Sergio Serrano is one of those charismatic and multi-skilled people whose lighting and video rental company, LED Project is one of a number of businesses run alongside his role as production manager of Café Tacuba, one of Mexico's most famous and popular bands. He also works closely as a show producer with Radio station MVS staging around 100 events a year.
Sergio first decided that LED Project should invest in Robe equipment in 2013, shortly after the Pointe was launched. He immediately saw big potential in the small size and multi-functionality of the unit for the Mexican rental market, where budgets are usually tight and all the kit has to be as versatile as possible
In two years, the Robe inventory has expanded to include 24 x Pointes, eight LEDWash 1200s, eight LEDBeam 1000s and 10 x BMFL Spots, which were also the first to be purchased in Mexico just after their launch in autumn 2014. He also has MiniMes and CycFX 8s. All the Robe elements have been delivered by Mexican distributor Vari Internacional whose sales team are extremely proactive.
The BMFLs were initially purchased to illuminate the Torre Latinoamericana in Mexico City last Christmas in 'shimmering gold' for a promotion by Italian chocolatiers Ferrero Rocher.
Café Tacuba's last full tour covered 44 dates in Mexico and the US, and LD Herman 'Tiffy' Castellanos used 68 Pointes, which were trucked along with the rest of the gear, from Mexico. Sergio first turned Tiffy on to Pointes - and he's worked with them ever since.
Currently the band is engaged in a 20-date festival tour utilising 32 Pointes as a floor specials package, together with some LEDBeam 1000s, another fixture that is fast becoming a favourite in Mexico.
"Robe is very well positioned in Mexico at the moment," observes Sergio, "The work that Vari has done and the fantastic back-up, support, product training and awareness sessions that they offer has really helped put the brand on the map."
Sergio's partner in LED Project is Jesus Guerro, a busy LD who also has his own company, Fade In, which has some Robes including Pointes, CycFX and LEDBeam 1000s. He started using Robe products in his designs two years ago and comments, "It's great being able to spec and source lots of different Robe fixtures in Mexico now - the more accessible they become, the more they will get specified."
(Jim Evans)
