UK - Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Peter Mumford’s prestigious career, last December saw the ALD host an evening In Conversation with Peter Mumford where he was bestowed with a Fellowship of the Association, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of lighting design. On presenting the award, Lucy Carter commented: “I’ve got a lot to thank Peter for, because 25 years ago when I was a dance and drama student, I didn’t even know about lights in performance and it was watching Peter’s designs for contemporary dance that I suddenly saw this new medium and is essentially why I’m a lighting designer now. I’m sure that Peter is still inspiring us all and inspiring a new generation as well.” The event to reflect upon his career was held at the National Theatre on the night following his own press night as lighting designer for
UK - Television lighting rental specialist Version 2 has announced the appointment of Joe Marter as account manager at its Reading operation. Marter entered the television industry with Aurora, starting in a technical role which progressed to project management supporting LDs such as Chris Rigby and Gurdip Mahal. Joe passed through the BBC Wood Norton training academy giving him a solid understanding of studio lighting techniques. Marter most recently worked with event lighting company TSL, where he was able to further hone his customer support skills. As account manager at Version 2, Marter will be liaising with lighting directors, gaffers and production managers to offer support and advice on all aspects of the production process. Managing director Nick Edwards comments: “Marter has not only a proven in-depth equipment knowledge but he also understands the
UK - Green Hippo has announced that David March and Ryan Brown are to take on new directorship roles at the company. Meanwhile, business unit director and former CEO Emma Marlow is to leave the company after almost seven years at the helm. During her stint, Marlow expanded the company’s international operations and oversaw the 2018 acquisition of the company by US-based Spitfire Creative Technologies. The company says in a statement: “Now that Marlow has successfully overseen the integration of Green Hippo into the Spitfire group of specialist AV brands, she will not be directly replaced. Instead, her responsibilities are being split across new roles shared by staff across the family of companies.” David March, a 30-year veteran of the entertainment lighting and video market, expands the sales and marketing role he took on last year, with his promotion to s
Canada - Frédéric Sujobert has been appointed as general manager of Solotech’s Quebec City office, effective 9 March. Under the joint leadership of Martin Chouinard, president of the live productions division, Canada, and Philip Giffard, president of the sales and systems integration division, Frédéric Sujobert will supervise operational and sales performance for the Quebec City/Saguenay region. He will also oversee the development of new business opportunities while promoting synergy across the company's two divisions. Sujobert has held various management positions over the course of his career, notably as vice-president of operations and general manager at Groupe Le Massif. “Mr Sujobert's versatility, leadership and management skills are clear assets for Solotech. We are eager to leverage his in-depth knowledge of the Quebec City area business communit
USA - Bandit Lites has hired Nick Brown to provide lighting design and console operation for various productions, including events and Blackberry Farm, a luxury five-star resort. Brown’s previous experience includes working as the resident lighting designer and technical director foat the University of Tennesseer the Irondale, an Off Broadway theatre in Brooklyn, New York as well as a lighting and video engineer at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. “I've loved concert lighting ever since I was thirteen years old,” comments Brown. “I knew about Bandit Lites when I was studying theatrical lighting design in college, so I'm very excited to finally be a part of this great team.” Upcoming events featuring Brown include the University of Tennessee’s Senior Toast, where students are nominated by faculty and staff and invited t
UK - Green Hippo has further strengthened its London team by appointing Abi Roberts as project and marketing coordinator. Roberts joins from the legal world, where her attention to detail and communication skills led to a role liaising, and maintaining relationships, with a range of clients. She is now channelling this experience into managing a range of Green Hippo marketing, including digital and social media, trade shows and providing marketing support for the distribution network. “I’m thrilled to join such a vibrant company with a clear vision for growth in 2020,” says Roberts. “The AV industry presents an exciting change of direction for my career where I can apply my experience to create some exciting new materials for our customers. I look forward to working with you all in the near future.” Roberts joins Green Hippo as the company moves its L
Poland - Shure Incorporated has announced plans to enhance its market development initiatives in Europe with the appointment of Jacek Rusek as integrated systems market development manager for Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. In this new role based in Warsaw, Rusek will build direct relationships with end customers in the region to better understand their requirements and find solutions that best meet their needs. He will work closely with Shure distributor Polsound to help Shure expand its market growth and position in Poland. “We are pleased to welcome Jacek to Shure,” commented Rob Smith, senior director, integrated systems sales for Western Europe, at Shure. “His background in video conferencing and unified communications as well as his expertise in sales, product management, business development, and technical training, are very beneficial. Jacek wi
UK - Stage and theatre drapes manufacturer J&C Joel has appointed Lauren Kellett as its new chief financial officer (CFO), replacing Nick Warton, who will leave the business in December after almost four years of service. Kellett will helm J&C Joel’s Finance and IT department, assuming full responsibility for the company’s finances including planning, reporting and auditing. Working closely alongside the rest of the senior management team, she will support business growth across the world. James Wheelwright, CEO of J&C Joel added: “On behalf of the company, I would like to welcome Lauren to J&C Joel. Her experience in the finance industry, as well as her knowledge of fabrics is very valuable to our team here at J&C Joel and I have every confidence she will be a great addition to our senior management team. We have expanded significantly in r
UK - RCF UK has appointed Tom Martin to the role of UK technical sales/support. He will be supporting all RCF dealers south of the M62. During his career so far, Martin has worked across many sectors, including tour/product management, FOH engineering, corporate production and audio installations, and many large-scale events including The Olympics, The Brits and MTV Awards. Dean Davoile, UK sales director, comments: “As RCF continues to grow we needed to find someone that was capable of supporting our dealers and demonstrating across all our product ranges. Tom is that person; with his extensive experience in Live, Installed and AV applications, he fits the bill perfectly.” Martin adds: “I am looking forward to getting my teeth into the RCF product lines and working with some great people, both in the UK and Italy.”
South Africa - DWR Distribution has appointed Andrew ‘Andy’ Pettit in the role of sales and technical support for the Cape Town market. He will be joining Bradley Bruchhausen at DWR’s offices in Milnerton, Cape Town from mid-February. “I am very excited to be taking on the role of sales and technical support at DWR Cape Town. I believe that the position will present some much-welcomed new challenges and will allow me to grow both personally and professionally,” says Andrew. “I am honoured to be a part of the DWR family and am looking forward to a bright and rewarding journey with the team.” Andrew is no stranger to the technical entertainment industry. After matriculating, Andrew attended The Cape Audio College where he achieved his Diploma in Audio Technology while working as a freelance technician. Following graduation in 2015, he joined SOLID Group, a
USA - Agnieszka Roginska has begun her term as president of the Audio Engineering Society. Currently celebrating her 20th year as an AES member, Roginska has served in numerous leadership roles within the Society. Professionally, she currently holds the positions of Professor of Music Technology and the vice-chair of the Music and Performing Arts Professions Department at New York University. In her role as Professor of Music Technology at the university, Roginska’s work involves conducting research in the simulation and applications of immersive and 3D audio including the capture, analysis and synthesis of auditory environments, auditory displays and applications in augmented acoustic sensing. She is the author of numerous publications about the acoustics and psychoacoustics of immersive audio and auditory displays. “It is an honour and a privilege to begi
UK - Audiologic has appointed Andy Barnby as business manager. This is a pivotal role built on a strong foundation to support their growing network of customers, which will ensure the highest level of customer service and support is offered. Andy will be responsible for driving forward Audiologic’s strategy and success in providing technical excellence, conducting demonstrations and taking a true ‘hands-on approach’ to guide projects successfully through to completion, on time and on budget, to the highest standard. With 30 years’ experience, Andy joins Audiologic from Prolight Concepts, where he was area manager for 14 years representing brands such as eLumen8, Global Truss, PCE, Kuzar, Zenith and Clever Acoustics. This included lighting, staging, truss and rigging, as well as audio. Andy first started his career in audio working at Bose Professional, followin
UK - Hertfordshire-based live events video specialist Pixl Evolution has announced the appointment of Gilles Quentel to the post of warehouse manager. Gilles has enjoyed a successful career in the UK, following the move from his native France more than 25 years ago. With wide experience in the preparation of AV equipment for the touring, corporate and exhibition sectors, he is accustomed to management roles in busy, high-pressure environments. “I’ve known Gilles a long time and had the pleasure of working with him for a number of years in a previous position,” says managing director Lee Spencer. “His technical AV knowledge is excellent, he has very strong IT skills and his commitment to delivering the highest level of customer service matches the Pixl ethos of going above and beyond. We’re delighted to have secured the services of an exceptional professional.”
USA - With sales on the rise, Mike Hedden, Danley president, has restructured the sales and marketing division to respond to that growth, virtually promoting from within. Towards the end of 2019, long-time Danley staff member, Jeff Pulliam, was named general manager. At the beginning of 2020, Mike Hedden promoted Jonathan ‘JP’ Parker to director of global sales and marketing. JP will be overseeing the newly-fortified team including newly promoted national sales manager Skip Welch, who will manage the domestic sales team. This will include Cooper Hedden, promoted to southeast regional sales manager, Jay Andrews (formerly with Lienau AV) promoted to northeast regional sales manager, and Kim Comeaux, (formerly with Anderson Marketing), promoted to western regional sales manager. Additionally, Harold Sexton and Scott Howard have been recruited as sports market & ho
USA - Ginny Wynn and Joe Muncy have joined the Bandit Lites world headquarters as inside sales representative and a sales floor technician, respectively. Muncy will assist in the daily operations at the warehouse, including sales and production preps, facilitating used gear sales and listings as well as testing and prepping new gear for customer distribution. He has experience in both national tours and regional theatre and worked at VSA as a facilities coordinator in the College of the Arts as well as the technical director of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, lighting and scenic designer of the TSU Opera, and the technical director and lighting designer of many local dance schools. As the inside sales representative, Wynn works with Bandit’s sales and purchasing department in client relations, project management, inventory control, quoting, purchasing and shipp
Italy Prolights has appointed Andrea Gabrielli as the company’s technical director. Gabrielli brings a broad experience and extensive knowledge to the position, having been involved in the design and manufacturing of professional stage lighting and architectural lighting products for more than 20 years. Fabio Sorabella, Prolights MD, comments: “I look forward to work closely with Andrea, as his addition to our team will play a strategic role to consolidate and elevate the technological development of the brand. He boasts a complete background, from design to manufacturing of products intended for the professional lighting market. Andrea will surely be an important asset for the company, leading a dynamic team towards the process of international growth and products recognition the company is experiencing”. Gabrielli says: “I am happy to have joined Prolights. I
Germany - Munich-based fibre network specialists Optocore and BroaMan have announced the promotion of Dawid Somló to sales distribution manager for both brands. Somló has been with the company for five years and during that period has managed relationships with existing distributors as well as significantly expanding the distribution network worldwide. Stepping up to management level, and tasked with overall international sales and network responsibility, he states: “I am delighted to take up this new position and relish the challenge ahead, as nowadays technology allows us to make incredibly smart solutions with high bandwidths using all kinds of signal for different applications. I am honoured to be a part of this technological change on the board of such important companies as Optocore and BroaMan who can make this possible by utilising the optical fiber environ
Germany - Ralf Oehl has been appointed as CEO of studio specialist Georg Neumann. Oehl joins Georg Neumann GmbH after founding his own company, Concinno, which focused on strategic and M&A advisory services to high-end manufactures. With his expertise in areas such as disruptive industrial technologies, innovative new business models and innovation-driving organisations, he has also become a contributor to multiple prestigious institutions, including Fraunhofer Ventures and the World Economic Forum. He has previously worked at high-tech engineering group M+W and a managing partner at Droege Group, a leading German strategy consultancy. At Georg Neumann GmbH, Oehl will report to Peter Claussen, COO of the Sennheiser Group. “It is a great honour to be joining Neumann.Berlin,” comments Oehl. “Taking the helm of a company with such tremendous history
Europe - Nexo has promoted its long-serving UK sales manager Gareth Collyer to the position of sales and marketing director. Collyer has worked with some of the best-known loudspeaker brands in the industry, including Bose and JBL, in a long career which has taken him from DJ to respected partner for the UK’s top audio consultants and system integrators. He has played the central role in establishing Nexo’s direct sales operation in the UK, which is now one of the most successful and high-profile sectors of the company’s international business. Amongst other recent achievements, he has been instrumental in Nexo’s success in large-format sporting venues, including the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City FC, the Wimbledon tennis championship, Croke Park in Dublin, and Headingley Stadium in Leeds. “I’m pleased to be asked to take on this challenge,” c
USA - Industry veteran Josh Berry has joined JRLX as Nashville-based account executive focusing on touring and production. Berry comes to JRLX after a long history in the touring and live music industry. “I am so excited to join the JRLX team. I have met with several companies over the past six months and was very impressed at JRLX’s hunger and attention-to-detail. These guys know how to put out quality work and have fun - it’s going to be a great year,” notes Josh Berry. “Our continued presence in the live music touring market has grown exponentially and we are thrilled to welcome Josh to our team where he will develop and service new touring and production accounts both in Nashville and nationally,” states JRLX CEO Jason Reberski. “Josh will draw upon his contacts and decades of experience to engage in touring business development and account support f
USA - Bandit Lites has hired David Sloan as IT manager, presiding over the entire information technology department, including overseeing the company’s computer equipment, hardware and software needs. Sloan has worked with The Learning Company as a quality assurance tester of foreign language software. He was promoted to QA tech, where he was responsible for building and maintaining the computer laps with prefabricated and custom computer set ups. Sloan also worked as a network administrator for both Mattel Interactive’s Knoxville office and East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA). “For the first eight years, I was the sole technical support for the whole agency,” explains Sloan. “ETHRA continued to grow over the nine additional years, and in the middle of a moving project, the opportunity to join Bandit Lites appeared. It was an opportunity that I did
UK - TechPro, a provider of lighting, video and sound services for the live events industry has announced Yvonne England as its new client account manager. England, who brings more than a decade’s experience to the role, will be responsible for strengthening relationships with existing and new clients, as the business looks to build on its growing success working with live event agencies. England comments: “TechPro appears to be one of the live event industries best kept secrets and ensuring prospects and clients understand everything we can do to make their lives a little easier will be an exciting challenge. “Working closely with the directors and the marketing team, it’s important we not only explain what we do, but listen carefully to them to understand how we can make the workload of event agency teams simpler.” TechPro director Rob Stokes
Singapore - Generation AV, which represents Martin Audio in the APAC countries, has recruited Tony Sawyer as senior APAC applications manager. A significant addition to the team, Sawyer spent 11 years at Bosch Communications/Electro-Voice/Dynacord, and was most recently at Vue Audiotechnik in Manila. Generation AV founder David McKinney, who has known Sawyer for 20 years, sees the appointment as a major boost to the company’s growth. “We started talks a few months ago and decided now was the right time to get him onboard,” explains McKinney. Based in the Philippines, Sawyer’s role is to work closely with all distributors in Asia Pacific, providing project design support, training on new and existing products, supporting major touring events and carrying out product/system training across the region. He will focus on bringing Martin Audio factory training events
Italy - Audio engineer Paolo Calza has joined Outline in the role of pro applications engineer and Outline array trainer. Calza graduated from Rome’s Saint Louis College of Music as a sound engineer and MIDI programmer and later from the University of Ferrara as a technician specialised in acoustics. He has collaborated with numerous companies in the pro-audio sector as a technical consultant. Over the last 10 years, he has also concentrated on the acoustic design of loudspeaker systems. Calza has considerable experience in the live music field, working regularly on large events and national and international festivals. He states: “I consider every new venture as a steep path to be ‘climbed’ to achieve new goals. I hope to be able to offer my support and experience to Outline, its distributors and its clients worldwide, and manage to communicate them with
