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USA - Las Vegas-based Transamerica Audio Group has announced the addition of Todd Peterson to the new position of marketing manager, and completed a move to new, expanded headquarters. Both moves are designed to solidify the Transamerica's position as a leading supplier of high-end pro audio equipment for recording and live applications.

Peterson has 10 years' experience in purchasing, sales management, marketing and operations for Leo's Pro Audio, a large California-based pro audio retailer. He began his career more than 13 years ago at Guitar Center in Berkley, California. In his new role, he will work to enhance Group's overall sales and marketing efforts by facilitating the flow of product and added value information between manufacturers and dealers, managing the company's national press efforts and website, coordinating product demonstrations and reviews and handling digit

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UK - In January 2004, well-known industry PR, Max Kay, celebrated twenty years of public relations, working exclusively in the MI, professional audio and DJ sectors. Over the space of two decades, his clients have included the likes of Gibson, Yamaha, C.F. Martin, Gemini, Digitech, Soundcraft, Parker, Fane, Steinberger, Celestion, B.C. Rich, Premier, Chevin, Guild, Rocktron, Hartke, Seymour Duncan, MTD, Trace Elliot, Rolls, Modulus Graphite, Rivera, Snarling Dogs, VHT, Barcus-Berry, Spector, Fishman and Samson, to name a few. Today, he continues to represent the PR interests of EMG, BBE and G&L, not only in the US, but in the UK, Europe and Pacific Rim too.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

Doughty - Banner - ABTT (27 May - 5 June)

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USA - California-based pro audio manufacturer QSC Audio has appointed Mauricio Saint Martin as export sales manager. Prior to joining QSC, Saint Martin held the position of Latin America sales director for Mackie Designs, EAW and RCF (Loud Technologies).

Saint Martin brings over 14 years of international sales experience to QSC. His background encompasses positions within the professional audio, retail/MI and lighting sectors, and he has a comprehensive background in contracting and touring. "I'm very excited about joining QSC," he told us. "I've always considered QSC the model company to work for - not only because it is one of the most respected names in the audio space, but because of the can-do culture that differentiates QSC from other companies. This appointment is a great opportunity for me. I look forward to working closely with our international distribu

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UK - The DVD authoring department of Richmond Studios has appointed Mandy Roberts as DVD designer/author. Mandy has scooped a total of four broadcast and media industry awards in South Africa for her multimedia work. As a freelance DV editor and DVD author, she worked extensively with communications, broadcast design and new media development companies in South Africa, followed by work as an editor and multimedia developer for clients including British Airways and KPMG. Her skills embrace DVD authoring as well as conceptual, sound and graphic design and editing.

Holding a Diploma in Film Arts, she was a double finalist in the Loerie Awards for her work on BA's 21st Century Travel CD-ROM and Everite's Building Products DVD, and won the 2001 Business Day Award for Panasonic SA's website.

Richmond Studios' DVD department specializes in high-quality music releases, a

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UK - As we announced last week, Roger Duncan sadly died on Monday 1 December after battling against cancer. He was undergoing further treatment when he died suddenly in hospital. Roger was known throughout the industry, having worked tirelessly for the STLD as sponsor liaison, and most members would have dealt with him directly at some time.

Roger's funeral will be at 11a.m. on Monday, 15 December 2003 at The Chiltern Crematorium, Whielden Lane, Amersham, HP7 0ND (the road is part of the A404 from Amersham - High Wycombe). Anyone wishing to attend should notify STLD chairman, Bernie Davis, at the e-mail address provided below.

Roger's wife has requested family flowers only, but if anyone would like to make a donation it should be sent to the funeral director, who will divide the sum between Cancer Research UK and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People; or if you want the donation to go

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USA - Furman Sound Inc has announced the appointment of James R. Bonfiglio as its president and CEO. Bonfiglio has over 30 years of experience with leading corporations, and previously held positions as president and CEO with Home America and Texscan Corp, as well as senior management positions with Rockwell International, Cenco Inc and The Gillette Company.

Bonfiglio's development and implementation of strategic plans has dramatically improved company and division efficiency in the past, leading to accelerated product development programs, record sales growth, and increased profitability, say Furman. Bonfiglio joins Furman as the company enters a new period of expansion: the company currently manufacturers over 100 high-quality professional products under the Furman brand name, as well as the value line of RackRider products. The company is also poised to introduce power condi

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UK - Shure Distribution UK has announced that Ken Morrison has joined the company as a regional sales manager. Ken will be responsible for Scotland, Northern Ireland plus the far North of England and will represent each of the brands distributed by Shure Distribution UK. Having worked within the music industry since 1985, Morrison brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the company and was most recently employed for three and a half years by Arbiter Pro Audio as the company's AKG installed sound manager. Prior to that, Beyerdynamic employed Morrison for seven years as their northern area sales manager.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - Natasha Smith has recently been appointed as manager of Steljes Hire's Loan Pool. The 'Loan Pool', a recent addition to the Steljes Hire Channel Support Services, was launched in September to provide resellers with a direct source of demonstration products. Smith has worked for Steljes Trade for over seven years and has been working in the hire division since 1997. Eddie Bance, director of Steljes Hire commented: "With over seven years of experience at Steljes, Natasha has extensive industry knowledge and will ensure reseller's loan requirements are efficiently and perfectly matched."

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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USA - QSC Audio has appointed Dennis Goettsch as loudspeaker product planner. Goettsch, formerly director of engineering for Radian Audio Engineering, will now oversee all aspects of QSC's loudspeaker development programs. He brings over 20 years of professional audio experience to the company, having worked in both the manufacturing and production aspects of loudspeaker development. Goettsch has served as manager of engineering at EAW as well as product manager for JBL Professional.

"I'm really pleased to be joining QSC," says Goettsch. "QSC is widely recognized throughout our industry as a leading force in sound reinforcement. The opportunity to contribute to the company's loudspeaker programs is exciting. There's a wealth of opportunity in the marketplace for quality loudspeakers and I look forward to being part of QSC's development process."

(Lee Baldoc

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UK - FX Group technical director Frank Oglethorpe has been appointed to the board of directors of the APRS (Association of Professional Recording Services), joining forces with such industry luminaries as chairman Phil Dudderidge (Focusrite), Dave Harries (ex-Air Studios), Malcolm Atkin (Sphere Studios), Mike Banks (SSL) and David Hamilton-Smith (China Blue).

As part of his role, Frank will focus on generating interest in and awareness of the APRS and increasing its membership, as well as soliciting feedback from current members and identifying ways to improve the benefits of joining. As his job at FX brings him into close contact with a wide range of recording services, Frank will mainly be gauging reactions to the Association out in the field.

It's a great privilege to be involved with the heads of our industry," says Oglethorpe. "The APRS has a long and distinguis

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USA - The UK's Simon Baker, of London-based theatre sound specialist Autograph Sound Recording, won the Sound Designer of the Year award at the recent 2003 LDI show in Orlando, Florida. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Baker spent three years as sound supervisor at the Royal National Theatre before joining Autograph in 1999. Since arriving at London's leading sound design and equipment supply company, Simon has quickly risen to become one of the world's most highly respected sound designers. Among other productions, he recently co-designed the West End smash Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Autograph chairman Andrew Bruce and is currently co-designer on Raymond Gubbay's productions of Peter Pan and Pirates of Penzance at the Savoy Theatre, along with Autograph's managing director and fellow sound designer, Terry Jardine.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - DiGiCo USA has appointed Ivan C. Schwartz as US national sales manager to further organize the company's rep/dealer structure within the US and provide high quality service to the regional markets.

Having been involved with sound reinforcement since the late 1970s, Schwartz brings to DiGiCo a wealth of real-world product knowledge as well as an extensive management background in the pro audio industry. Previous positions included corporate director of product and market development at Mackie Designs, director of marketing at EAW, and general manager of Mark IV Pro Audio Group. Schwartz holds a BS Industrial Technology from WWU and is a member of the AES, IEEE, and NSCA.

"We're delighted to welcome Ivan aboard," says Eric Wade, CEO of DiGiCo USA. "We've known him for many years and his experience with dealer networks, as well as his vast industry knowledge

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UK - Martin Professional has announced the return of Chris Hale to the company, where he will provide technical support for the stage, studio and event segment. Hale, who has 12 years of lighting industry experience, returned to the company in September, from Coemar UK, after a year and a half absence.

Hale started his lighting industry career as a freelance programmer, operator and service engineer, working mainly in clubs, and worked freelance for a short time in the US. His previous employment at Martin UK included work as a service engineer/programmer and product manager for lighting and control. He also worked in Martin's educational program, Martin University, and was involved in planning and setting up of exhibitions for Martin UK and worldwide for the company's headquarters. Hale has extensive programming experience having programmed numerous large shows and several larg

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USA - Production Resource Group (PRG) has announced that Steven Cullipher has joined the company's Systems Integration team as a business development executive, based at PRG's Orlando office.

Cullipher has been involved in numerous high-profile projects during his career, including the installation of area lighting systems at Universal's Citywalk in Orlando; the construction of the MSNBC Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey; dimming and control systems for a wide range of sites including for four theatres at the State University of New York (SUNY), The Phil Donahue Show at Manhattan Center Studios in New York, NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., The Golden Moon Casino in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.

Bill Groener, head of PRG's System Integration Group, has known Cullipher for many years and previously worked with him at Bar

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UK - Martin Barbour has been appointed as systems engineer at BSS, reporting to Richard Rowley. Barbour already has wide experience of BSS products, having worked for many years as a freelance engineer. He is best known as a key member of the sound crew at the Millennium Dome in London, installing, programming and taking care of the BSS Soundweb installation.

Barbour has also worked as in-house sound engineer for live TV stations 'Whereits.at' and 'NOW', where he looked after broadcast and stage sound for visiting artists, and on installation projects with Live Business International, including the Milton Keynes SnoZone refurb and the cruise ship Thomson Spirit. He has spent the remainder of his time as a freelance Pro-Tools engineer working on various music projects across London and in his own Pro-Tools edit/mix facility, Doghouse Studios.

(Lee Baldock)

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Germany - Jean-Michael Benseler has taken over the coordination of Electro-Voice's microphone marketing in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Benseler, is well-known and respected within the industry, having enjoyed success on the road with Electro-Voice in the mid-seventies. After many years gathering experience in leading positions with a number of well-known audio firms, Benseler returned to EVI Audio two years ago.

(Lee Baldock)

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Denmark - The Entertainment Sales Division at Martin Professional's Danish headquarters has appointed four experienced and highly qualified Martin personnel to the company's International Entertainment Sales team. All four bring with them years of company experience.

Kasper Gissel joins the Division as business development manager. As former head of corporate finance, Gissel has a strong insight into the global rental market. In addition to strengthening the company's global rental position, Gissel will continue to be involved in sales, pricing and credit policy.

Karsten Petersen has been appointed leisure segment manager. Petersen is a former CFO of Martin US, current project manager for Martin's newly-opened China factory, and manager of the company's cruise line activities, and brings a mix of financial and sales skills to the Entertainment Sales team.

Claus Jensen has be

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UK - TMB has announced the addition of Rob "Lucky" Ludlow to the UK sales department. Although young in years and energy, Rob is a veteran of the industry. Originally from South Africa, Ludlow moved to London, where he worked for ETC Europe and then for White Light. From this background as both a TMB vendor and customer, say TMB, Ludlow developed a platonic relationship with Paul Hartley and many other TMB folks. Not put off by hard work and recognizing the inevitable, Lucky decided to take the TMB challenge.

'Lucky' is well liked in the entertainment lighting industry and, in addition to sales, TMB will utilize his talents to research and help develop new and innovative products. Even his nickname has TMB origins: "Anyone who confuses a pack of Lucky Strikes with a pack of something else and has the honesty to talk about it," says TMB European general manage

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UK - On 12 December 2003, during ETC's festive bash at the Crypt of St Martin's-in-the-Fields, London, LD Mark Johnathan presented Richard Pilbrow with a Fellowship of the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) - an organization of which he was a founding member. Pilbrow has long been a guru of theatre lighting and is respected throughout the industry for his achievements as a lighting designer, author and theatre consultant.

His first book, Stage Lighting Design, can be found in many a theatre school library and has been as a bible to countless aspiring lighting designers and theatre technicians working today. Pilbrow revolutionized stage lighting in Britain and created Theatre Projects - the first independent lighting design consultancy in the UK - which, of course, has continued to grow and is still going strong today as Theatre Projects Consultants.

(Sarah Rush

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UK - The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has appointed the senior management team for the New Wimbledon Theatre, as the venue prepares to re-open next month. The venue closed in June 2003 and was taken over by ATG in September.

Among the newly-appointed team is general manager Maralyn Sarrington. Most recently, she was general manager of Hampstead Theatre, where she supervized the organization's move to a new, multi-space public venue following its successful Lottery bid. From 1996 - 2001, she was general manager at Shakespeare's Globe, which included managing its opening season in 1997.

David Holder has been appointed theatre manager, in charge of front-of-house services and customer care. David has spent the last four years with ATG, as theatre manager of the Theatre Royal in Brighton and before that, as customer services manager at its flagship venue - The Ambassadors comple

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USA - A.C.T Lighting Inc, the North American distributor of MA Lighting, Zero 88 and Artistic Licence, has announced that Mike Falconer is to leave the company at the end of the month. Falconer, who many in the UK will know from his time at AC Lighting in High Wycombe, has worked in technical sales and support at A.C.T and has been a key member of the company's support staff under technical manager Mario Collazo.

"Mike has been a valuable member of our team", said Bob Gordon, the company's president and CEO. "I am sorry to see him go, but I wish him the best and I hope to continue our close personal and business relationship."

Falconer is leaving the company to pursue a career in technical writing and is starting his own company called Doubleplusgood Media. "Writing has always been a passion for me and something that I have enjoyed immensely" sai

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UK - VLPS Lighting Services has announced the arrival of industry veteran Philip Norfolk. He has taken on the role of regional sales manager, joining Simon Roose and Colin Brooker. Norfolk will be looking after the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia territory.

Simon Roose, European sales manager commented: "Of course, Philip is well known in the industry and is a valued addition to our sales team. Sales of Vari-Lite Product have grown rapidly since the launch. With the most recent success of the VL3000 Series and the imminent arrival of the quiet version of the VL3000, the timing of Philip's appointment could not be better."

Norfolk commented: "Vari-Lite have always had the passion to create truly innovative product and has their core in providing lighting professionals with the perfect tools for the job. I am delighted to join the team here at VLPS sales and look forw

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USA - Crown International has named Larry Baker as market director for Portable PA, Recording and Broadcast. The appointment was announced by Mark Graham, Crown's vice-president of marketing and product development.

Baker brings diverse experience to the position, with more than a decade of business development and strategic marketing experience with major consumer and high tech B2B companies. He has spearheaded numerous product line strategies including re-establishing RCA audio products in the US, launching the distribution and sale of GE Communication products internationally, and establishing Unicru as the leading hiring management system in the US. Larry received both his BS Chemical Engineering and MBA from Purdue University.

"We are excited to have Larry join our team," said Mark Graham. "Larry's extensive skills in market analysis and business developmen

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UK - The Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) has announced that Diane Grant of DHA Lighting and Andrew Bishop of Carlsbro Electronics have been elected PLASA chairman and vice-chairman respectively, with Tim Brown of Apple Sound re-elected as PLASA treasurer. The Association's previous chairman, David Hopkins (OBE) of Audio Design Services remains on the PLASA committee, but former vice-chairman Sammy de Havilland steps down, having completed his term in office.

During the year ahead, the new committee will focus on several key themes, including improved services for the membership and greater emphasis on safety and training.

(Lee Baldock)

  1. New appointments at MC2 Audio
  2. New MI/Retail manager for QSC
  3. Loud appoints manager for EAW Commercial
  4. Digico USA appoints Allan Nichols
  5. Orbital introduces three new support roles
  6. David Johnson to head up LD & ED magazines
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