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Marquee Audio will forge even closer links with the concert touring industry, following the arrival of the experienced Glen Smith. Formerly founder of ISE - a company specializing in the supply of second-user equipment to the UK's rental production companies - Smith takes up his directorship at the Shepperton Studios-based company with a mandate to deliver the same service.

In a long career as production, tour and stage manager (including Glastonbury and the first WOMAD Festival) and stints with the UK's leading PA companies, Tasco, TFA Electrosound and Britannia Row, he has witnessed all aspects of sound reinforcement and concert touring at close quarters. The service will not be dedicated exclusively to concert touring. "We have already taken in some equipment for the installation market," Smith explains. "It means we can start getting creative and my vision is to deve

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Audio rental company SSE Hire has announced the appointment of two new directors to the Board, Emma Barwell and Spencer Beard. Emma has been with the company for three years and takes on the role of sales director. Spencer has been with SSE for the last six years and joins the Board as hire operations director. SSE Audio Group sales director Chris Beale explains: "We felt it was time to enhance the scope of the Board by adding some younger members, who we know will bring along fresh ideas and attitudes. Both Emma and Spencer have proved themselves to be invaluable to the team at SSE over recent years, and we are pleased that they both accepted this new challenge."

SSE Audio Group Managing Director John Penn added: "With the formation of the Audio Group this year, we have all been very busy dealing with the wider business. It was therefore an appropriate time for us to lo

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Ken Achard, managing director of Peavey Electronics' European subsidiary, received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science at a graduation ceremony in London's Barbican Centre on November 19 2001. Conferred on him by the University of Westminster, the award was presented by the Chairman of the Court of Governors, Sir Alan Thomas, in front of two thousand graduates, their friends and families and University academics.

In her citation, Dr. Maud Tyler, Provost of the Harrow Campus of the School of Communications and Creative Industries, recognized the lifetime achievements in the music industry. Ken Achard was born in 1942 and educated at Lewes County Grammar School. A veteran of 38 years in the music business, he became an acknowledged authority on vintage guitars in the early seventies, publishing one of the first works of reference on the subject - The History and Development of the Am

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Following the restructuring of its top management team earlier this year, Sennheiser UK has now completed the initial phase of that process with the appointment of Alan Johnson as director of sales. Johnson, age 35, joins the company from Sony Broadcast and Professional UK, and brings considerable management experience of sales and marketing in professional audio to the post.

A career start with five years in retail management running the Sutekina hi-tech music store in London’s Denmark Street, was followed by a move into distribution with Sound Technology as Alesis ADAT specialist in 1995, before recruitment by Yamaha-Kemble to head up its professional audio sales and marketing operation.

During a four-year stay at Yamaha, Johnson was responsible for establishing the Commercial Audio division, in a restructuring of the company’s non-MI audio business. During that time h

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OPTI, the lighting effects and trussing supplier, has appointed Idunn Rodziewicz to its domestic sales team as regional sales manager. Rodziewicz brings with her 17 years of experience in the retail and exhibition market with Marler Haley. OPTI chairman Neil Rice told PLASA Media: "We're very pleased to have her on board. She has a great track record with clients here in the UK and internationally, as well as the experience to identify what they need and how to provide it."

Rodziewicz will initially concentrate on the OPTI Trilite side of the business, cementing links with clients across the retail and exhibition markets. She commented: "I'm really looking forward to it. OPTI is a leader in its field, and has great products as well as a fantastic range of support services. I think a lot of our clients, new and existing, are going to be pleasantly surprised at what OPTI c

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Rod Geary, Audio-Technica’s general sales manager, has recently left the company. Geary, who has overseen a period of strong growth for A-T’s UK sales operation, is a well-liked and respected member of the audio community and accordingly has already received a number of offers from some of the industry's leading manufacturers. He explained: "I intend to assess all the options and I will take my time to ensure that I make the right choice. Whatever my next step may be, I am simply looking forward to getting my teeth into a new role with the enthusiasm that comes from a fresh challenge."

Rod Geary can be contacted via the e-mail address below

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Central London-based Orbital Sound, specialists in the design and supply of sound and communications systems for theatre, broadcast and entertainment, has just celebrated its eighth successful year in business. To mark this point in the company's development, it has announced an expansion of its board of directors.

The board will work together with Orbital's managing director, Chris Headlam, whose decision to realign the organization's directive from within will ensure that the company is well positioned to advance into its next evolutionary phase. Jane Finlay has taken on the role of director of personnel, Sebastian Frost is creative director and Dominic Rozendaal commercial director. This new company structure will not only allow for organic growth, but will also augment the company's consistently high standards across all divisions from hire to sound design, supply and installation,

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Richard Martin Lighting has announced another new addition to the company - Michael Stevens, who joins the company as technical manager. Stevens leaves behind his former position as senior engineer at Martin Professional UK, where he had spent the last seven years. RML is a specialist rental supplier of intelligent lighting and control systems to the film and television industry. The company's clients have included Top of the Pops, The Spice Girls, SMTV Live, BBC Studios, Comic Relief and The Brit Awards.

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Media communications company Dimes & Sillitoe has moved to Kingston-upon-Thames after announcing a joint venture with Surrey-based design agency, DCG. Dimes & Sillitoe, headed by Nick Dimes and Sue Sillitoe, handles press and public relations for a number of clients within the music, pro audio and broadcast industries. These include Audio Processing Technology, Sphere Studios, Munro Associates, the FX Group, Curious Software and the Music Managers Forum. DCG offers traditional print and graphic design services, but has recently expanded its operation to include a communications and marketing strategy department and a technology division handling new media and internet-based projects. Working in partnership will enable both companies increase the range of services they offer.Caption

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Shuttlesound has appointed Virgil Lund to its sales team. According to senior sales manager, Sean Maxwell, Lund's appointment completes "the strongest sales team we have ever had, with expertise across all areas of the professional audio market." Lund's particular speciality is in MI and the rental market, having come from almost a decade in MI and pro audio retail with the Academy of Sound where he held the position of assistant branch manager. "I'm extremely customer service-driven," explains Lund, "and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to develop my skills and passion for sound reinforcement across such a broad customer base with a wide range of products from prestigious brands. Having spent nearly 10 years on the other side of the counter, I think I'm in a good position to anticipate exactly what customers want from a supplier and make sure we deliver it!

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AV specialist Blitz Communications has appointed Fraser McCaig as sales manager to increase market share for the company's new Birmingham branch. McCaig will be responsible for raising the profile of Blitz Vision in the Midlands region. McCaig has 17 years' experience in the Midlands AV and video production industry, having spent eight years as hire manager for Quadrant Video Systems in Birmingham, specializing in broadcast and professional equipment hire and filming. Prior to his appointment at Blitz he spent three years selling audio-visual equipment and systems, and project managed large systems installations for clients such as Marconi Communications, Anglo Irish Bank Corporation and Royal Doulton.

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Paul Wood has joined XL Video, the concert touring and live event video specialists, as a project manager. Wood joins XL’s team, headed by Chris Mounsor, Lee Spencer, Des Fallon and Richard Burford, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Wood was previously the projects and operations manager for the LED screen department of SPS, where he handled events for blue chip clients like Microsoft and Bloomberg TV. Before that, he enjoyed several years on the road as a freelance engineer and projectionist, cutting his teeth in this exacting area of live production. XL’s Lee Spencer comments: "It’s great to have Paul onboard. He fully complements the rest of the team, and has all the attributes needed to thrive in XL’s lively and energetic working environment."

Wood is currently working on the Tweenies UK arena tour for XL, along with a number of other event

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TMB has continued the expansion of its sales department with the addition of Lisa Kerwath, based at the company's offices in Burbank, California. Kerwath's experience in entertainment lighting includes one year as production manager at Design Lighting Group and two years at Light & Sound Design, where she worked as a production coordinator. "We know that our customers are going to love working with Lisa. She is experienced, extremely intelligent and has a great attitude," says Tommy Stephenson, TMB sales manager. "As soon as we’ve got her Fly Fishing, she'll be the perfect TMB employee!"

(Lee Baldock)

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Following the recent integration of the Zero 88 and iLight management teams, Zero 88 has promoted Tim Burt to Zero 88 brand manager. As a result of Graham Eales' recent move to head up the iLight Group, Burt has taken over the day-to-day running of the Zero 88 brand. With over 10 years' experience in the lighting industry and a pivotal member of the Zero 88 sales team over the last five years, Burt is ideally placed to take on the position. "I intend to continue the work which Graham Eales started with the brand and build on the opportunities which our partnership with iLight has presented," commented Burt.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Central London-based Orbital Sound have appointed Eric Simpson as their senior warehouse manager. He has joined their central London based team to further streamline the operations of their busy warehouse situated at the heart of the Brixton-based facility.

Eric, whose experience is known to many, has officially "hung up his touring boots" to take on this role which follows over 21 years touring with some of the largest names in the business. Recent credits include Ronan Keating, Feet of Flames, Westlife and Hear'say. His knowledge of sound systems as both a FOH operator and chief engineer, coupled with his understanding of live productions, gives him the right credentials to oversee the warehouse operations.

The warehouse forms the core of Orbital's infrastructure and is situated in the adjoining buildings behind their Victorian townhouse where the sound and communications

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Experienced pro audio sales specialist, Sue Webb, has joined TOA (UK) as sales manager. She most recently occupied a similar position with Wharfedale Professional, and prior to that worked with both HHB and Harman, having started her audio career in production at Soundcraft.

Sue will assist in the resurgence of the TOA brand in the UK and specifically focus on their huge roster of products at retail level, notably the Japanese company's low impedance speakers. "TOA already has a reputation in the contracts market, but after 16 years in the pro audio business, my immediate challenge will be to increase the company's market share in retail sectors such as the music industry." The aim will be to consolidate relationships with TOA’s present distributor network as well as develop new outlets as the company’s marketing reach expands.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Martin Professional has reorganized some key internal departments at its Danish headquarters with the goal of increasing the range of its sales and marketing functions. Martin President and CEO Kristian Kolding has taken over the position of international sales director - entertainment, previously under the leadership of Pio Nahum. Pio will maintain his position as international marketing director, as well as his post as CEO of Martin Professional Italy.

Gorm Teichert, who recently filled the new position of international sales director - architectural, assumes responsibility for product management in the architectural segment. In addition, export sales manager Anders Kryger has taken over responsibility for Martin's qualified team of area sales managers, as well as a growing number of associated companies.

(Ruth Rossington)

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AC Lighting has announced that Nic Tolkien is to retire immediately from the position of export sales director. Tolkien had been instrumental in developing the export market for AC Lighting since 1984 and managed the export sales office on a daily basis. AC Lighting's managing director, David Leggett commented: "Nic is our longest serving employee and has been with AC Lighting since the early days. We would like to publicly thank him for all his hard work over the years."

Cally Bacchus, export sales manager, continues to lead the day-to-day export sales operation with the established team of directors retaining overall direction. There are no immediate plans to appoint a replacement.

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AV specialist Saville Audio Visual has appointed Matt Alexander as area sales manager for South London, Kent and parts of Surrey and Sussex. Formerly based in Devon with Greenham Video, Alexander has extensive experience in the AV industry and his responsibilities will include sales of LCD projectors, audio visual and conferencing systems.

(Lee Baldock)

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PLASA Media has learned the sad news of the death of Bob Salt, who died yesterday while on holiday in Jamaica. Although early details are vague, it is understood that Bob died of pneumonia, following on from a chest infection.

As founder and managing director of RW Salt Communications, one of the country’s leading distributors of PA, pro audio and communications equipment, Bob was very well known to many in the industry. In a statement issued today on behalf of the company, Richard Lyon, chairman of RW Salt Communications, said: "Bob loved this company and its success was his continuing dream. It is my wish to preserve his dream in the best possible way, as do the loyal people who have worked for Bob over time."

He continued: "Everything is in place for the company to continue in a professional way. There will be no delays to supplier payments and our customers c

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Industry veteran Doug Carpenter has joined High End Systems as its new west coast regional accounts manager. Carpenter has 15 years of experience in the lighting industry, most of those concentrated at control and dimming manufacturer NSI. During his years there he worked his way up from production test technician to service manager and onwards to worldwide sales manager. Carpenter will work closely with Randy Mayer, HES' inside sales rep, who recently moved to the company’s LA office.(Lee Baldock)

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Nodd McDonagh, operations director of London-based superclub the Ministry of Sound is parting company with the organisation after eight years. The surprise news followed shortly after the departure in November of Hector Dewar, chief operating office of the group, both moves as a result of what Ministry insiders call "a strategic reshuffle".

Nodd, formerly with leisure giants Rank and First Leisure, oversaw the club operations originally as general manager, then rising to operations director as the global music and media group capitalised on its early successes and began to expand into many diverse areas worldwide. It was in the globe-trotting, trouble-shooting role that Nodd excelled, finding himself organising successful Ministry events from Knebworth to Ibiza: more recently of course, he was heavily involved in the massive New Year’s Eve gig at the Millennium Dome - t

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Louis Teo has left Singapore-based distributor Del Salado Entertainment Pte Ltd to start his own company, Lighting & Sound Distribution. The new company will also operate from Singapore and will import and export lighting and sound goods including special effects such as fiber optics, foam machines, CO2 Jets, as well as distributing brands such as Logic System Pro Audio, Starway, MBN, DiscoTech, Supervision and Dare Pro Audio in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

(Lee Baldock)

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Christie Lites has announced the appointment of Rob Kennedy, former vice-president of theatre for Westsun International, to the position of rental account manager for Christie Lites Toronto. Kennedy’s early experience as a technical director and production manager in regional theatre and summer festivals, combined with his 14 years’ experience as a rental rep in the theatre market, makes him a very welcome addition to Christie Lites, say the company.

Kennedy’s professional accomplishments include assembling the lighting systems for The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Show Boat, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Fosse, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Barrymore, Sunset Boulevard, The Bridge, Mamma Mia and productions of Disney’s The Lion King in New York, London, Toronto and Los Angeles.

(Lee Baldock)

  1. Bob Salt: Memorial Service
  2. FX Expands Into 2002
  3. New Sales Manager for Next Two
  4. Warren Connelly joins Blackout Triple E
  5. New Appointments at Stage Electrics
  6. All Change at ACDC
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