michael Goldberg, sales director for EMEA and Grant Bales-Smith, sales manager. Eales comments, " I am looking forward to working with our great team of dealers, staff and customers to keep building the Philips Entertainment brands across all our geographic regions and segments."

(Jim Evans)

UK - PSCo has added Louise Hirst to the sales team in the role of business development executive. Hirst has worked in the AV industry for 11 years, starting her career at Saville Audio Visual in York before moving on to Maverick and then Hitachi, working in the digital media arm of the company.

Managing director Stuart Holmes says, "Louise will be focused on ensuring our channel partners understand how our services are tailored to complement the products in our portfolio. She will be an integral part of the sales division of the company, and I am delighted to welcome her on board."

(Jim Evans)

UK - GDS has announced that Dave Harris has joined the company as design engineer. Harris has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years and brings with him a wide range of skills in manufacture and design along with years of experience of working on special projects.

His work has included the design, build and installation of fully autonomous searchlights which form part of the festive lighting at the top of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. He has also created a number of bespoke products for bands including Muse, Tokyo Hotel and Coldplay.

Richard Cuthbert, technical director for GDS comments, "David brings with him considerable experience in special project and product design and we are very much looking forward to his input for the ongoing expansion of the GDS."

(Jim Evans)

USA - Harman Professional has named Graham Hammell as director of its core research and development team, the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG). The announcement comes as SDIG's mandate is broadened to address more Harman Professional product families and also a greater number of application markets. According to Rob Urry, VP and GM, Harman Professional Signal Processing Group, who made the announcement, Graham Hammell's experience will be an essential guiding force in delivering the appropriate feature-sets for the respective applications.

"SDIG has developed HiQnet, System Architect and our internal AVB programme to such a point that we now have extremely strong, scalable core technologies that we are beginning to deploy in a whole host of markets and applications," Urry said yesterday. "Market experience, product design and integration experience

UK / Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer dBTechnologies has appointed Robert Moore as a new area sales manager. Representing the full range of MI and Pro Audio products in the north of England, Scotland and Ireland, Moore joins forces with southern England representative, Rich Soper in the dBTechnologies UK team.

Moore comments, "There is such a wide range of excellent products. From the recently introduced Cromo Series - whose sound quality rivals that of some of our more expensive competitors', to the successful pro range including the DVA line array modules, it's certainly an exciting time to be getting involved with dB."

Coming from a sales background - both within and outside the audio industry - Moore has accrued many years of experience, and with them a wealth of sales tools, including drive and determination, as well as excellent interpersonal skills. "Ro

USA - Crown Audio reports that Brian Pickowitz has been promoted to market manager for tour sound. In this role, Pickowitz is responsible for the development of product and growth strategies for the tour sound market. Pickowitz will also work directly with clients in designing, developing and implementing touring sound systems, and integrating Crown amplifiers in live sound applications. He will report to Crown marketing manager, Andy Flint.

In addition, Pickowitz will provide technical training in the US and abroad, and work in conjunction with JBL to coordinate the use of JBL loudspeakers with Crown amplifiers in tour sound systems.

"Since day one, Brian has been an invaluable asset to the Crown team. As market manager for tour sound, Brian brings a wealth of product and engineering expertise, combined with the ability to precisely evaluate his customers' needs and prov

UK - Prominent businesses from the area, including Lola, Thurlby Thandar, Solo Cup Europe and Anglia Circuits, attended the inaugural event of the Huntingdonshire Manufacturers Association last week at the Brampton Racecourse Conference Centre.

Sponsored by Huntingdonshire District Council and supported by Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce, Huntingdonshire Regional College and Business Link East, the group has been created to reinforce the manufacturers' role in the district's economy. It will also help them promote high standards in manufacturing and access training and funding opportunities.

The launch was personally endorsed by Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for UK trade and industry and prominent champion of British manufacturing. Delegates heard key speakers from HSBC Bank, the East of England Regional Development Agency and the Institute of Manufactu

USA - Mark Graham, formerly president of Crown International has joined Loud Technologies as CEO. Graham succeeds Rodney Olson, who over his two-year tenure as CEO successfully steered Loud through supply chain disruptions and the worldwide economic downturn.

"I'm immensely proud of Loud management's achievements over the past two years," commented Olson. "We simplified the company's organizational structure and brand portfolio; restored stability and added capacity to our supply chain; and solidified the Ampeg, EAW, Mackie, and Martin Audio brands' leadership positions through significant new product launches. Thanks to those efforts, Loud is now well positioned for growth as the world economy recovers."

"As both a former competitor, as well as audio industry veteran, I've closely followed Loud's moves over the years and have great admiration for the

Sweden - Wireless Solution Sweden has added Shelly Li to its sales team. Li is a native of China and speaks fluent Chinese as well as English. Her duties will include sales support to the Asian market as well as support to all of the W-DMX OEM partners in Asia. She will also work with the regional sales managers in Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

Li has six years working experience from a leading lighting manufacturer in China and she brings with her a vast network of connections in several countries where she worked as regional sales manager. She will work in the Wireless Solution headquarter office in Uddevalla, Sweden and travel regularly to her region to offer local support.

"I'm very excited to be part of the Wireless Solution team," she says, "The W-DMX brand is well respected and has been involved in some very impressive installatio

USA - Liberty AV Solutions president John Dace has announced that David Ellis has been named as the company's new US director of western sales. Now responsible for giving direction to all sales left of the Mississippi River, Ellis joins US director of eastern sales Dan Reich to effectively carve the national Liberty sales map into two distinct regions.

"We're all looking forward to some very positive results during the remainder of this year and on into 2011," Dace said, commenting on the appointment. "By focusing on executing our sales strategies in each of their respective regions, David and Dan will continue to send a cohesive message to our manufacturer's reps and fulfill the mandates of a world-class marketing plan. With David's addition to the Liberty roster of associates, one of the most talented sales teams in the business just got even better."

Ell

USA - In the 12 months since setting up its North American operation under Mark Ravenhill, GLP German Light Products Inc has grown rapidly. Now the company is set to expand further, boosting its national sales force, with coast-to-coast representation.

With immediate effect, East Coast sales will be handled by Rick Fallon, who for the past 14 years has been dealer sales manager for lighting manufacturers and distributors Creative Stage Lighting, and prior to that worked in sales at theatrical supply and installation company BMI Supply.

The Central belt will be covered by Carl Wake, who has spent the last four years working at Austin-based Lightparts. Prior to that he worked for a number of years at Martin Professional Inc. in Florida as well as various production companies in San Francisco.

Finally on the West Coast, Ed Cheeseman will be looking after regional sales of all G

Sweden - Pawel Kulik has joined projectiondesign as business development manager, Central and Eastern Europe.

Pawel joins projectiondesign from 2x3 in Poland where he held numerous roles in international trade, commercial direction and sales.

Thierry Ollivier, regional manager, France, Russia, CEE & CIS of projectiondesign explains, "Having Pawel on our team is a great asset. His knowledge, experience and contacts in central and eastern Europe puts projectiondesign at a great advantage. We're growing at a fast pace in this region and with this local support it will only increase our presence."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Calrec has announced the promotion of Anthony Harrison to regional sales executive. In this new role, he will have particular responsibility for Calrec's markets in the Middle East, although he is additionally developing sales in the growing markets of Eastern Europe and Russia.

Harrison previously spent three years as Calrec's exhibitions coordinator. "It's been a natural progression, really," he says. "While working at exhibitions, I was talking to current and future customers, and doing hands-on demos for them. I've gradually become familiar with the sales side of things, so it was the obvious next step. Calrec needed somebody dedicated to the Middle East and helping out in Eastern Europe; we are strengthening our focus in both regions as part of our current strategy of continuing improvements in these key markets."

Harrison is on tour in Eastern Eu

Australia / UK - Audinate has formed a European operation, Audinate Limited, based in the UK. A significant portion of Audinate's OEM partners and customers are based in Europe and this expansion reflects the widespread industry adoption of Audinate's Dante media networking technology. As a result of this new expansion, Audinate has offices in Europe, the USA, and in Australia.

David Myers, Audinate's COO remarks, "Audinate has built a reputation as the best digital media networking solution and we are recognized by our customers and partners for our responsive support. As a result of this expansion, Audinate can provide around the globe support for our OEM Partners."

As part of Audinate's direct presence in Europe, Kieran Walsh has joined Audinate as senior technical solutions manager. Walsh was formerly with Britannia Row Productions where he was responsible for th

The Netherlands - Ahead of the LDI 2010 show in Las Vegas, XLNT Advanced Technologies has announced the appointment of Hans van der Moolen as motion products consultant.

Van der Moolen was closely involved in the Research & Development process leading to the launch of XLNT's CyberHoist range and has extensive experience in the rigging market with Stagemaker. He comments, "When I was invited to join XLNT I had already taken the decision to move away from frontline sales and move more into product and brand development consultancy. As I had been familiar with CyberHoist and the whole XLNT team for many years, and they were looking for someone with experience of product development and setting up distribution networks for their motion control business, it was a perfect match.

"I see a great future at XLNT with a talented and energetic team developing a number of tremend

UK - Sennheiser UK has appointed Tim Sherratt as the company's Engineering and Technical Services Manager. A well-known face in the industry, Tim was previously at Orbital Sound for over 15 years, the last four of which he was Technical Director. His achievements there included the design and installation of the communications infrastructure for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations and the first UK use of TETRA mobile communications at a public event (the Isle of Wight festival) for non-emergency services.

Tim's role at Sennheiser UK is focused on delivering the very best customer service from an array of the company's support functions.

"One of my immediate aims is restructuring the workshops in our servicing department to make turnaround times as quick as possible," he says. "We are setting ourselves a challenging target, but it's one I know we can hit - an

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