Norway - Projectiondesign has appointed Lars Morten Andreassen as director of sales and marketing. A veteran with over twenty-years experience, Andreassen will lead the company's International sales and marketing efforts and will be integral in the development of new geographic areas.

"Lars Morten's proven track record in the development of sales processes perfectly blends with our goals to provide our global customer base with high-quality projection solutions." comments J°rn Eriksen, president and CEO of projectiondesign. "The appointment is part of projectiondesign's future direction towards expanding and growing its business as we strive to be at the forefront of technology innovation that is changing the professional display and presentation business."

Andreassen joins projectiondesign from Siemens Business Services, Norway, where he held the posit

UK - Hawthorn has announced that Paul Stear, formerly of Stage Electrics, has joined the Company in a business development role for its hire and sales operation.

Stear, has extensive experience and an excellent reputation within the Market having been a lighting, sound and video designer and worked for more than four years as head of lighting and sound at Nottingham Playhouse prior to joining Stage Electrics.

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to be part of the Hawthorn Team" says Stear, "The Company provides an exciting environment to work in as it continues to rapidly expand and I look forward in my new role of business development, to making my contribution to that continued growth."

"Paul is a valued addition to the growing team at Hawthorn," says general manager Simon Wood, "In his role as business development he will be spending

USA - Chris Parry, who had a distinguished career as a lighting designer in both the UK and US, died unexpectedly on January 16. He was 56. Born in Manchester, England, he grew in the town of Welsh Pool and began his career as a telephone engineer. His work in amateur theatricals led to a strong interest in lighting; he joined Royal Shakespeare Company as an electrician. He remained with RSC for 13 years, becoming assistant head of lighting, then a designer.

An early success with Royal Shakespeare was Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which earned him his first Tony nomination (in association with Beverly Emmons). The production established him as a major designer at the RSC, and was followed by such productions as The Plantagenets, which combined Shakespeare's three Henry VI plays and parts of Richard III, The Blue Ange

France - L-Acoustics have announced that Stéphane Ecalle has been promoted to director of marketing. Previously in charge of Sales for Northern and Eastern Europe at L-Acoustics, Ecalle boasts more than a decade of international experience in Pro Audio.

Previously affiliated with Yamaha Music France and BSS Audio USA, Ecalle says: "Having worked in sales with L-Acoustics for several years, it is with the utmost pleasure that I have accepted this position as marketing director of one of the most prestigious speaker manufacturers in the industry."

Christian Heil, CEO of L-Acoustics adds: "Stéphane has been a tremendous asset for the company since he joined the L-Acoustics team. His previous exposure to marketing and his knowledge of L-Acoustics markets will bring him on his new assignment with an ideal blend of skills, experience and talents to be su

USA - Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc. (TPC) has announced the promotion of Robert Young to senior consultant. A member of TPC's Performance Equipment Design Team, Young is responsible for the design and specification of stage lighting systems. This work includes the design and layout of lighting positions, design and distribution of dimming and control systems, equipment selection and specification, defining power requirements for performance equipment, developing cable management systems, and the design and layout of concert lighting.

Since joining the firm in 1999, he has worked on more than 75 projects including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Overture Centre for the Arts in Madison, the DeBartolo Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of Notre Dame, the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, and the American Airlines Theatre in New York. He is currently wo

UK - Theatre Projects Consultants is pleased to announce that David Staples has been awarded the Patrick Hayes Award by the International Society of Performing Arts Foundation (ISPA). Staples was presented with the award on 16 January during ISPA's January conference in New York at a special awards dinner.

The award is named after the founding president of ISPA and recognises an ISPA member of long standing whose achievements in arts management are deserving of special praise and recognition.Staples comments: "ISPA is a community of people with a shared passion for the performing arts. To receive the Patrick Hayes Award from my peers, colleagues and friends is a special honour." This award is particularly important to Theatre Projects, as it is the second time ISPA has recognised the achievements of our staff - the only organisation to have been honoured twice with thi

UK - Just a week before the second anniversary of his arrival at Total Solutions Group (TSG) and Mervyn Thomas is appointed MD of Total Fabrications Ltd (TFL). "If more evidence were needed of the impact this man has had, this is it," said Group chairman Chris Cronin. "He's a great team leader, a superb operations manager; I have every confidence in him."

Thomas was equally enthused, commentin: "This will relieve Chris of the day-to-day running of TFL," he said, "leaving him free to concentrate on what he does best; steering TSG strategically, and addressing the increasingly complex engineering demands placed upon us. So much of our work is now project led, and that's where Chris excels; with enough metal you can engineer your way out of any problem, but Chris creates elegant solutions that are lightweight and efficient."

TFL is the core

USA - Worldwide automated lighting and control manufacturer High End Systems recently expanded its European sales team with the addition of Ruediger Haeming as regional sales manager - Central Europe. Haeming's territory includes Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Haeming brings over a decade of entertainment lighting experience in international sales and distribution, most recently with Arcus Lighting in Paderborn, Germany. As Arcus is the High End Systems distributor for Germany, Haeming will continue to work with his former company but in his new capacity with HES.

Haeming jumped into the Digital Lighting Revolution with High End's introduction of the Catalyst mirror head in 2001. Since then he has assisted lighting designers and Wholehog 3 console operators in professional shows with all of High End's line of products including its DL.2 and Catalyst v4 media server.<

USA - Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology have announced the hiring of Charlie Hulme as national sales manager. Based out of the Genlyte Controls home office in Dallas, Texas, Hulme will oversee all sales staff and initiatives for both Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology.

"Charlie possesses two powerful characteristics that we were searching for in a National Sales Manager," said Julie Smith, Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology general manager. "The first is a tremendous aptitude to effectively lead a team of sales managers, and the second is his success building strong and lasting relationships with current and potential clients. We are very excited to have Charlie on board, and are optimistic that his hiring will have a positive effect on our bottom line."

"I am thrilled to be stepping into my new role with Ligh

USA - Martin Professional has announced the hiring of Paul Teague who joins the Martin team as a regional sales manager (Southeast) for the company's public spaces segment. Teague, based in the Dallas area, began in his new position in early December.

Teague's responsibilities involve the cultivation of business and professional relationships with lighting solutions company Holophane, which Martin has recently formed a commercial cooperation with in the United States. The cooperation enables Holophane to offer Martin Professional's complete architectural range of colour-changing luminaires countrywide. Teague will also manage sales targets, marketing plans and strategies, as well as develop and manage specifications for business within Martin's Southeast regional territory.

Teague comes to Martin from The Lighting Alliance, a manufacturer's representative in Dallas, where he w

UK - Dialight Lumidrives, the UK based LED technology provider, has appointed PatrickVan Der Meulen as European OEM technical sales manager.

Van Der Meulen, 37, joins Dialight Lumidrives with over 12 years experience in thelighting industry. He joins having spent the previous six years with LEDmanufacturer Lumileds, initially as a mechanical engineer and latterly astechnical support manager for Europe with responsibility to train and educatecustomers on how to use high-power LEDs. Before joining Lumileds he worked atPhilips Lighting Development Laboratories.

Van Der Meulen will be based near Eindoven in The Netherlands. He will be responsiblefor focusing on Dialight Lumidrives OEM customers across northern Europe andproviding them with sales and technical support.

Gordon Routledge, managing director at Dialight Lumidrives says: "Patrick'sappointment is part of the conti

UK - The New Year sees a change in company structure for UK digital console manufacturer, DiGiCo. This heralds a period of intense development for the company, as it gets set to continue its growth in the digital audio sector, and puts Bob Doyle, one of the best-known figures of the audio industry, back at the sharp end of the business.

Currently managing director, Doyle will become chief executive, DiGiCo (UK) Ltd, whilst senior sales director James Gordon will assume the role of managing director, DiGiCo (UK) Ltd. The remainder of the management team comprises marketing director David Webster and technical director John Stadius.

Doyle's new position will utilize his 40 years of experience, as well as his skills for maintaining and raising company profile, to its maximum potential thus helping to increase top line revenue generation. "I've enjoyed my time as managing dir

UK - A.C. Lighting has announced a new staff appointment at the company's Northern Sales office in Leeds. Paul Hadfield joins the company's Sales department as rigging and trussing sales executive, providing office and in-the-field support for the company's expanding range of leading rigging & trussing brands.

A well-known face in the industry, Hadfield brings many years of technical experience and industry knowledge to the new role, having previously worked in a variety of entertainment industry sales roles.

Previous roles include working in the Sales department of Tomcat UK supplying CM Lodestars and trussing equipment to a Global network of dealers and working in the rental hire departments of Lifting Gear Hire. Hadfield also gained a knowledge of rigging and various other lifting equipment whilst working in the Sales department at PCM.

Phill Capstick, A.C. Lighting's UK

USA - Group One Ltd, a distributor of professional audio equipment, has appointed John Sanchez as sales associate. Sanchez now provides internal customer support on all product lines that Group One distributes, including UK-based brands MC2 Audio and XTA Electronics, while offering an emphasis on the renowned Celestion line. He covers such key topics as product specs, application and operation, along with pricing, availability and follow-up on orders.

Sanchez brings specialised experience and a comprehensive skill set to his new role at Group One. A former sales associate for prominent retailers Manny's Music and Alto Music, he is also an affirmed music lover who has toured nationally with metal outfit Blood Has Been Shed. Sanchez is technically proficient in critical areas including instrument repair and PA installation as well, and counts years of experience as a guitar teache

UK - Pulsar has announced the appointment of Enrico Tamaro as architectural sales manager. A qualified architect, Tamaro has a strong background in architectural lighting, and will be responsible for building business relationships with architects worldwide, as well as being available to assist customers with developing their architectural projects.

Simon Cox has been promoted to the position of field sales manager, supporting the company's sales network. He has been with Pulsar for many years and offers a wealth of support and product knowledge, the company says.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has appointed Keith Hutchinson to its busy operation, in the role of project manager. Based at the company's recently expanded south London HQ, he will work closely with end clients' and help realise their high production values, the company says.

He brings a wealth of experience to the company having commenced his career some 28 years ago at Darlington Civic Theatre where he started a technical career in theatre. Following this Hutchinson has worked on numerous musical productions in the UK and across the world, including Fosse, Miss Saigon, Jerry Springer, Blue Man Group, Mamma Mia! and Phantom of the Opera, as well as "over 10,000" pantomines.

Hutchinson commented: "I've always been very impressed with the ethos of Orbital and the way the company has expanded into the organisation it is today - so I'm very p

USA - Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology have announced the hiring of Heinz Roy and Matthew Burstein. Based in Dallas, Texas, Roy has been named product development manager. Based in New York City, New York, Burstein has been appointed Northeast regional sales manager, overseeing New York City and New Jersey.

"Heinz and Matthew are two excellent additions to the Entertainment Technology and Lightolier Controls team," says Julie Smith, Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology general manager. "In his new role, Heinz will manage our staff of product managers while working closely with our engineers to facilitate new and current product development. Matthew, who already has a strong relationship with many of our clients and dealers, will no doubt continue to excel as a significant attribute to our sales organisation."

"Architectural

UK - SPS, one of the UK's largest live event companies, is adding to its team with the appointment of Lee Rennie to the role of creative producer for its solutions division. Rennie joins from George P. Johnson Company, where he worked across a variety of projects creating inspiring experiences for events. Preceding this, Rennie spent seven years working at Project Worldwide.

In his new role, Rennie will be working alongside SPS event producers and production managers to administer creative solutions that work flawlessly with technical solutions, in order to communicate the client's needs.

The solutions division of SPS provides creative services for events through the latest computer graphics, digital video and other innovative technologies. It concentrates on delivering client's messages effectively with bespoke solutions which look vibrant and appealing to the audience, rathe

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light welcomed two new members of staff at the beginning of 2007 - though both are familiar to those already working at White Light, having been customers of the company for many years.

Joining White Light's increasingly successful sales team is industry veteran Jack Exell. Most recently at The Lighting Technology Group and Action Lighting, Exell recalls that his association with White Light goes back more than thirty years, to his time as "a young sales rep at Valiant in Fulham, delivering lamps to The Rocky Horror Show on the Kings Road where I first met White Light's founders. The association has become very close and many of my new colleagues here are in fact old friends. I have always admired White Light's integrity and position in the industry, and look forward to being a useful member of the sales team."

Exell

USA - Stage Technologies has announced that Jack Suesse will be assisting them in worldwide projects as special projects advisor. After working with entertainment technology company J.R. Clancy for many years, Suesse moved on to form J Suesse & Associates LLC in 2005.

With over 30 years' experience designing and coordinating a wide variety of projects, Suesse specialises in stage rigging and motorised stage equipment. In 1993 he was elected to be a Fellow of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and is a committee member of ESTA (The Entertainment Services and Technology Association). In 2004 and 2005 he was appointed as a Rigging Subject Matter Expert for the Entertainment Technician Certification Program Council (ETCP). For the past several years he has been an instructor at the IAAM Backstage Boot Camp, instructing facility managers about the operation an

Australia - Australian lighting control manufacturer LSC Lighting Systems has appointed Greg Hughes as sales consultant. The company says this appointment is another strategic step in LSC's plan for growth, enabling increased levels of service for the growing customer base in Northern Australia and Queensland.

Hughes comes to LSC with an extensive background. In his early days he played piano and guitar in several bands whilst also working at the AMP in Sydney. In 1976 he "realised his musical talents were less than ordinary", so he moved on to successfully road-manage bands, often working as their front-of-house sound technician.

After moving to Queensland in the late 70s, Hughes worked with Wickety Wak, DSA Concert Systems and at Her Majesty's Theatre. In 1982, Greg Hughes Concert Lighting came into play and in 1984 (with the addition of partners) East Coast Lighti

Asia - Klotz Digital has appointed Thomas Marcher as the new sales director of Klotz Digital Asia Asia. "Thomas brings with him a wealth of experience in the Broadcast and PA industries and has been in this region for a long time. Thomas's track record in managing sales and distribution organizations and his in-depth market knowledge are valuable assets for Klotz Digital and a perfect match for our regional strategies," says Andre Sauer, managing director of Klotz Digital Asia.

Thomas comes to the company from DIS Thailand where he was the area sales manager responsible for the Asia-Pacific markets. Prior to DIS, he worked for TC Electronics, and was elementary in setting up their China office. "I look forward to working with Klotz Digital," says Marcher. "I watched this company grow over the years and it is now one of the best known brands in the broadc

UK - Simon Battersby and Mark Logan have been appointed as operational directors of Showsec. Both have both worked with Showsec for over a decade, and started their crowd management careers working as stewards whilst attending university and worked their way up to become Showsec's Regional Managers.

Both were among the first in the UK to be awarded the foundation degree in Crowd Management at Buckingham and Chilterns University, in line with Showsec's ongoing training and development programme for all staff.

Showsec managing director Mark Harding comments, "Over many years of dedicated service to Showsec, Mark and Simon have proved themselves to be both great leaders and team players, with unrivalled passion for their work. The loyalty and commitment they have shown, combined with their continuous influence on the progression the company, has left no doubt in my mind that

UK - Audio-Technica has announced the resignation of UK sales director Tony Cooper. Appointed to the board of directors in 2004, Cooper leaves the company after more than seven years service with the microphone and headphone manufacturer.

Commenting on his resignation, Cooper stated: "I have very much enjoyed my time at Audio-Technica and feel the time is now right for me to pursue other interests. I am confident the strong sales team I have grown and developed in the UK will continue to be successful and I wish them all the very best."

Managing director Adrian Rooke said, "We are extremely sorry to be losing Tony. He has been a key member of the management team here, and of the board of directors, during a prolonged period of growth for the company. His talents will be greatly missed and we wish him every success for the future."

(Jim Evans)

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