Audio-Technica has appointed Stuart Russell as area sales manager for central UK. Russell joins the company following a five-year spell with Soundcraft and takes on responsibility for sales and customer support in the midlands and Wales. Managing director Paul Maher officially welcomed Russell to the company during the recent Musikmesse exhibition: "I am extremely pleased to have Stuart on board. His appointment means that we now have one of the strongest field sales teams in this industry and his friendly and efficient style fits in perfectly with the philosophy of the company."
Audio-Technica has also promoted Tony Cooper to the role of market manager, UK, with responsibly for overseeing the UK sales team. Tony will combine his new duties with his previous role and will continue to work in the field servicing A-T’s customers across the north of the UK and Ireland.
(Lee Baldock)
Bill Jones has joined Stage Electrics as business development manager based at the company’s Birmingham Branch. Jones has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience spanning some 15 years. His career began at lantern manufacturers CCT, following which he took on the role of pro-sales manager at Harman UK. He then moved on to the position of sales manager with Lightfactor, before moving to Cloud One in Birmingham.
(Ruth Rossington)
Total Structures has announced the addition of Peter Hind to its team in Ventura CA. Hind is a professional structural engineer of some note and has 20 years experience in the entertainment industry. His early experience came with M A Richards and partners of London, and included the engineering of roof systems for the likes of Genesis, Bowie, McCartney and Clapton amongst others. For the past six years he’s been employed by sister company, Total Fabrications, in the UK and has been a significant contributor to the ESTA Technical Standards Committee responsible for writing ANSI standard E1.2 2000 Entertainment Technology Design, Manufacture and Use of Aluminum Truss and Towers Entertainment, as well as contributing to the development of a number of British standards. Last year saw the publication of his book ‘Aluminum Structures in the Entertainment Industry’, the fastest selling of a series published by the Entertainment Technology Press.
Ian Coles, president of Total Structures, told us: "I am delighted that Peter has chosen to join our team. His experience and professional qualifications will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s growing reputation as a leading temporary structures expert. His expertise will not simply be of benefit to the company, as I’m sure he will continue to make a significant contribution to the industry as a whole and will be keen to extend his role within ESTA’s Technical Standards Committee."
(Lee Baldock)
Stage Electrics’ business development manager Matt Lloyd has been chosen to take part in The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race, which covers over 35,000 miles of gruelling ocean racing. It’s an 11-month sabbatical, commencing in October, that will take him to 16 stop-overs around the world. The crew will consist of 14 ‘amateur’ crew members, both men and women, accompanied by one professional skipper.
There are eight yachts competing, each sponsored by an individual city - Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, London, Jersey, Hong Kong and Cape Town. The Bristol Clipper which Matt is crewing won the Clipper 2000 Race, so she will be defending her title in this year’s race. David Whitehead, owner of Stage Electrics is fully supportive: "Matt has worked for Stage Electrics for over ten years and this is a fantastic opportunity for him. I am very supportive of the principle of allowing staff to take a sabbatical in order to grow in new directions and gain new experiences."
(Ruth Rossington)
CDAI, a specialty engineering firm focusing on presentation and performing arts technology, has added Matthew Cornwell as an acoustics and testing services specialist. His responsibilities will include acoustics and testing services in support of CDAI's corporate and education clients, as well as their performing arts and multi-purpose audiovisual project designs.
With an avid interest in architectural acoustics, Cornwell has worked in a number of acoustic engineering internships, including Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, where he performed acoustic testing and analysis work.
(Ruth Rossington)
ETC has further expanded its pan-European service, with the appointment of David Gray as field project manager for the Southern Region. Currently ETC's project manager, servicing major ETC projects on a global basis, Gray will commence in his new role on April 1st, 2002.
Based in Rome, David will be working with Fulvio Cotogni, ETC's manager for Southern Europe, providing on-site project support. Together, they will offer a complete service to the region, which includes the Middle East and Africa, complementing other similar ETC teams in Europe. Having worked for ETC since 1997, David has grown to be respected member of the industry. He joined ETC to develop the projects department and, together with Jeremy Roberts, has played an important role in establishing ETC as a major player in the global cruise and entertainment markets. During his four years at ETC, he has managed numerous large projects including the recently opened Warner Brothers Movie World, Madrid, and Disney Studios, Paris, as well as a number of other installations worldwide.
(Ruth Rossington)
Acoustic Dimensions has promoted several members of its team. Stuart Reynolds, who joined the company in 1988, has been made a senior consultant. His background includes athletic facility experience as sports video director of the University of Oregon and Stanford University Athletic Departments, and as a project installation manager for both Webb Electronics and Sports Tech/Montage (now Pinnacle Systems).
Stuart’s employment background gives him a mix of video engineering and system operational experience in sports video broadcast; computer integration, and software/database development skills in the digital video analysis and editing realm; and facility/system design and integration. He has provided video design for Dodger's Stadium, Los Angeles, CA; Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH; Meadowlands Racetrack, Continental Arena, and Giants Stadium, Meadowlands, NJ; The Potter's House, Dallas, TX, and the new Eagles Stadium, Philadelphia, PA.
Steve Reed has been made a consultant. His background is in providing support and technical direction for church audio and television production. He also spent six years working as the JumboTron technical assistant for the San Antoinio Spurs. ADI Projects on which Steve has contributed include: Eagles Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Clear Creek Community Church, and North Phoenix Baptist Church.
Robert Rodgers has been made a designer. Prior to joining Acoustic Dimensions in 1999, Robert worked for both an MEP firm and a computer networking firm. During the design process, he provides assistance on the majority of the projects
A.C. Lighting has added another member to its High Wycombe team. Ron Knell joins the company as a senior account manager in the export sales department. Knell, who previously spent 19 years with Lighting Technology, will add a wealth of experience to A.C.'s export sales team.
(Ruth Rossington)
BSS Audio USA has recently appointed Denny McLane as regional sales manager. McLane reports directly to sales and marketing director Paul Freudenberg, who made the announcement.
Based in the Los Angeles area, McLane is currently responsible for overseeing the BSS-related activities of eight independent manufacturers’ rep firms that predominantly cover states west of the Mississippi River. He is also being called upon to provide personal support for consultants, contractors and end users, as well as conduct product training, particularly with regard to the Soundweb range.
Prior to joining the company, McLane spent nearly four years as the director of sales and marketing for Level Control Systems (LCS), which followed four years as a product manager for Aphex Systems. From 1981 through 1994, he owned and operated Sound Techniques, a regional sound company focusing on SR systems for hire and design/build contracting. A capable live sound engineer with many top talent show credits, McLane also served 11 seasons as sound designer for Shakespeare Festival/LA.
(Ruth Rossington)
The established audiovisual systems installer and music and media production company tsg - home of the Candy Rock programming arm, has recently employed Neil Law as sales manager for its pubs, bars and restaurant division. This is part of the ongoing strategic expansion at tsg, which will see other key positions filled by experienced and respected industry people during the coming weeks. Law has a wealth of experience from his previous roles at both Tascam and Tannoy. "tsg was a key account for Tannoy so I know the company very well. I was impressed with its competitive stance and to be invited to join such a dynamic and rapidly growing professional team was too good an opportunity to miss."
(Ruth Rossington)
Sheffield company Gripple Ltd expanded both its productivity and its workforce earlier this month when new recruit Chris Middleton came on board as divisional director. The company has recently split into two divisions - agriculture and industry - to cope with increasing demand for Gripple goods. The new role means Chris is responsible for industrial operations, heading up the management and sales of product group Gripple Hang-Fast.
Previously employed as managing director of Rotherham-based Brooke Tools, Middleton brings to Gripple a vast and varied knowledge of the industrial market. He will focus on driving the industrial business into previously untapped sales sectors, maximizing opportunities for the Hang-Fast range.
(Ruth Rossington)
Leading entertainment lamp supplier MGC has added David Cartwright to its expanding international sales department. Cartwright brings with him over 16 years experience in the entertainment lighting industry, with a full and varied background from hire, design & production to sales & marketing, most recently as group marketing manager of the Lighting Technology Group. One of his first priorities will be to bring on board and develop new products and services to complement the existing range of lamps.
MGC managing director James Greig commented: "We are pleased to welcome Dave on board. His knowledge of lighting products and marketing will help us to consolidate and expand our position in the entertainment lighting sector."
MGC Lamps is a world leading specialist entertainment lighting dealer with a holding stock of over 750,000 lamps, sourced from all major European and American manufacturers. The international sales team currently supply lamps to over 80 countries.
(Ruth Rossington)
Alun Edwards has been promoted to take over the responsibility for sales in all areas of TeleStage’s sales activities. The move is part of the continued strategy within the company, which specializes in theatre engineering and control systems, to improve its service and response to clients in all areas of its business. Edwards will be responsible for sales activities at home and overseas, and will work closely with TeleStage's parent company Waagner Biro Buhnentechnik to secure major projects worldwide.
(Ruth Rossington)
Stardraw.com has recently appointed Kevin Harrison to the position of Symbols Manager. Harrison has many years experience in the audio and AV industry, including several years of involvement with Stardraw.com, so his appointment represents the formalization of his role within the Stardraw organization.
Stardraw’s Symbols Manager is the prime point of contact for any manufacturer who wishes to participate in the symbols libraries, and for end users asking for library additions through the free ‘Symbols-By-Request’ service. In this role Harrison heads up the team responsible for symbols generation and enforces the qualitative standards to which all symbols must adhere.
(Ruth Rossington)
Focusrite's US distributor Digidesign has appointed Dino Virella as Focusrite sales and marketing manager for the US and Canada. Virella brings with him vast knowledge of the US distribution network, gleaned from years of experience in both retail and distribution. The post is a newly created one and reflects the rapid growth of Focusrite's business, particularly following the launch of the ISA110 and 430, and the new Platinum Penta and Trak Master products.
(Ruth Rossington)
The executive committee of the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), the professional body representing lighting designers in all fields and countries, has appointed two of the Association's members, Robert Ornbo and Richard Pilbrow, as joint presidents.
The role of president involves advising the executive committee on how to achieve the ALD's principal goals, which are to further the art of lighting design for the theatre, live entertainment and associated industries, and to raise the profile of lighting designers. The committee wanted working lighting designers who were widely respected and who had contributed to the industry's development in the relatively short history of lighting design.
Rick Fisher, chairman of the ALD, commented: "We are lucky to have so many original members still actively involved in the industry and we wanted to honour two of them. We couldn't have made a better choice than Robert and Richard, whose careers have spanned the globe and the wide ranging aspects of performance lighting. As they were both instrumental in creating and raising the profile of lighting design throughout their illustrious careers, I know they'll contribute to the continual development of the ALD and we are sure to profit from having two of our most distinguished and respected lighting designers as presidents."
Having begun his career with England, our England at the Princes Theatre (now The Shaftesbury Theatre) in 1962, Robert Ornbo has spent the past 40 years as a lighting designer and theatre consultant, involved with every type of production in almos
Paul Wood is joining projection specialist Paradigm as the company’s general manager. Wood has a very successful career in general management and is joining Paradigm to run its operations, finalize the company’s accreditation for ISO9001:2000 and to manage the investment programme it is running in its manufacturing operations.
(Ruth Rossington)
Brian Konechny, president of Showtime Lighting Inc, has announced the addition of Marc Raymond and Phil Bernard as two new strategic partners into Showtime. Marc Raymond is the founder and former CEO of Westsun International Inc: under his leadership the company grew from a small lighting shop based in Winnipeg to become one of North America’s largest technical production companies. With World Class capabilities in audio, lighting, scenic construction and automation, Raymond built a team that set new standards of quality and performance for clients as diverse as Disney, Microsoft, N’Sync and The Staples Center.
Phil Bernard is an industry veteran, having begun his career over 25 years ago as a pioneer in the Vancouver film industry. In the early 80s Bernard was based in Toronto as the Canadian sales manager for Strand Lighting. In 1985 he founded Westsun Vancouver and grew the company to become a dominant player in the local market before moving on to become president of Westsun International. Bernard spearheaded the expansion of the company into the Seattle and Las Vegas Markets.
Established in 1987, Showtime began by renting lighting systems to touring bands. In the last five years the company has experienced exceptional growth, to become one of Western Canada's leading lighting companies offering full service in sales, rentals and production support. Showtime’s clients include IBM, MCI, Mitsubishi, Bayer, Amway and General Motors.
(Lee Baldock)
Philips CSI has appointed Reg Nicholls as general manager to head up its growing UK operation. He takes over from Kevin Diss who has just been appointed general manager of Philips Lighting in the UK.
Previously general manager of Philips Analytical in Cambridge and responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Nicholls has a wealth of experience in general management and sales. In his new role at Philips CSI, he will be responsible for expanding Philips’ already strong market presence in the CCTV, PA, congress and communications markets.
Philips CSI has recently invested heavily in major new products including new generation REO digital observation systems, new AutoDome and NetCam cameras, new digital CCTV products, new digital congress systems, plus complete new ranges of PA systems including PLENA and FlexiLine and the advanced Praesideo - the world’s first fully digital networked PA.
(Ruth Rossington)
Brand experience consultancy Hotcakes has made two new appointments to its rapidly expanding team. Tracey Poulton, founder of sponsorship and production company The Staging House, has joined as associate producer. Working closely with Matt Briggs (producer and client services) and Sean Canning (creative director), Tracey will manage the implementation of projects, co-ordinating and overseeing all elements of production, bringing additional creative input to the conceptual stages of each job, liaising closely with clients and assisting in new business development.
Jason Ward moves from his post at global conference and exhibition company Mice International to join as production manager. Ward, who moves from London to the company’s headquarters in Skipton, will manage technical design and resourcing, freelance production staff, and the scheduling, technical and administrative requirements on each project.
"These appointments will give our rapidly expanding team enormous support in both client services and production expertise at all levels," said managing director Chris Spencer.
(Lee Baldock)
AC Lighting has announced three new appointments at its corporate headquarters located in High Wycombe. The Special Projects Division has been strengthened by the appointment of Ray Dolby in the role of project manager. Dolby has worked in the lighting industry since leaving school, firstly as resident theatre technician at a Birmingham Arts Centre, then as lighting designer at the Leicester Haymarket and subsequently at the Derby Playhouse, where he lit 34 shows, covering everything from plays to musicals and pantomimes. Ray then joined Stage Services in Loughborough as general manager before progressing his career with Lighting Technology Projects in London. He worked on many projects whilst there including the design and installation of lighting schemes at the Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centres, numerous major corporate headquarters in London, airports, railway stations, colleges and cruise liners.
Joining as personal assistant to managing director David Leggett is Deborah Simpson. Deborah's role will also embrace personnel and Health & Safety issues. Previously with a public relations company in Henley, Deborah has an extensive background in corporate management, as well as in software training and development, having been the founder of Meridian Training.
The third appointment is Warren Shepperd who returns to AC Lighting to take up the position of colour media manager and will be responsible for the busy AC Lighting colour scroll manufacturing facilities and Scroll Express service. Warren has over seven years experience in the colour filter marketplace and b
A new face on the international trade show circuit is Le Mark's Rebecca Lace. She has joined the company as project manager with the task of expanding sales and the product profile of Le Mark’s reusable PAL Roadcase Label and accessory range within the US. One of Rebecca’s first outings came at the recent NAMM show held at the Anaheim (Los Angeles) Convention Centre in January, where Le Mark shared a stand with Penn Fabrication.
Penn has developed a unique range of steel dishes for Le Mark's label range. The dish can be specified by clients and can be built in as original equipment for all new roadcases. It is available on a worldwide basis through Penn and its extensive Dealer network.
(Ruth Rossington)
Show Presentation Services has appointed Tim Brewster as its new head of scenic construction, following a review of operations taken in January this year. Brewster joins SPS after working with Set and Stage for three years as a project manager, following 11 years as construction director for Lewis Productions. During his career, Brewster has worked on staging and sets for a huge variety of shows from the Conservative Party Conference and trade union events to exhibitions in Azerbaijan.
He first became interested in set design and construction after building Doctor Who sets, amongst others, for the BBC following a five year apprenticeship as a pattern maker for British Aerospace. "This is a challenging role," said Brewster. "My focus is to integrate our scenic business fully into the rest of the company and to raise the department profile both internally and externally." SPS's scenic construction department achieved business growth of 241% in 2000-2001, confirming its position as one of the leading independent AV rental and staging companies in the UK.
(Ruth Rossington)
This month sees the launch of PE Consulting, introduced to provide business development expertise to entertainment technology and themed entertainment companies that wish to grow business in new markets and countries.
Developed by Peter Ed, who, since beginning his career at Theatre Projects in 1978, has worked with some of the industry’s most influential entertainment technology companies, PE Consulting helps its clients towards a clear definition of their objectives and the method of achieving them. "The most successful companies involve everyone pulling in the same direction and all resources having the same end in mind," said Ed. "PE Consulting looks at all aspects of marketing from growth planning and international market development, marketing strategy and product pricing, to internet marketing and customer relationship management, image building and public relations. As an external consultancy with an impartial viewpoint, PE Consulting enables its clients to focus more clearly on the direction of their organization, advises on what resources and which elements of the marketing mix are most appropriate to achieve these objectives, and sets it all out in a detailed, time framed plan."
Peter is well known to many people in the entertainment industry and has approaching 25 years experience in practically every aspect of his profession. He has previously worked with ARRI (GB), Strand Lighting and ETC and as a result worked throughout Europe, North America and Asia in various market sectors, including the cruise and leisure industries. He was