USA - Richmond Sound Design Ltd (RSD) of Vancouver, Canada, and London, England, has appointed Merv Buchanan to the newly created position of market development manager for North America. Buchanan brings a wealth of experience to RSD, having worked as a music producer, systems designer, college instructor and marketing executive with organizations as diverse as Videomax, Trend Records, Toa Electronics, Fanshawe College and MuchMusic. A native of Cape Breton, Buchanan began in the entertainment business in 1963, while attending DeVry Technical Institute, an electronics college in Toronto.
During the sixties, Buchanan operated his own record label and recording studio in Toronto. Trend Records was Canada's first independent, fully integrated record company. In 1969 he produced the landmark 'Sussex' by Bent Wind, the most collectable album ever produced in Canada. In the 70s he ran a DJ agency and a record store in Midland, Ontario. By 1983, he was in Edmonton working as Canadian marketing director for Japanese sound equipment manufacturer Toa Electronics. Inspired by MTV and advances in projection technology, he launched a road show featuring a dance host playing music videos and pumping the crowd up on a giant screen. He asked dance music buyers to try it once, instead of a band or disc jockey. 'Videomax' was soon booked solid.
In 1987, a partnership was made with Canada's music television network, MuchMusic. The idea was to promote the new network's image, style and reputation throughout the country by offering Much-branded video dance entertainment to anyone w
UK - After three years working in California for Total Structures Inc, Peter Hind has returned to the UK to join consulting structural and civil engineers, Anthony Ward Partnership Ltd working from their offices near Winchester in Hampshire. However, his return to consulting engineering will not mean the end of his involvement with the design and use of aluminium structures in the entertainment and associated industries which stretches back over 20 years.
Anthony Ward Partnership Ltd has a reputation for providing innovative design solutions for projects within the building construction industry and now offers a range of structural engineering services relevant to the entertainment industry including concept design, preparation of engineering calculations and drawings, inspections and third party reviews. Hind will also continue his work with ESTA Technical Standards in America, in particular the draft stage roof standard, BSR E1.21, and also serve on the Advisory Group on Temporary Structures at the Institution of Structural Engineers.
(Lee Baldock)
Italy - Martin Professional A/S has announces that, as of late April of this year, Pio Nahum, managing director of Martin's Italian subsidiary, will be seeking new challenges outside of the Martin Professional organization. Nahum joined Martin in 1996 and, since that time, has held a variety of key positions at the company's Danish headquarters and subsidiary offices.
As a long-time lighting veteran, Nahum is a well-known personality in the industry and he was an important player in Martin's rise to the top of the intelligent lighting market. Pio's contribution to the success of the Martin Professional organization is greatly appreciated, say Martin Pro, and the company wishes him success in his new endeavor.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Carlsbro has appointed former Academy of Sound sales and operations manager Jon Gold as its new head of brand and marketing development, with responsibility for developing and marketing the Carlsbro Brand worldwide. Gold has had many years' experience in the leisure and live entertainment industry, in a number of senior marketing, brand development and operational roles prior to joining Academy of Sound, where he was responsible for the day to day operation of their stores together with the marketing and promotions, until the recent merger with Sound Control.
Commenting on his new role Gold said: "When Andrew first approached me about the opportunity, it didn't take long for me to realize that this was the ideal role for me. The work that Andrew, Nick, John and the rest of the dedicated team have done in reviving this great brand during the past four years is nothing short of phenomenal and with these foundations in place I can play my part and help to take the brand into a new era. I am buzzing with ideas and Andrew's infectious enthusiasm is already starting to have a positive effect on me. We have some great new products coming and some superb initiatives to support them, both for dealers and customers alike, add to that the forthcoming 50th anniversary of Carlsbro in a few years and you can see why I am so excited about joining."
Carlsbro MD Andrew Bishop commented: "We have laid many cornerstones for the foundation of the new Carlsbro but it has taken me 18 months to identify this (team playing) building block on which Carlsbro can cons
UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has welcomed Jeremy Ellis on board as part of its project management team. Fulfilling his childhood ambition to work in theatre, he studied Technical Theatre at Rose Bruford drama school as a mature student. From there he was offered the position of sound number two on Phantom of the Opera, before embarking on countless international/national touring and West End theatre productions as a sound operator.
Bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the Orbital team, he is set to channel his passion for theatre sound into managing the streamlined operations of both West End and touring productions. Ellis said: "It's really fantastic to be part of Orbital's team. The position offers me the perfect role to continue working within the industry I love, but without the strains of touring and mixing eight shows a week. I'm really looking forward to contributing to the on-going success of Orbital."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Total Solutions announced the appointment of Mervyn Thomas as the group's business development director. Thomas, formally general manager at James Thomas Engineering, sees this new role as a natural progression in his career.
"I see Total Solutions leading the way forward with its well known suite of industry standard truss brand names," says Thomas, "and I welcome this new and exciting challenge". Amongst the general activities associated with his appointment, Thomas will be responsible for developing and managing the ongoing manufacturing license agreement program which began last year when African Trussing were the first to start producing the Total Fabrications product range in South Africa.
Group MD Chris Cronin says: "I have known Mervyn for many years and have always considered him a good friend. It is a huge privilege to finally be working closely along side him, particularly during these exciting times."
Mervyn will be based at Total Fabrications main UK office in Birmingham where he can be contacted with immediate effect.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
USA - Phonic has named Scott Emmerman executive vice president of Phonic America Corporation. He will head up the company's Tampa operation and grow domestic sales. He comes to Phonic after 10 years at E-MU/ENSONIQ as vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for western hemisphere sales and, previously, a district sales manager for Roland.
The new appointment, says Phonic CEO Stephen Wang, is an important move for the company, with Emmerman bringing "the right blend of sales and merchandising expertise to execute Phonic's aggressive market expansion plan".
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Former Vari-Lite product designer Mike Bell has joined High End Systems in Austin, TX as senior product manager, the company announced today.
Bell had spent eight years at Vari-Lite in Dallas, where he held the positions of Vari-Lite engineering manager, program manager and principle design engineer of the VL3000, VL2000 and VL2500 spot luminaires. He also has five years of design and project management experience working for Texas Instruments developing military and commercial infrared night vision and DLP products.
Bell commented, "I'm looking forward to working with Richard Belliveau and the engineering team to develop new and cutting-edge products." Said HES chief technology officer Richard Belliveau, "We are thrilled to be working with Mike. His wealth of experience in bringing new lighting products to market is a valuable asset to High End Systems."
(Mike Lethby)
UK - Experienced live sound technician Richard Rowley has joined leading rental/production company SSE as hire manager, replacing Emma Barwell. Most recently, Rowley was sales director for BSS Audio, where he was enjoying his second stint after operating as product manager at Martin Audio for the intervening seven years. At BSS he supervised all commercial aspects including the launch of Soundweb London.
Prior to that he fulfilled a number of high-profile roles in different sectors of pro audio, including electronics engineer for Midas and Klark Teknik. He also engineered for Trevor Horn on a number of projects, was system designer for several high calibre dance venues, including Fabric, and cinema sound designer for Warner Brothers and VUE Cinemas.
During this time he also developed an enviable knowledge of touring sound, working as system tech for Texas, providing tour support for SSE on Metallica, and for Capital Sound Hire on Stereophonics and Ocean Colour Scene.
Commenting on his new appointment, Rowley says, "I have developed a lot of good contacts over the years and the opportunity to work with Chris and John will now allow me to put together all that I've learnt during this time. At SSE I will continue to offer technical support to current clients as well as actively seeking future business."
SSE group sales director Chris Beale responded, "I've known Richie for some years, and over that time he's been a helpful supplier and, on occasions, a worthy competitor. It is with pleasure that we welcome him to SSE in the hire management role. I
USA - John Wiseman, president of XL Touring Video, announce Valdis Dauksts' promotion to general manager of XL Touring. Dauksts, who has 30 years' experience in concert touring and production around the world, has also worked extensively in staging, lighting and production capacities across fashion, live theatre, corporate events, large-scale outdoor events (such as the Papal visit in Central Park) and large concert tours. His clients have included Bruce Allen Talent, MTV, Radio City Music Hall, VH1, Merv Griffin Productions and many more. Along the way, Dauksts has been VP of Lighting at Nocturne Productions and general manager of Fourth Phase / Light and Sound Design in Newbury Park, California.
Wiseman comments: "I am very pleased to announce Val's promotion to general manager. Having worked with him in the past, I'm positive we've made a decision that will greatly benefit XL Touring Video and our customers. Val's depth of experience and absolute dedication to excellence more than qualify him for this position."
(Mike Lethby)
UK - Scene Change, digital media specialist and distributor of the Hippotizer range welcomes Bob Kronman to its staff. A familiar name in the worlds of both large-format projection and video projection, Kronman has just completed work on the London transfer of the musical Mary Poppins, working with PIGI large format projectors and Scene Change's Hippotizer digital media server and BeaMover moving video projector products, as well as with the digital content created for the production by Scene Change. Kronman has also worked on a wide range of other productions, including We Will Rock You, and for suppliers across the AV and projection fields, most notably E/T/C UK and Production Arts.
Kronman will be working with Scene Change's Nigel Sadler, providing sales, training and technical support for the company's entire production range, and on projects where Scene Change provides both digital media and hardware.
"We're delighted to welcome Bob to the Scene Change team, particularly having worked with him so successfully on the recent transfer of Mary Poppins," comments Nigel Sadler. "This looks set to be an exciting year for Hippotizer, which continues to receive rave reviews in the trade press. However, though simple to use, Hippotizer is a complex product, and complex products require support, particularly as users push them to their limits. Bob will be there to support those users both with his knowledge of the products, and his long practical 'real world' experience!"
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - RW Salt Communications has announced the passing away of John Smither, its regional sales manager for the Midlands and South of England. Smither, who had been with the company for five years, had been ill since May 2004 and passed away peacefully on 11 January.
A greatly respected figure in the industry, as well as being a key member of the RWS team since 1999 John Smither had previously represented Eagle, TOA and Millbank throughout the UK and during this time built up a close relationship with all of his clients based on his technical experience, his vast product and industry knowledge and his honesty and integrity. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and his colleagues past and present, say the company.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Simon Curtis of D&M Pro Europe has left the company to join Sennheiser UK as director of sales. Curtis started in the industry selling audio/video components and accessories for Bandridge before joining Hayden Labs in 1990 to successfully grow sales and distribution of Denon Hi-Fi. For a short period this also included Sennheiser, prior to the change of distribution to Sennheiser UK.
Paul Whiting, MD of Sennheiser commented: "Simon's experience of integrating different markets and operations is a strength we want to bring to our diverse operation. We are looking forward to working with him and welcome the additional experience he brings to Sennheiser UK."
In 1995, Curtis set up the Denon Pro Leisure Division as sales and marketing manager, in response to Denon's growing interests in the Contract Installation and DJ sectors. In addition to building strong distribution in the DJ market, Curtis was heavily involved in product specification for pro products. In 1999 he was also instrumental in amalgamating Denon Pro Audio/Broadcast with Pro Leisure to form the consolidated entity of Denon Pro, which he managed until 2003.
In late 2003, Curtis was promoted to general manager of the newly formed D&M Pro Europe and successfully integrated the diverse business units of Denon and Marantz Professional across Europe. Commenting on his appointment with Sennheiser UK, Curtis said: "With D&M Pro Europe now a success, with sales up by 40% and profits climbing too and the back office structures are synergising along the lines of D&M Europe, my job is don
UK - Lift-Turn-Move has added another member to its steadily growing team, with Jenny Hobday joining as sales administrator. She'll be working with John Jones, Paul Hadfield and Dave King, her appointment reflecting LTM's extremely healthy order book, the company says.
Hobday graduated from Stafford University with a Business degree and then joined industrial marine specialists Cosalt, where she worked in the lifting department, handling several major corporate clients. She brings her considerable knowledge in this specialist area to LTM as well as a new outlook and plenty of enthusiasm. "I'm really thrilled to be working with LTM," she says. "It's a different area with lots of new challenges and some excellent people."
LTM's John Jones is equally happy to be building his team this quickly after the company's launch at PLASA 2004. "Jenny is the ideal person for us - dedicated, hard-working and with plenty of positive energy." He adds that they're enjoying an extremely busy festive season, with orders are still coming in, and for once are also are looking forward to a busy January.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - tsg, the Chesterfield-based media programming and systems company, has promoted Ian Light to the position of media programming manager for its renowned music and media brand; candyrock. Light, who was formerly responsible for looking after tsg's shops and stores customers, will now be responsible for the running of the candyrock programming department which is based at Kings Heath in Birmingham. An important part of his remit will be the development of new programming styles and schedules, as well as the day-to-day relationships with the world's leading record labels.
Joining Light in the enlarged programming team will be a new recruit, Paul Kimberley, who brings a wealth of experience to the candyrock team. tsg's recent experience in satisfying the needs of the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai has generated a whole raft of 'world music' categories, and Light and Kimberley will be working hard to integrate some of this content into candyrock's specialist music programmes.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Total Fabrications announced that, as of the 1st of January 2005, Neil Darracott stepped down from his position as the company's technical director. Darracott has worked within TFL for over 5 years, during which time he's played a vital role in maintaining Total Fabrications reputation as one of the industry's most innovative and safety conscious truss manufacturer. In addition, his personal contributions to the PLASA committee and other industry forums serve as typical examples of his enduring commitment to the cause.
Darracott will be heading up a new business, called "Xolve", which is dedicated to providing manufacturing companies with specialist technical and management resources. Although it is not restricting itself to the entertainment market, Xolve is certain to provide our industry with valuable and much needed support.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Northern Light announced the appointment of Simon Thomas-Colquhoun as its new regional sales manager. Previously chief electrician at The Criterion Theatre in London's West End, Thomas-Colquhoun joins the company with over 20 years experience in the theatre industry, he has a wide range of experience covering lighting, sound and production for opera, dance, drama and events.
Simon said: ''I am looking forward to what the future brings with Northern Light. I strongly believe that the knowledge I have gained in the past will be a real asset to the company. Whether it's dealing with architects and designers or the poor guy stuck in mid-air on the end of his mobile, my aim is to provide the best possible service at the right price.''
Colin Cuthbert, operations director at Northern Light, added: '' We feel very confident that with Simon's wealth of knowledge and experience he will be a great contributor to the team''.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
USA - Meyer Sound has appointed veteran system tech/audio engineer Steve Bush as a senior technical support representative. Bush will provide problem-solving and consulting services to Meyer Sound's customers from the company's Berkeley headquarters. Bush, who has years of high-level experience in touring sound reinforcement, was most recently system technician on the last three Norah Jones tours, and has also mixed FOH for artists as diverse as Three Dog Night and Keiko Matsui.
"Steve brings with him a strong combination of technical and management skills, in addition to his extensive experience doing shows," says technical support manager John Monitto. "This is exactly what we like to find, because we believe our customers are best supported by people who fully understand their needs from first-hand experience. We're happy we could get Steve to join us and I know our customers will see the difference he is going to make."
For his part, Bush feels like he's just gone from one great team to another. "Touring with Norah was great because of how much the sound quality was valued," says Bush with pride. "Since Norah's done her last three tours using Meyer Sound's MILO, I had a lot of opportunities to see that same attitude about quality in the ways that the people at Meyer Sound supported us. I'm excited now to be the guy that can offer that kind of support, whether to tours, installations or events."
(Lee Baldock)
Canada - MDG, the Canada-based manufacturer of high quality fog generators, has appointed Andre Girard to the position of international product advisor responsible for sales and marketing. MDG president Martin Michaud says: "Andre's wealth of experience and philosophy of professionalism is consistent with our own ideals and modus operandi here at MDG. We welcome his input and creativity and it shall be a pleasure working with him to better serve our clientele worldwide."
Andre began his career in the lighting and sound industry in 1986 as a lighting designer for Montreal-based Solotech before progressing into professional lighting distribution across Canada representing such names as MA Lighting and Clay Paky. In 1997 Andre accepted an invitation to move to Germany to work directly with MA Lighting. Responsible for international training and technical support on the grandMA he was also a regular contributor to the product development team. In 2001 Andre returned to his native Canada and joined A.C.T. Lighting Inc as part of the technical sales team. He continued in that role until accepting the invitation to join MDG.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Andrew Nikel has joined the City Theatrical sales staff, the company reports. A well-known and well liked lighting industry veteran, Nikel most recently was an account manager at PRG Lighting in North Bergen, New Jersey, and prior to that was an account manager with VLPS in Moonachie, New Jersey. Earlier, he worked as a senior project coordinator with the Fourth Phase Systems Integration Group in North Bergen, and as a rental accounts representative for Production Arts for many years.
Nikel has worked professionally in lighting as a Master Electrician and Technical Director and holds a B.A. from Connecticut College. He will be working closely with the extensive City Theatrical network of lighting distributors as well as with consultants, designers and other lighting professionals to increase awareness and sales of the WDS Wireless Data System, CTI's accessories for Color Kinetics products, the AutoYoke, EFX Plus2 and CTI's innovative line of lighting accessories for Source Four and other lighting fixtures.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Strand Lighting announced two new appointments At Strand UK. Peter Sherrington returns after an 18-month leave when he worked on a charity funded project for disadvantaged children. David Catterall European sales said: "I am delighted to announce that Peter has returned to Strand Lighting as sales representative for the East side of the UK. Peter comes back to us with a wealth of experience on Strand products, some great relationships and joins us at a very exciting time."
In Germany Walter Thomsen is also returning to Strand to manage sales in Southern Germany. He will also be responsible for Austria and Switzerland. "Walter has recently worked as a lighting consultant and brings a great deal of lighting knowledge and practice to his new position. Both of these appointments follow on a year of growth for Strand and the whole team looks forward to working with them," Catterall adds.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - John Lethbridge, who has been handling sales in the Middle East for Pulsar for the past three years, will be expanding his role within the Pulsar sales team with immediate effect. Lethbridge will be supporting technical sales manager Snowy Johnson and sales manger Jon Petts in the UK, and head of sales and marketing Andy Graves in certain overseas territories, say the company.
Lethbridge, as former managing director of Cerebrum Lighting, became a Pulsar distributor soon after both companies first began trading in 1970, and was also founding president of Celco Inc in Farmingdale, NY. He brings with him a wealth of experience, gained both in the UK and overseas.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Since the appointment of Tony Dickson as UK sales manager of Tomcat UK in May 2004, two further new additions have been made to the Tomcat UK staff, namely Patrick Lockwood and Paul Jordan.
The company say that the impact of this new team will be that Tomcat UK will be able to offer a much wider range of services to its customers including technical appraisal, site surveys, theatrical installations and also the supply of industrial lifting and mechanical handling equipment and structures, which will be dealt with through its Lifting and Handling Solutions division based at Bromborough, utilizing the skills of Dickson, Jordan and Lockwood.
Lockwood, who joins Tomcat UK as a sales engineer, first started in the industry as a welder for James Thomas Engineering in 1990. Working his way through the company, Lockwood ran the welding shop for approximately two years. With his knowledge and experience of truss and the fact that he was adept at CAD he was soon moved to the design department. Meeting with clients and educating them on how to use the product eventually lead him into sales. Drawing on his fabrication, technical and design background, Lockwood then moved into project management.
Paul Jordan joins Tomcat UK from the industrial lifting equipment industry. He has an extensive background in the industrial and entertainment lifting industry having worked with companies such as Chadburns, The Rossendale Group, and Bridgehouse. He also worked on secondment to Airbus UK, as the material handling specialist, in the east side project team on the A380 long range
USA - Loud Technologies recently announced the appointment of Jim Shaw to the position of director of operations. Jim brings an extensive management background with a long work history from Alerton & Novar, PLC, Microsoft, Index Sensors and Controls, and Carver Corporation. His wide-ranging manufacturing and quality expertise will be beneficial for his new role at Loud Technologies. As director of operations, Jim is responsible for coordinating the entire phase of product development, from conception to launch. Working directly with the project managers, Jim will focus on creating solid teams and developing a strong product and supply chain. Jim holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington and ASQC certifications for Quality Engineering and Quality Auditing.
"I am confident that Jim will be successful in his new position as director of operations with Loud," commented Shawn Powers, senior vice-president of operations. "His extensive experience in management will be a major addition for the team. We welcome him and look forward to great things."
Jim Shaw will be located at LOUD Technologies' headquarters in Woodinville, Washington, USA.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)