Vari-Lite Production Services has appointed Colin Brooker as regional sales manager. This is a highly significant role as the roll-out of the new Vari*Lite sales luminaires makes its impact felt on the European marketplace. Since joining the industry in 1992, Brooker has worked in numerous lighting production roles at venues including the London Palladium, the Theatre Royal Haymarket and the Shaftesbury Theatre, followed by years ‘on the road’ as lighting technician and board operator for a number of bands including Garth Brooks, Wet Wet Wet, Spice Girls, Finlay Quaye, Beautiful South and Simply Red. He also has wide TV experience, having worked on TV shows such as the MTV Awards, Miss World, Lord of the Dance and TFI Friday. Brooker will be working closely with Simon Roose, European dealer manager.
ARX Releases New CD-ROMARX Systems, the Australia-based manufacturer of Professional Audio Products announces the release of the new updated ARX CD-ROM V4.0. Included are full details of new ARX products including the SPL range of powered loudspeakers, the e-Pre, climate weatherproof loudspeakers, ZA multi-channel amplifiers, Mix 8 stereo line mixer, Level 8 audio balancer, updated technical information and new product reviews. To obtain a copy, register online at www.arx.com.au/CD_ROM_form.htm or send your mailing address to us at email: info@arx.com.au, fax: +61 3 9555 6747.
The Strand Board has appointed Phil O'Donnell as CEO of Strand Lighting. O’Donnell has been with the company for 22 years and during this time has held several positions, including managing director of Strand Asia and President of Strand Lighting Inc. For the past two years he has been running global sales and has been a member of the main board. As part of his executive team, he has appointed Peter Rogers to the position of global sales and marketing director and Bill Campbell to the position of managing director for all European operations. This executive team will take over the day to day running of the company and Jim Ryan will remain on the Strand board as a major shareholder.
Navigator Systems’ US Division has appointed Ray as Technical Director. Covenant has many years’ experience in the entertainment industry, particularly in the field of information systems. Covenant will oversee technical support for the hundreds of companies in North America currently using HireTrack Eclipse. He will also be involved in the implementation of a new application service where companies will have the option to rent software instead of purchasing new software. The users will connect to Navigator Systems server farms via the internet and run HireTrack Eclipse. Greg Smith, president of Navigator Systems US, commented, "I am so excited that Ray has joined our team. He brings many years experience working with entertainment companies and their software systems."
Arup Acoustics has announced the appointment of Colin Waters C Eng MRAeS FIOA, as its head of environmental acoustics, to be based in Cambridge, UK. Waters will build on his considerable expertise in expanding the Arup team that carries out specialist disciplines in the practice of noise assessment and control in the planning context, working from offices in Cambridge, London, Manchester and Winchester. Waters’ experience includes over 30 years in the field of acoustics, including more than 20 years as the principal of Colin Waters Associates.
Internationally acclaimed producer Chris Kimsey is moving to Sphere Studios where he is setting up a digital project studio in one of the facility’s six new White Rooms. Best known for his classic work with the Rolling Stones, Kimsey has produced albums for a wide variety of artists including Johnny Hallyday, Killing Joke, Ash, The Chieftains, Soul Asylum and INXS. Currently under construction in Battersea, South London, Sphere is set to rival London’s finest studios when it officially opens as a fully commercial three-studio facility in 2001. The complex will incorporate three main control rooms dedicated to track-laying, stereo mixing and 5.1 surround mixing, plus the six White Rooms that are available for hire by artists and independent producers.
In order to reinforce HK Audio’s rapidly-accelerating reputation in the UK and Eire, HK Audio distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co has appointed Neville Raine as its new HK Audio specialist. Raine has worked for JHS previously, from 1988 to 1991, completing his time as a sales office manager. More recently, he has had managerial experience with Wharfedale and Fane Acoustics and, latterly, was sales manager for loudspeaker cabinet makers, Leech Manufacturing.
Telex Communications Inc has announced several new personnel appointments within the speaker and microphone division of its Telex Pro Audio Group. Mike O’Neill has been named vice-president and general manager for speakers worldwide and for amplifiers in the US, with responsibility for all sales, marketing and development of these products. Previously vice-president of research and development, O’Neill brings more than 25 years of experience to the role of shaping the company’s future market strategies.Joel Johnson, previously product category manager for Telex and EV wireless microphones, now fills the role of general manager for wired and wireless microphones worldwide. Representing another growing area for Telex, Ralph Strader moves up to the position of vice-president and general manager, worldwide, for intercoms. In sales, Tom has been promoted to vice-president of
Some of our UK visitors from the lighting industry may have spotted a familiar face last night on ITV’s 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' for the third contestant to take to the hotseat on the hour-long show was none other than ShowCAD’s Rowland Hughes. Asked by Chris Tarrant what he did for a living, Hughes replied: 'Make lighting control systems for the kind of lighting you’ve got in here. It goes mostly into nightclubs, theatres, theme parks.' Tarrant then asked him what he thought of the studio lighting, to which he replied: 'I couldn’t possibly comment.'Persuaded by his family to enter for the show because he could 'win them a fortune', Hughes certainly didn’t let them down, coolly making it up to £64,000 before the show’s end. He returns on Saturday’s programme to go for the £125,000 question . . . and he can still phone a friend. Best of
Tannoy has promoted Richard Gainsborough to the position of Director of Business Development, where he will be responsible for the expansion of products to provide complete system solutions, incorporating new technologies into the company’s product ranges and establishing and integrating the company’s strategies of vertical market development within existing and new distribution. Gainsborough joined Tannoy in 1990 as export sales manager and was appointed business development manager two years ago, successfully pioneering the concept of focussed business development within the company.
Further to our news on Friday of Rowland Hughes’ heroic achievement of the £64,000 question on ITV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, we can now report that the ShowCAD man still has £64,000. When faced with the question ‘What official post was held by Earl Grey, after whom the variety of tea was named?’, Hughes decided discretion was the better part of valour, and chose not to take the chance, although he later said he knew the answer, referring to himself as ‘a pratt’. That’s easy to say in hindsight, but being on the spot is a different pot of tea altogether . . . well done, Rowland.
FX Group has appointed Pascale Giovetto, who has joined the FX Copyroom as an engineer. Formerly with Heathman’s Mastering (Tape to Tape), where she was responsible for the company’s copying facilities, Giovetto has extensive experience of the pro audio business and will work alongside FX Copyroom’s manager, Kevin Vanbergen, handling format transfers.
QSC Audio has appointed Jim (Ski) Skiathitis to the position of Systems Specialist for the QSC Pro Touring division. Skiathitis’ responsibilities include product training and demonstration, along with technical support. He will also be actively involved in the design and integration aspects of professional touring systems. An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in the touring sound and recording industries, Ski has worked as a sound engineer for a variety of acts from Smokey Robinson to Joe Cocker as well as a freelance recording engineer. Prior to joining QSC, Ski served as manager for Sonics Pro Audio and as technical supervisor with Foxwoods Resort Casino in their entertainment division.
Autograph Sound Recording is playing host to Jeffrey Yue from 'Esplanade - Theatre on the Bay' Singapore, while he completes a four-year educational exploration of the UK. During his stay at Autograph, he will learn the intricacies and technicalities of theatrical sound design, equipment rental and installation. Yue has so far completed three years at the Guildhall School of Music attaining a Degree in Technical Theatre Studies. He is now finishing off his final year in the UK, by gaining essential work experience with Autograph, before joining the sound department of a UK arts venue. He returns to Singapore's 'Esplanade - Theatre on the Bay' next summer, to take up his post as one of three technical officers.
Ken Berreen has recently joined Fisher Productions as a lighting project manager/Health & Safety Officer. He previously worked at the Dome as technical manager for Pro-Design Ltd, where he was responsible for assisting the NMEC Lighting Dept in ensuring that all stage lighting was in place and working in time for the Dome's launch on New Year's Eve 1999. Prior to this he was the lighting designer for the 1998 production of John Godber’s ‘Bouncers’ at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and also spent four years as pantomime lighting designer for the Harlequin Theatre. During this time he was also responsible for the electrical and sound layout specification of the Harlequin Cinema which opened in September 1997.
PLASA Publishing has learnt of the death of Peter Barnett at the age of 56. Peter, who had a heart problem and had undergone a major bypass operation some 10 years ago, had a heart attack yesterday whilst at the wheel of his car. Peter was a partner in the firm AMS Acoustics, having practised as a consultant for over 30 years. He was involved in most aspects of acoustics, electroacoustics and PA design. During his career he had been involved in some major installations and was respected throughout the industry for his audio consultancy work. He has published over 100 papers and articles on many aspects of acoustics and has been an active member of various professional associations.
Panel, power distribution and lighting bar manufacturer Andolite has appointed Mick Staplehurst as marketing executive. His role will be to develop and market an extended range of products for touring, events and conferences, an area in which he has had many years experience with SSE, Britannia Row and others.
Bill Hewlett, the originator of the Icon-M, has left Light & Sound Design. According to MD Dave Keighley, Hewlett has departed to pursue other design ideas, having taken the Icon-M project as far as he could. Hewlett joined the company as a director at the time of the management buy-out from Christian Salveson. Although he is no longer a director, he will continue to work with LSD as a consultant. The Icon-M, meanwhile, is now scheduled for release next summer.
Park Avenue, one of the world's leading brand communications companies, has announced the appointment of its new managing director, Hugh Carswell. He has been at Park Avenue for the last four years during which time he has managed a huge variety of communications projects including the launch of British Airways' new corporate identity - which involved the largest global satellite link-up ever at the time, the British Airways London Eye launch on Millennium Eve, and the Euro-American announcement of the merger of Deutsche Bank and Bankers' Trust. Carswell takes over from Tony Cadman who is leaving to start his own venture consultancy after six successful years at Park Avenue.
Stagetec has appointed Chris Campbell as project engineer to assist with its rapidly expanding projects department. Campbell, originally from Toronto, Canada, has extensive experience of sound and lighting installations, most recently on cruise ships with Celebrity Cruises.
Martin Professional has appointed Claus Rothmann as director of logistics, with effect from the start of the new year. Rothmann holds a degree in Manufacturing & Systems Engineering, as well as Business Administration & Organization. He comes to Martin from a position as vice-president of Dandy Company's corporate supply chain development. Rothmann will form part of Martin's management team alongside sales and marketing director Pio Nahum and R&D director Stig Poulsen. The management board remains unchanged and consists of CEO and president Kristian Kolding, who relinquishes the logistics responsibility, Lars Dige (finance) and Torben Johansen (production).
Mackie Designs has announced that its chief operating officer, Jamie Engen, has been appointed chief executive officer and president by the company’s board of directors. Engen has also been appointed to the company’s board of directors. Greg Mackie, the company’s founder and chairman commented: "The Mackie board of directors strongly supports the effort and progress that Jamie has made on behalf of our company as our chief operating officer over the last year. As COO, Jamie has proved himself capable of managing the day to day activities of the growing Mackie organization, at the same time proving himself capable of providing the leadership and strategic guidance that we require of a CEO." Mackie has also appointed Ivan Schwartz as director of corporate communications for all of the Mackie companies. Schwartz comes to Mackie from his previous position as direc
PLASA has announced that Neil Darracott (pictured right), design engineer at Total Fabrications Ltd, has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Association following the elections which closed on 1 st December. The elections attracted 123 membership votes in total, compared with 104 last year. Mick Hannaford (Light Processor), the serving PLASA chairman, has been re-elected for his second three-year term, while PLASA Treasurer Sammy DeHavilland of Dare Pro Audio/Deco Leisure, has been re-elected for a three-year term. Newcomer Neil Darracott fills the other three-year term, while Paul Hinkly of LMC Audio, who was co-opted onto the PLASA committee last year, was elected for a further one-year term.Peter Walker of NSR, who was not re-elected, has served on the PLASA Committee for the past six years, and was for much of that time involved with membership issues, particularly related
Further to our news story of 27 October, Group One of Farmingdale, New York has officially announced the appointment of Keith Dale as International sales and marketing manager for its Elektralite, the company’s lighting control division. Dale, the founder of lighting control manufacturer Celco, has worked with Group One in a manufacturer/distributor capacity for some 15 years. He told us: “It’s great to be working with the Elektralite team, they’re a great group with an expanding range of control products that deserves a wider international audience. My mission is to increase brand awareness on a global basis and introduce the many advantages of the product line to international distributors and end-users alike.”Dale will be based in London, and can be contacted on: Tel: +44 (0)20 8467 5421, or via the e-mail address below.
