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26 February 2025

Europe - HOF has a new partner in Iceland – Exton will be the official distributor for HOF products. “With this partnership, we have a strong player at our side to push HOF in Iceland,” says Edwin Duivelaar, export and sales manager at HOF.

Exton's sales team will ensure that HOF optimally complements and supports the existing brands in the Exton portfolio. Exton's rental department in particular has a wealth of experience and offers customised solutions for the event industry – with high-quality equipment and technology for events of all kinds.

In addition, Exton will enable HOF to be even better positioned in the area of installations, from event venues and exhibition centres to private and commercial buildings.

Sigurjón Sigurðsson, CEO at Exton, comments: “We appreciate HOF's innovative trussing systems, which offer a perfect s

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26 February 2025

India - In November 2024, Stagemix Technologies, the exclusive Indian distributor of Adam Hall Group brands LD Systems and Gravity, organised three roadshow events in the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The Stagemix team presented the extensive portfolio of the two brands on site. The focus was placed on the LD Systems Maila line array system with its flexible application options in the live, event, and fixed installation sectors.

The three well-attended roadshow stops were aimed at distributors, rental companies, system integrators, and installation service providers. The portfolio on display was correspondingly diverse: Maila for venues and medium-sized events, the LD Systems Tica series for permanent installations in various application areas, LD Systems Anny for musicians and mobile sound reinforcement applications, as well as the comprehensi

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25 February 2025

USA - Sennheiser has announced that the company has joined the North American Spectrum Alliance, a project of the non-profit North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) committed to identifying and taking action on technical and operational issues affecting radio and television broadcasters in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The alliance unites broadcasters, rightsholders, venues, and the entertainment industry to protect the critical radio spectrum used for broadcasting, wireless microphones, cameras, and other production tools – a goal that Sennheiser has been actively pursuing, too, both as a company and as a member of various associations.

The North American Spectrum Alliance presents a strong, unified voice for spectrum retention in a broadcast and production environment that is marked by recent spectrum reallocations and plans for po

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25 February 2025

Mexico - PRO3 – one of Mexico’s leading lighting and visual design studios, which also has a large stock of its own lighting equipment – has invested in more Robe moving lights in the last 18 months with the purchase of Fortes, Spiiders and RoboSpot systems.

The company was started in 2012 by three individuals all passionate about letting and delivering the best and most exciting shows and live experiences – Fulkas Camacho, Osvaldo Giuliano ‘Chicho’ and Juan Carlos Zamudio ‘Charly’, who are all lighting designers in their own right.

They brought new energy, innovation, enthusiasm and ideas to the Mexican production scene and have enjoyed considerable success working with a series of music and corporate clients. The company is still growing, and the ideas never stop flowing, with everyone bringing different personalities, concepts and

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25 February 2025

Sounds of Silence - More than 1,000 musicians – including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush – have released a silent album in protest at the UK government's planned changes to copyright law, which they say would make it easier for AI companies to train models using copyrighted work without a licence.

Under the new proposals, AI developers will be able to use creators' content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elect to "opt out". The artists hope the album, entitled Is This What We Want?, will draw attention to the potential impact on livelihoods and the UK music industry. All profits will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.

"In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?" Kate Bush said in a statement. A public consultation on the legal changes closes later today, Tuesday.

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24 February 2025

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24 February 2025

Canada - SFM has announced an improved comprehensive range of professional services designed to empower channel partners with the best AV solutions, under the new Plus branding.

SFM, which is now part of the international AV distribution operator Midwich Group, was instrumental in the initial development of the Plus global professional services offering.

Plus offers a range of services tailored to meet the different needs of each project.

“The launch of Plus is a significant step in our commitment to supporting our channel partners consistently across the globe. With SFM’s unique expertise, we're able to offer a level of support and services that truly sets us apart in the market,” says Randal Tucker, CEO and president at SFM.

“Whether it's a complex stadium project or a streamlined meeting room setup, Plus ensures our partner

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24 February 2025

Philippines - ARX Systems has announced the appointment of Manila-based Yupangco Electronics Corporation as its distributor for the Philippines.

ARX managing director Colin Park says: "The YEC Team has expressed their excitement about introducing our USB DI Series of interfaces, MSX series of signal distribution products, and AudioBox series of audio toolbox essentials to their pro audio, installation, and broadcast clients and market players in the Philippines industry.

"YEC are one of the leading music, professional audio and related products companies in the Philippines where their customer and brand support is renowned.”

In addition to ARX, YEC represents a variety of leading brands, including Harman Professional Solutions.

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21 February 2025

Italy - Powersoft has announced the signing of a binding investment agreement to acquire from H.P. Sound Equipment 51% of the share capital of K-array. The agreement also envisages the mutual granting of call and put options in favour of Powersoft and HP Sound, respectively, on the remaining 49% of K-array’s share capital. The closing of the transaction is, to date, expected by March 2025.

Luca Lastrucci, CEO of Powersoft comments: "We are excited to announce this acquisition, a significant strategic step for our company and the professional audio market. This transaction arises from a successful partnership between two companies that have been collaborating for many years now, with a strong territorial proximity and sharing a creative and innovative spirit, both convinced of the potential to create important product and technological synergies.

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21 February 2025

Poland - Renkus-Heinz has announced a new distribution partnership with Aplauz Audio, a well-established Polish distributor.

Founded in 2003, Aplauz Audio has built a reputation as a trusted distributor of premium audio solutions. The company initially started with audio and video cabling and high-quality connectors, but over the years, Aplauz has grown into a key player in the Polish audio market, offering solutions from renowned manufacturers such as Sennheiser, Neumann, Merging Technologies and more. 

“Renkus-Heinz is a well-known and recognised brand, producing high-quality products,” says Grzegorz Fotek, president and managing director of Aplauz Audio. “When choosing brands and products for the Polish market, we prioritise quality. Renkus-Heinz fits perfectly into our portfolio and complements our other brands.

“With Renkus-Hein

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21 February 2025

UK - Rigger.co.uk, based in Milton Keynes, has announced a significant investment in Milos S-QTQT 780 steel truss. The strategic acquisition reinforces the company’s commitment to providing robust, high-quality rigging solutions to the live events, entertainment, TV and broadcast sectors.

Milos S-QTQT 780 steel truss is renowned for its strength, durability and versatility, making it a suitable choice for heavy-duty applications. Designed to withstand substantial loads, it ensures enhanced safety and reliability for complex rigging structures. With this major investment in a steel superstructure for an upcoming production, Rigger.co.uk expands its inventory of premium rigging equipment, enabling the company to meet the growing demands of large-scale productions and installations. 

Founded in 2007, Rigger.co.uk has established itself as a leading a

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21 February 2025

USA - LEA Professional has announced its partnership with Thousand Oaks-based manufacturer’s representative, AV Partners. This partnership brings LEA’s technology catalogue to Southern California residential market customers.

This partnership will enable AV Partners to offer LEA Professional’s award-winning Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity. These series allow integrators to utilise cloud-based remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, allowing them to stay connected anywhere in the world.

"We always aim to offer our customers a full and complete experience when they work with us. As part of that package, LEA Professional has the ability to enhance their AV experiences,” said Eric Leicht, president of AV Partne

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21 February 2025

Cambodia - With the new partnership between LD Systems and Kfour Group Co, the Anny 10 mobile Bluetooth PA speaker with integrated battery and mixer is now available from the retailer. In addition to the Anny 10, Kfour's portfolio also includes the LD Systems Maui, Stinger, Icoa and Curv 500 series.

"LD Systems has been one of the leading pro audio brands in Cambodia for over 10 years," says Bunarong Kit, executive director of Kfour Group. "With the column speakers, we have broken new ground and created previously non-existent demand. The Anny series will also perfectly meet the growing demands of our customers and offer innovative solutions."

Markus Jahnel, COO of Adam Hall Group, adds: "We are delighted to further expand our collaboration with Kfour Group. Kfour is an experienced and trustworthy specialist retail partner that can optimally address

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20 February 2025

Singapore - Elation has announced the appointment of Lighting & Sound Distribution (LSD) as the new distributor of Elation and Obsidian products in Singapore, effective 1 January, 2025

Since its establishment in 2001, Lighting & Sound Distribution has been a key player in the Southeast Asian entertainment and architectural markets. LSD has built a reputation for excellence through turnkey projects across theatres, theme parks, night venues, hotels, shopping malls, cruise ships, and more. In addition to its comprehensive product line, LSD provides design, build, and programming services, as well as educational workshops and training for the community.

Louis Teo, founder and managing director of LSD, comments, "As the current market demands high-quality outdoor fixtures for temporary and permanent installations, Elation’s Paragon and Proteus

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19 February 2025

UK - PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries on 13-14 May 2025, bringing together the latest innovations and the brightest minds in live events, installation, and entertainment technology. The show will celebrate the people behind the industry, providing a unique platform for learning, networking, and hands-on exploration of cutting-edge technology.

With over 175 leading brands spanning audio, AV, lighting, rigging, and staging, the show floor will be brimming with groundbreaking technology and industry-first launches. Attendees can get hands-on with the latest products, connect directly with brand specialists, and build lasting relationships with industry peers.

Lighting professionals can explore leading brands including headline sponsor Ambersphere, alongside Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Europe, Entedi, ETC, GLP UK, Prolight, Robe UK, TMB, a

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19 February 2025

USA - RF spectrum is the lifeblood of all wireless communication systems like TV broadcasting, mobile networks, satellite systems, and wireless microphones. These wireless communication systems are all competing for this scarce vital resource. 

Shure Incorporated is forming the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA), a coalition of stakeholders who are committed to ensuring access to RF spectrum for wireless microphones. This alliance will include end users, content creators, live production service providers, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders.

The goal of this alliance is to advocate for access to the RF spectrum that allows events to operate using wireless microphones. Whether it is on a global stage or a community platform, the importance of preserving spectrum is vital for many reasons. Diverse industries rely on spectrum to s

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19 February 2025

China - Audinate Group and Beijing Film Academy (BFA) have announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate Dante Certified Training into the curriculum of BFA’s Sound School department.

As part of the agreement, the two organisations established a Dante Certified Training Centre at the BFA campus to expand education of IP-based audio and video systems and applications. Through the Dante Training Centre, the Chinese film industry will offer a comprehensive series of training opportunities for Dante AVoIP technology and cloud-based applications to expand students’ knowledge and prepare them for future career opportunities.

The BFA is the largest film academy in Asia and China’s premiere educational film production academy. Founded in 1950, BFA developed a multilevel, multidisciplinary cultivation system that embraces th

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19 February 2025

Hungary - Having renewed its brand identity in 2024, Lightware has now unveiled its redesigned website (Lightware.com), designed to offer a more modern, user-friendly, and intuitive experience for its global customers. The new site features streamlined navigation, enhanced search functionality, and several upgraded tools to improve accessibility and support for Lightware’s products and solutions.

The new website is hosted on an AWS cloud server, ensuring speed and accessibility from anywhere in the world. Additionally, the site’s search functionality is powered by an AI engine, learning from user searches and becoming more intuitive over time. This continuous learning process will ensure the site becomes increasingly relevant and efficient as it evolves, says Lightware.

Int

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18 February 2025

Germany - Prolight + Sound, the international trade fair highlight for event and entertainment technology is celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

Mira Wölfel, director Prolight + Sound, comments: “With the anniversary edition, we want to offer exhibitors and partners, but above all visitors, a particularly inspiring environment with a stronger technical focus and optimised networking opportunities.

“My heartfelt thanks go in particular to our association partners and our new trade fair advisory board, which is providing us with significant support in the further development of the show. Above all, the 30th anniversary of Prolight + Sound is an occasion for us to look to the future with great motivation.”

Based on numerous discussions with the movers and shakers of the sector, the next Prolight + Sound will have three top themes

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18 February 2025

UK - During 2024, Backup welcomed three new companies to its list of partners – L-Acoustics (platinum partners), Chauvet (gold) and Carallon (silver). The contribution that all Backup Tech partners make is testimony to the spirit of the industry, and each company has its own reason for joining. The end result is the same: helping continue the amazing work Backup does to support industry family members when they need it most.

"Live sound professionals are a valued and essential part of our community and ecosystem – they inspire our innovations and share our passion for connecting people through extraordinary experiences," says Anne Hamlett, chief people officer at L-Acoustics. "Supporting Backup means supporting the very people who bring sound to life and make these meaningful connections possible."

Chauvet Professional has supported Backup for ma

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18 February 2025

Manchester Calling - Manchester’s cultural sector has bounced back post-pandemic and generated more than £342m last year for the city, a report has revealed. The Annual Culture Impact Survey, presented to the Manchester City Council’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee last week, declared that the figure amounted to a "very good" return on the investment of council money in culture.

According to the report, Manchester City Council invested £23.1m in arts, culture and libraries in 2023-24, which helped leverage a further £159.2m from other private, public and other funding streams during the same year. It said this represented an overall economic boost to the city of more than £342m, an amount deemed to demonstrate a post-pandemic recovery. The report also revealed that footfall at Manchester’s cultural venues stands at 93% of its

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17 February 2025

Spain - Production Futures enjoyed a successful debut at ISE, where it was part of the Fast Forward Friday takeover of the Live Events Stage. Providing an inspiring focus for young people on networking, training, and career growth in the live event technology and broadcast sectors, the Production Futures takeover promoted a day of learning, targeted at helping to develop the skills and confidence to meet career challenges head-on.

Hannah Eakins of Production Futures saw the organisation’s first appearance at ISE as a very important milestone in taking its message to a global audience:

“Throughout the day, we invited special guests from all corners of the industry to give the ISE audience an insight into the world of training and work opportunities within live event and broadcast production, whilst simultaneously raising the profile of ne

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14 February 2025

Argentina - Wisycom has announced a new distribution agreement with Equaphon. With this agreement, Equaphon expands its offerings in Argentina and Uruguay by providing wireless solutions from Wisycom.

“We have followed the evolution of Wisycom in recent years, and we firmly believe in the brand’s innovation,” says Carlos Maiocchi, general manager of Equaphon. “Everything that Wisycom manufactures is of a high technological and innovative level, and we are confident our customers will find value in these solutions. In particular, we see an enormous opportunity for Wisycom in the broadcast, cinematography, theatre and live sound sectors in Argentina and Uruguay.” 

Equaphon is a professional audio solutions company with more than 50 years of experience in the industry. Founded in 1973 by Maiocchi, then a young electronic engineering student w

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14 February 2025

UK - Distributor and audio solutions provider Audiologic marks 20 years in the AV business with expansion into new facilities as well as additional staff to support continued growth plans.

The Harlow-based company recently completed its move into a new purpose-fitted 6,400 sq.ft facility at Harlow Innovation Park, not far from its existing site (where its logistical hub will remain). The new location will provide a fit-for-purpose home for Audiologic’s growing commercial and customer-facing teams as well as a new Learning Space training and product experience suite, dedicated conference room and smaller meeting and huddle spaces.

The new training room is fitted out with Q-Sys backend including Seervision camera automation, Fohhn loudspeakers and a range of in-ceiling array microphones from leading brands including Shure, Sennheiser and Yamaha. The