UK - PixelRange has announced the appointment of Paul Young as business development manager. Young will play an integral role in the commercial direction of both PixelRange and JTE future business development.

Young states: "I am delighted to join PixelRange, and I am convinced that this is the right time and role to take my career to the next level. The current products are market leaders - and quite simply, with the new products they are poised to launch, it was impossible not to jump at the opportunity to take this role. We are all here excited at the immediate and long term future."

Young brings 15 years industry experience to this new position, covering not only a variety of roles, but the entire spectrum of lighting products - from truss to the most sophisticated lighting control systems.

JTE director John Hickinbotham states: "We know Paul very well and

USA - Harman Professional chief executive officer, Blake Augsburger has been named a recipient of Texas Tech University's Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering Distinguished Engineer Award. The Award is recognition of University alum who have excelled in their profession, have provided inspiration to their peers and have demonstrated a continuing interest in areas outside of engineering. Blake Augsburger joins Chi-Ming Chang, James A. Edmiston, Shelby Johnson and J. G. Soules as 2009 Distinguished Engineer Award recipients for outstanding contributions to the engineering field.

"I am honoured and humbled to be named a Distinguished Engineer by Texas Tech University," Blake Augsburger said. "Having attended the school for my graduate and post-graduate degrees, I am acutely aware of the depth of talent that passes through the University's halls. It's a grea

Spain - Yamaha has appointed Manuel Rivera to the position of commercial audio manager at its Iberia office, based in Madrid.

After a long career as an engineer in the Spanish professional audio industry, Rivera joined Yamaha in 2003 as head of the service department in Madrid. There he was tasked with carrying out a major restructuring, making significant improvements to customer service levels.

"This is a time when the new, closer Europe requires new and innovative approaches to business," says Rivera. "In my new role I am determined that we will work hard as a team to enhance Yamaha's industry leadership in the Spanish and Portuguese professional audio markets."

"Manuel brings a fresh and dynamic leadership to our operations in Iberia," adds Nick Cook, European marketing director for Yamaha Commercial Audio. "His product skills have ben

UK - Harman International's mixer group has made senior personnel changes to further extend Soundcraft Studer's position in the global audio markets.

Studer's Executive VP of sales, Bruno Hochstrasser, will retire at the end of 2009, making way for Adrian Curtis, previously VP Sales for Soundcraft, to take on the mantle for both Soundcraft and Studer. Curtis will assume this position immediately whilst Hochstrasser will remain within the sales team for the remainder of this year to ensure an effective hand-over.

Andy Trott praised Hochstrasser for his 37 years' service to Studer "Bruno epitomises Studer's resilience and drive for innovation; he managed the business during the days when every top studio in the world had a Studer reel to reel tape machine, then, when the recording market changed dramatically during the 90's he transitioned the business into the world's lead

USA - Radian Audio Engineering has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Keith Klawitter. He will assume responsibilities for Western Regional Sales working out of the company headquarters in Orange, California beginning 1 May.

Klawitter has a long career in the audio industry stretching back over more than 20 years. He is best known as the founder and president of high-end speaker design and manufacturing company KRK Systems, which he established in Huntington Beach, California in 1986. He remained with the company as chief consultant for five years after Stanton Magnetics acquired the name and assets in 2000.

(Jim Evans)

Canada - Ross Video has announced the appointment of Alan Bunting, as regional sales manager for Central Europe. He will be based in the UK and will report to Sharon Quigley, manager, international sales - EAIME. He will be responsible for managing Ross Video sales in Central Europe with a strong focus on supporting the distribution channels in Central Europe.

"Alan is a great addition to the Ross Video Europe sales team," said Sharon Quigley. "His enthusiasm and experience in the broadcast industry will have an immediate impact for Ross Video. "

"I am looking forward to working with the Ross Video team and distribution channels," said Alan Bunting. "Ross Video is always growing and developing broadcast technologies for the market and I look forward to expanding their presence in Central Europe."

(Jim Evans)

Sweden - Lab.gruppen has appointed Joakim Hammar to the role of application engineer. A Swedish national living in the UK, Joakim will be covering all European territories where his remit is to provide technical advice, support and training to all PLM and Lake users.

Hammar worked as a sound engineer and project manager at Scandinavia's largest supplier to the event and live music industry, United Audio Starlight, until his move to the UK two years ago. Since then he has continued to consolidate his experience working as a freelance sound/system engineer in Scandinavia and the UK.

Lab.gruppen's European sales manager, Claus Behrens comments: "He's first and foremost a highly skilled systems engineer who has been responsible for some very big systems, so he speaks the same language as his customers. His primary role is to offer technical support and advice, and to bring us

Canada - Adamson Systems Engineering has hired two new tour support engineers after a series of interviews conducted at this year's Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt.

David Dohrmann is currently based in Berlin, Germany and will join Adamson European Tour Support with chief technician, Jochen Sommer.

Dohrmann will provide support and training with Sommer who reports, "After the interviews we all agreed that David's technical knowledge combined with his friendly and highly motivated demeanour made him number one on our list. He's gotten up to speed with our gear very fast, he has good ears, and his system tuning fits our approach. I'm confident that he will be a major reinforcement for Adamson's European Support."

Ewan McDonald, hailing from Sydney, Australia, will be joining Adamson's Canadian headquarters support team. His career began just over 10 years ago, and got hi

USA - SIA Acoustics in New York has announced the addition of Adam Di Angelo to its consulting team in New York. Di Angelo's focus as an acoustical consultant will include architectural drafting/detailing and room acoustics.

Di Angelo holds a B.A. in architecture and foreign languages from Temple University, and an M.S. in architectural acoustics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). While at RPI, he studied room acoustics, psychoacoustics, and sound measurement with distinguished faculty members Ning Xiang and Paul Calamia.

"I see SIA Acoustics as an industry leader. They are innovators who have a significant impact on the practice of acoustical consulting. I am excited to be a part of it," says Di Angelo.

(Jim Evans)

France - Richard McHardy has joined Innovision as business development director and becomes part of the Innovision senior management team.

Richard's key responsibility will be to further develop and implement Innovison's new business strategy domestically and internationally.

Andrew Douglass, chief executive, Innovision said: "Richard has had a very successful career to date and worked with some of the best agencies in the industry. I believe he is one of the best and very much at the top of his game. I am just delighted to welcome him to Innovision, where I know he will thrive."

"I am really impressed and excited by the culture and vision at Innovision, which are very much in tune with my own aspirations" said McHardy. "The breadth and quality of work the company is producing is genuinely exciting and I believe the new business potential is exponent

UK - Nick Edwards, formerly of PRG Europe, has taken up a new post as project manager at Panalux, where he will be working in the Broadcast and Events Division, alongside Ed Pagett and Simon Roose.

Edwards began as a service technician for installation company Design Intervention in 2000. In 2002 he joined VLPS (PRG Lighting) at Greenford and went on to serve as a senior Vari-Lite technician working on site across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. His experience has included theatre, corporate events, television and concert touring, with highlights including the MTV Europe Awards, The Brits, The Baftas, Live Earth, The Royal Variety Performance and most recently the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow.

At Panalux, Edwards will be project managing a wide range of shows for the Broadcast & Event Division's growing portfolio of clients including studio-based and outside broa

UK - Ryan Thomas has joined Overt Light to Sound, as the area sales manager covering the East/North East England & Scotland. After many years at Audio Technica, Thomas will now be concentrating on promoting Overt's main brands, Dap Audio, DMT (Dutch media Tools) Showtec Lighting & Antari Smoke & Effect machines.

Overt MD, Malcolm Burlow says, "Ryan is the final piece in the jigsaw that we have been looking for. He is a young dynamic guy who will fit very well into our sales team. We now have the whole of the UK & Ireland covered by on the road sales managers.

"I do believe that a good strong on the road sales team is still a very important tool for a sales distribution company in 2009. Being able to support our dealers with demos both at their premises and on site is pivotal to maintaining good relationships. After all, sound & light needs to be seen and heard."

Europe - GE Consumer & Industrial has announced key appointments to the leadership team under Phil Marshall, president & CEO EMEA. The new line-up includes the appointment of two commercial directors, one to lead the Lighting business, and the second to lead the power protection businesses.

Simon Phillips has been appointed as the commercial director for Europe, Middle East and Africa for the lighting business. He has 10 years experience in GE Lighting in Europe and prior to this 12 years with Thorn Lighting, holding a variety of European sales, product and marketing management roles. Phillips is based in the UK.

Christophe Pomeon is the new commercial leader for power protection business. He has worked with GE since 2003 and is based in Germany.

Supporting Phil Marshall's strategy for growth, GE Consumer & Industrial has also appointed new human resources and communications

UK - Digital Projection International (DPI) has announced the appointment of Neil Draper to customer support engineer. In his new role at Digital Projection he will work within the technical operations team to provide technical support to DPI customers in Europe and Asia as well as implementing technical training initiatives to customers worldwide.

Trevor Middlemas, technical operations manager said, "Neil will be a welcomed asset to the team and the company. His in depth knowledge and experience can further enhance our dedicated service to the customer."

Draper has more than 17 years in the music recording and audio post production industry and previously worked for AMS Neve. In his last role as product specialist he worked within the sales and marketing department and dealt with product development to major customers like Abbey Road Studios, Warner Brothers and Luc

Denmark - Peter Høy has been appointed Martin Professional's new factory manager at its 12,500sq.m facility in Frederikshavn, Denmark.

Høy, who started in the position on 4 May, brings with him more than 20 years of experience from highly technological companies in the electronics industry including Thrane & Thrane, Eurocom Industries and S.P. Radio.

Høy has several years of general management experience at the director level in Operations. He also brings with him broad staff and management level knowledge, particularly in the areas of production, logistics, quality assurance and IT.

"I look forward to the challenges and responsibility that comes with the manufacture of hi-tech quality products and am proud to be working with such motivated employees in a factory that is the world leader in its field," Høy stated.

(Jim Evans)

France - L-Acoustics has appointed two new sales managers: Tim McCall and Peter Owen.

Owen will handle Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, India and the Middle East, a territory he was keen to represent having grown up in Doha. He previously worked for Harman's UK distributor Arbiter, Martin Audio and Biamp. "I've always admired L-Acoustics for their belief in finding the right partnerships, and not just closing the next sale," he says.

McCall, who has spent the last decade working for BSS and Turbosound respectively, will handle southern Europe, Africa and Australasia/Oceania. "I'm very excited by the opportunity to work for such a principled and technologically-driven company," says McCall. "I am looking forward to working with our partners - be they distributors, installers, rental companies or consultants - across a divers

UK - In recent months, TED AV has appointed three new members of staff to its team: Sam Nankivell is now business development executive. He joins from Barking's Broadway Theatre, where he was operations manager.

Leon Hudston joins as project manager UK. Hudston was formerly project manager for P6 UK, where he managed a number of new-build retail projects, including the Desigual store in London's Westfield shopping centre.

Elliot Ryan joins as in-house technician. Ryan was previously technician at the Radlett Centre. Andy Howling (originally TED AV's senior sales engineer) takes on the mantle of project manager overseas. Finally, Mark Morley has been appointed to the board of TED UK as technical director. Morley joined the company in October 2005 to set-up TED AV and continues to head-up the TED AV team.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians has named freelancer John Tapster as the ABTT Technician of the Year 2009.

Originally planning to teach primary school mathematics, 'Tappy' (as he is affectionately known) was enticed to switch direction to the theatre, after a visit in 1996 to see Phantom of the Opera at Manchester's Opera House, and being bowled over by the technical wizardry.

He cut his teeth at the Middlesbrough Little Theatre, before joining Basildon Towngate Theatre as a general technician. Work quickly followed, including a Belgium ice show, Open Hand Theatre Company, Liverpool Everyman (chief technician) and a stint on Eclipse at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach.

A move to Stoke-on-Trent's Victoria Hall proved fruitful, when he was also offered the chief electrician's job at the city's newly opened Regent Theatre, where he remained for four years b

UK - Lighting designer Tim Routledge of Blue Lens has won a BAFTA Wales Award (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for Best Lighting Director. The Award was presented at the BAFTA Wales Awards 2009 held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Routledge won the Award for Grand Slam, a two-hour "as live" concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff celebrating Wales winning the Six Nations Grand Slam rugby trophy last year. It was headlined by the Stereophonics and also featured performances by Feeder, Rhydian Roberts and Heather Small, plus interviews and Ruth Jones from Gavin and Stacey.

Routledge's challenges on the job included lighting a stadium sized show on a studio budget in a very short time - for which he used a combination of ingenuity, lateral thinking and classic lighting skills. "I was really pleased with the results" he c

The Netherlands - Prolyte has announced the appointment of Gert Felten as managing director of the Prolyte Products Group. This appointment is the final step in the gradual transition of the company's management team after the participation of the GIMV investment group in 2007.

Fokko Smeding, founder and shareholder of Prolyte, will stay active within the company, offering the management his professional vision and plans for the future. "Being able to put daily operations in capable hands, leaves me room to do what I'm best at," states Smeding. "My involvement with Prolyte will remain significant, laying out plans for the future holds a big challenge for me, all the more because this business is a thrill to work in."

Gert Felten was able to experience the many facets of Prolyte in his previous position as production manager and can rely on the support and k

Dubai - Community Professional Loudspeakers has announced the appointment of John Dodson to represent its sales and business development throughout the Middle East region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Based in Dubai, Dodson was previously with Bose for 23 years. His positions included UK business development manager and national sales manager before he relocated to Dubai to direct Middle East and Africa sales operations 15 years ago.

"I am really pleased to be representing Community," commented Dodson. "They have an unequalled product range for all-weather applications on any scale, and great products across all areas of the installation sector. With some very high profile projects in the Middle East already, the sales potential for the brand is substantial, and I'm looking for

USA - Shure Incorporated has combined the sales, marketing, and support staff of the company's International Americas Business Unit with the US Business Unit to form the new Americas Business Unit.

"To drive sustained growth for the Company, we decided to align these two business units into one," said Chris Schyvinck, Shure's executive vice president of global marketing and sales. "This new structure enables us to offer a broader set of resources to support our channel partners throughout the Americas - Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean - while continuing the same high level of service and support to our sales reps and customers in the US."

Mark Humrichouser has been appointed general manager of the Americas Business Unit. In this capacity, Mark will lead the overall business for North America, South America, Central America, and

UK - New Zealander Rodd McClintock, a design student at Leeds Metropolitan University, is the winner of the 2009 Enlighten Design Competition run by Leeds-based High Technology Lighting.

The brief in the fourth annual contest staged by the Middleton Grove lighting design specialist was to design a luminaire for a high-end market using Philips matchbox gear and fluorescent lamps.

McClintock, 37, won the competition - it encourages innovation, raises awareness of the potential the lighting sector can offer and recognises and rewards good ideas - with his entry Lumin-Eye,centred around a sustainable world theme.

He explained: "My inspiration came from the sea, with the design based on brain coral and blown glass, which is made from sand, a highly sustainable resource with excellent reflective qualities and producing beautiful colours, though my winning entry was mad

UK - HHB Communications has announced the recruitment of Adam Parr to its sales team. Parr arrives at HHB following seven years at Total Audio Solutions.

"It¹s great to be joining an organisation with such a strong reputation for service and innovation, and with a 30 year history of successfully meeting the needs of audio and broadcast professionals," says Parr.

As media organisations continue to decentralise their operations away from the capital, Parr will be located in the Midlands part of an ongoing commitment by HHB to better serve its customers in the provinces.

"It¹s always been important for us to meet with our customers on site, and basing Adam in the Midlands makes HHB much more accessible to broadcast, post and recording facilities in Birmingham, Manchester and beyond," states HHB sales director Steve Angel. "We feel confident that our r

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