Gender Pay Gap - The gender pay gap in the cultural sector has increased for the second year running and is now wider than the overall UK gender pay gap, latest figures reveal. Data published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport last month shows an estimated gender pay gap of 15.2% in the cultural sector as of April 2023, up from 14.2% the previous year. This means that for every £1 men were paid, women were paid just under 85 pence.
This disparity is greater than the average gender pay gap for all employees in the UK, which stood at 14.2% as of April 2023. The culture sector includes performing arts, literature, visual arts, public broadcasting, museums and galleries, libraries and the visual arts. The data marks the second successive year of increase in the gender pay gap in these industries. Between April 2021 and April 2022, the gap increased by 3.1 percentage

UK - Full Production, the Berkshire-based specialist in the design and delivery of entertainment technology solutions, has completed the move to a much larger premises, with significant new facilities.
Located in Ruscombe, between Reading and Maidenhead, with fast access to the nearby M4 motorway and Heathrow Airport, the new site offers an attractive new working environment for staff and clients alike, including enhanced workshop, prep and testing areas, a meeting and training room, increased office space and a new, fully equipped Vis Suite.
Founded by Steve Richardson in 2010, Full Production offers complete technical resources to the entertainment production industry, from lighting, sound and rigging to staging and video. The company has also been focusing on adding facilities and capability to its in-house workshop, increasing its activity in advanced solutions R

The Netherlands - Robe’s Netherlands distributor, Controllux, recently staged a new workshop concept dedicated to television, film, studio and broadcast lighting and multi-camera environments, highlighting how specific Robe product ranges and innovations can be a huge asset for DoPs, lighting designers, directors and gaffers.
The one-day event was the brainchild of Controllux’s Romec Berendsen and was hosted at Allard Studios in Amsterdam, reaching a capacity attendance of 35 comprising gaffers, DoPs, lighting board operators and technicians active in the film, television, and commercials sectors.
The idea was spawned following a Robe factory tour that Romec had conducted in the Czech Republic, with gaffers from all around the Netherlands. The idea was to collect everyone in the familiar surroundings of a studio and introduce products with which some would be fam

Mexico - The Adam Hall Group is further expanding its international sales network with the appointment of OHM Distribution as sales partner for Mexico. OHM Distribution is one of the leading distributors for AV installations and is now the exclusive distributor for the Adam Hall Group brand Cameo's lighting technology solutions.
"We are very much looking forward to working with the Adam Hall Group," comments Bernardo Moya, who together with Hector Ortega and Jens Hollich forms the management team of OHM Distribution. For Bernardo Moya, Mexico is one of the most dynamic event markets in Central and South America, offering a wide range of opportunities for modern event technology manufacturers. "The distribution partnership marks another milestone in our company history and it fills us with pride to distribute Cameo's pioneering lighting solutions in Mexico. Together, we will

UK - Midwich UK&I companies, PSCo and Sound Technology, have signed an exclusive distribution deal with StageSmarts, the manufacturer of intelligent power distribution used in touring, festivals, and prestigious venues all over the world.
From this week, the full line up of intelligent power distribution solutions from StageSmarts is available through both companies in the UK.
Steve Fay, managing director at Sound Technology, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome StageSmarts to our market-leading professional audio and professional lighting portfolios. We’re always looking at ways to support our customers in delivering successful events and adding the intelligent power distribution products into our mix means they can have peace of mind by protecting their equipment, the event, and their investment.”
Stuart Holmes, executive director for solutions at PSCo

Europe - Linea Research has announced its partnership with Rock Centrum to distribute the Linea Research product line in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Rock Centrum provides a solid platform for sales and support in the region through its team of audio specialists and its online support and service facility.
Established in 1992, the company has built a reputation for reliability, expertise, and outstanding customer service on the foundation of strong relationships with manufacturers and clients.
The Linea Research product line will join Rock Centrum’s audio portfolio which encompasses amplifiers, speakers, mixers, and accessories, to meet and support the needs of every audio professional. With product training sessions already planned in to Rock Centrum’s schedule, the distributor has a calendar of events at which Linea Research will be demonstrated across Czech

Portugal - Service provider Europalco has announced major investments in three Portuguese companies - Rise, NEW Audiovisuais, and AV Tech, marking a significant step towards geographic expansion and technological advancement in the events industry.
With offices in the Algarve and Lisbon, Rise specialises in offering tailor-made solutions in projection, sound, lighting, video, IT and networks, stages and scenography. Its creative approach includes 3D venue mapping and technical visits, ensuring seamless visualisation of events for clients, with operations expanding across Europe, including Spain and Italy.
NEW Audiovisuals, established in 2017, specialises in the rental of audiovisual systems and technical support for events. With a dedicated team that knows the needs of the market, NEW Audiovisuals aims to energise the sector through innovative technologies and service

Taiwan - Seapower Technology is to distribute 1 Sound in Taiwan. Seapower met with 1 Sound’s APAC sales executive, Leonardo Dani, who visited their headquarters in New Taipei City where they were able to make the partnership official.
Dani discussed the 1 Sound pro audio and fully outdoor IP55 loudspeaker catalogue and offered deeper training with the brand’s products, including their Mono+Stereo Technology, cardioid columns, robust and sleek accessories, and more.
Seapower Technology is an establidhed distributor for a number of brands including Powersoft, Sennheiser and Allen & Heath. Their team of engineers has training experiences from experts around the world, allowing Seapower to offer strong engineering technical support using audio design and test equipment, including TEF, SMARTT, EASE.
“Seapower is thrilled for the exciting new partnership wi

South Africa - ChamSys has appointed Audiosure to be the exclusive distributor in South Africa of its line of lighting control consoles, software, and networking devices.
“We are very familiar with the excellent level of professionalism and customer service that have become trademarks of Audiosure, given that they are one of the oldest distributors of all Chauvet brands,” said Stéphane Gressier, international sales director of Chauvet and ChamSys. “Over the years, we have witnessed firsthand, how the Audiosure team has gone the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.”
Part of the First Technology group of companies, Audiosure was established over 20 years ago to address the needs of the professional lighting and audio market. The company represents Chauvet lighting, as well as a variety of leading audio brands.
Headquartered in Johannesburg, Audiosur

Funding Cuts - West End stars and creatives including actors Beverley Knight and Sheridan Smith and playwright Jack Thorne have called for local arts funding to be protected, warning that "terrifying" cuts will be irreversible and damage services such as youth theatre. They join Andrew Scott and Imelda Staunton, in speaking out about the importance of the arts – particularly at local level – in the face of swingeing cuts that have seen venues warn that they will have to scale back their operations.
In recent weeks, Nottingham City Council and Birmingham City Council have both announced 100% cuts to arts funding, following a previous cut to Suffolk County Council’s funding for the arts. The Nottingham Playhouse said: "The cut is approximately the same cost of running our Shine youth theatre groups or providing very low-cost and free tickets through our 50:50, HotHouse a

UK - The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) has announced a significant investment in audio equipment, with the procurement of a Shure Axient Digital Wireless System.
LAMDA is committed to providing exceptional vocational training courses, offering an innovative and inspiring environment where students can acquire the professional skills needed to pursue successful careers in acting.
Supplied through Shure UK by Autograph Sound, the new inventory includes 20 channels of Shure’s flagship Axient Digital Wireless system. The setup features Axient Digital ADX1M Micro Bodypack transmitters, AD4QNP quad receivers, an antenna distribution system, active directional antenna plus battery charging modules and stations.
The recommendation of Shure Axient Digital Wireless System by Autograph Sound is backed by their own extensive use of the systems in the

UK - This year, ALPD will again be awarding in three categories - Lighting Design, Production Electrics and Programming, with each of the prize bundles being tailored to the specific needs of that speciality.
The Lighting Design Award is by application. The candidates for the Fred Foster Production Electrician Award and the Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in Programming are by nomination. The ALPD encourages lighting professionals who work alongside a production electrician or programmer whom they consider to be exceptional and worthy of recognition, to nominate them. There are full details on the ALPD website (thealpd.org.uk).
The Michael Northen Award is sponsored by the Go Live Theatre Projects (previously the Mousetrap Foundation) Vectorworks and ETC. The winner of this award will receive a £500 voucher prize, a 512 ETC nomad package, a Vectorworks licence f

UK - More than 200 students from institutions around the UK tuned in live to Production Futures’ new YouTube channel for the launch of the Production Futures Studio TALKS podcast last week. Cheshire College, LIPA, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Norwich University were all represented, with in some cases, tutors bringing whole classes to the session.
The inaugural podcast with lighting designer Tim Routledge was presented in conjunction with the BBC’s Bring the Drama Festival, which sees the Corporation joining forces with some of the UK’s prominent cultural organisations to open doors of opportunity for the next generation of behind-the-scenes talent.
The 90-minute live broadcast Q+A, which saw Tim take part remotely from a secret location - he is currently working on production rehearsals with Take That - provided the young audience with valuab

UK - The Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) celebrated a successful ISCVEx 2024. The two-day symposium, which took place from 19-20 March at the historic Coombe Abbey, near Coventry, brought together more than 250 attendees in a showcase of knowledge, technology and community.
ISCVE hosted a varied line-up, which started with an engaging AGM and featured an illuminating member’s presentation from Jason Williams on Species AI Capture – The challenges and rewards of working on environmental and conservation projects. Participants then enjoyed camaraderie and insights exchanged at the networking dinner, complemented by an exhilarating performance by The Pub Choir.
Highlighting the second day were three seminars. James ‘Brew’ Henry Breward led the charge with Quiet Please, bringing to the spotlight the advanced audio systems util

UK - Voyage Audio, the San Diego-based creators of Spatial Mic have appointed Emerging as their exclusive distributor for UK and Ireland.
The original Spatial Mic product employed USB/ADAT connectivity and this has been joined more recently by a Dante version. Both microphones have eight-capsule arrays that support 2nd Order Ambisonics. The body of the mics contain high-quality A/D conversion using a high-resolution Skyworks clocking scheme and built-in 32-bit XMOS processor.
The applications for the Spatial Mic are as diverse as its specifications. It is equally at home in studio, broadcast, field and live concert recordings where the remote control of the capsules and the output are obviously valuable, says Voyage.
Emerging’s MD, Paul Mortimer comments, “We already have an impressive range of products to manage immersive audio for mixing and mastering, a

On The Campaign Trail - Leading arts organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company and Bristol Old Vic are joining together for a UK-wide campaign aimed at creating a “powerful sector voice” that will advocate for the industry and lobby for additional public funding to help struggling venues and companies.
Culture Makes...will run from May this year and throughout 2024, creating what its organisers have called "a bold new vision for the value and impact of culture and heritage in society and as a human right which urgently needs investment" in the run up to the next general election.
It has been developed by the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation, with others that have already committed to being part of the campaign including 20 Stories High, An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Cardboard Citizens, Edinburgh International Festival, Javaad Alipoor Company, Lyric Theatre

South Africa - Audio-Technica has announced the appointment of Alpha Technologies as the distributor for its commercial product line in South Africa.
This strategic partnership aims to enhance the availability and accessibility of Audio-Technica's professional audio solutions, catering to the growing installed audio-visual equipment in the South African market. Alpha Technologies, with its proven track record in delivering technology solutions, is well-positioned to strengthen Audio-Technica's presence and provide support to customers across various industries.
John Dodson, business development manager at Audio-Technica, Middle East and Africa comments, "We are delighted to join forces with Alpha Technologies as our official distributor in South Africa. This partnership aligns with our commitment to delivering exceptional audio experiences to a broader audience. Alpha

UK - Confetti, a learning institute offering specialist vocational education and training, has announced the launch of the Steve Lillywhite Scholarship. This award is named after the six-time Grammy-winning record producer Steve Lillywhite and aims to ‘provide exceptional opportunities for driven and motivated UK students pursuing a career in music production’.
Steve Lillywhite is celebrated globally for his contributions to modern music, having worked with iconic artists such as Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, U2, and The Killers.
Now, in partnership with Confetti, he seeks to mentor and guide the next generation of musical talent. Lillywhite said: "I’m deeply committed to nurturing the future of music production, and I’m excited about the prospect of working closely with a deserving student at Confetti, helping them take significant strides in their career

USA - AtlasIED is celebrating 90 years in business. Atlas Sound and Innovative Electronic Designs (IED), which merged as one organisation as AtlasIED in 2015, have been providing audio and communication solutions to the world since 1934.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our AtlasIED family for reaching 90 years as a global leader in our audio and communications technology,” said John Ivey, president and CEO at AtlasIED. “Arriving at this milestone reinforces our commitment to never-ending growth and service to our customers.”
Initially gaining recognition for its PA loudspeakers and microphone stands, Atlas Sound catapulted itself into a manufacturer of technologies that has played a lead role in the commercial AV industry. In 2015, Atlas Sound and IED combined their sales, marketing, and support teams to better serve their customers and market segments. For the

Germany - Last week’s Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt attracted round 25,000 visitors from five continents and more than 100 countries, according to its organisers who reported that over 500 exhibitors and brands showcased their innovations and solutions at the show.
"I am very pleased that we were able to emphasise what makes Prolight + Sound so special with this year's edition,” says Wolfgang Marzin, president & CEO of Messe Frankfurt. “It not only combines technical innovations, knowledge transfer and entertainment, but also brings together a large number of top decision-makers with young industry newcomers under one roof - and thus forms a bridge between the status quo and the future of the event industry.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our association partners VPLT and EVVC once again for their commitment and support,"
Panel

Europe Creators of outdoor arts events Walk the Plank has partnered with Bluman Associates to offer tailored experiences for brands and events using new tech Geolights, GPS-enabled, lightweight, sustainable and handheld lights.
Geolights can be used to create mass participation public events and connect audiences to brands. They were innovated and developed for large-scale outdoor events Green Space Dark Skies by Walk the Plank working with experts at Siemens, Core Lighting and Bluman Associates.
The aims of this new partnership combine the forces of British creativity and tech innovation to offer ‘never-before-seen spectacles that combine performance, choreography and participation’.
Handheld Geolights include GPS-enabled technology, allowing real-time location tracking and real-time content delivery. The Geolights content can be pre-programmed to a specifi

France - At Les Rencontres Trans Musicales (aka Transmusicales or Les Trans) The music starts at 9pm and continues virtually nonstop until morning. This process is repeated over the course of four days inside 100,000sq.m of cavernous airport hangers at Rennes Airport Parc Expo.
The festival was founded 44-years ago by Béatrice Macé and Jean-Louis Brossard, who still run the event today.
Whether it’s Iranian American trip-hop innovator Rahill, or French Israeli jazz drummer Roni Kaspi, the festival embraces a potpourri of artists for the express purpose of finding “the next big thing”. Les Trans has done quite a good job in this quest. Nirvana got what many regard as their first big European exposure at the festival, so too did Björk, Cabaret Voltaire and Daft Punk.
Future stars, as well as established artists, performing in the festival’s spacious Gre

Germany - LEaT con, the trade fair and conference for the event and entertainment industry, reports that 80% of the available exhibition space has already been sold to exhibitors.
Taking place from 22 to 24 October 2024 at Hamburg Messe, LEaT con has established itself since 2022 as a community hub for professionals from the event and entertainment industry.
With a list of over 150 exhibitors and more than 180 brands presenting the latest technologies, services, and solutions, the event offers a platform for exchanging ideas, promoting innovation, and building new contacts in the entertainment industry.
"We are overwhelmed by the positive response and the trust the industry places in LEaT con," says Duc Nguyen, director of LEaT, organiser of LEaT con. "Reaching 80% of the exhibition space sold at this early stage is a clear sign that our vision of creating a net

Canada - BlackTrax brought their expertise to the live sports industry and added a new level of immersive artistry to the recent NBA All-Star events. Whether you were spectating from home or within the arena, the NBA raised the bar by transforming how fans engage in sports broadcasting through the integration of immersive technologies, including BlackTrax, into the games as they happened in real-time.
In collaboration with ASB GlassFloor, the NBA left fans in awe as the traditional glossy hardwood floor was upgraded to a 27m-pixel screen displaying real-time visuals and animations. Certified for the highest level of professional sports competitions by federations such as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and International Volleyball Federation, ASB GlassFloor is more than just a flooring system; it's a versatile, multi-functional solution.
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