General

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14 March 2016

Robinson joined AMG in 2002. "Academy Events is a forward thinking division of AMG, we create strong ties with local and national promoters and a close link with the bands and artists for a quality of service at our shows and events," says Robinson. "We are also concentrating on developing a strong event production department working with our client partners Carling, Virgin Mobile and Xfm, amongst other leading brands.

AMG also works closely with Arts Council England to develop initiatives and strategies that enable the public and commercial sectors to work together, for the benefit of unsigned talent, new and established

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14 March 2016

According to Parker, "This is an exciting time for the university. Johnny Carson gifted over $9 million for the renovation and expansion of the theatre and film programmes. Of that, $1 million is set aside as an endowment specifically dedicated towards keeping film, lighting and sound technology current."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

In the September issue of Lighting&Sound International magazine, we will look at the problem, speaking to leading manufacturers about their experiences, and to leading Intellectual Property advisers, trade show organizers and industry bodies about what, if anything, can be done to combat it. How do we stop importers from selling on copied product? How do we educate end-users about the pitfalls of using cheap c

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14 March 2016

Color Kinetics has achieved over 15,000 installations worldwide with its LED lighting technology, and has famously amassed a powerful patent portfolio encompassing 71 issued patents to date. The company licenses its technology throughout the lighting industry, and has worked alongside government agencies to promote the advancement of LED lighting as the best long-term choice for energy efficiency. "The acquisition by Philips will dramatically fortify the combined company's reach and efforts to make its technology the de facto platform for intelligent L

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14 March 2016

"Our research shows over a third of UK sound equipment companies are in more debt than they have been at any time in their history," says David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll. "Rising rates are a useful wake-up call. Many of the companies in question have been enticed by low interest rates and the lure of easy debt secured on rapidly rising property prices, and so have been able to cover up flaws in their business strategies - effectively buying time. There is just enough time left for these firms to look seriously at their balance sheets and change direction."

If companies reduce their level of debt and streamline their business models, they may have a future, according to Plimsoll. But if they ig

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14 March 2016

Every special day is of the young person's choosing - it could involve fulfilling a lifelong dream or it could simply offer an opportunity to bring some much-needed normality back into their lives. The Foundation will endeavour to fulfil the special day request however imaginative and, if possible, exceed expectations.

To date the charity has organised and funded special days for young adults living with a wide range of serious conditions including amongst others; cancer, motor neurone dise

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14 March 2016

Show Support Limited, the Bromsgrove based AV rental business (a former Mice Group plc company) was placed into Administration on Tuesday 19 June 2007 (partners in the professional services firm Grant Thornton UK LLP were appointed Administrators). The business, its trading name and assets have been acquired by XL Video Limited the UK arm of XL Holding BVBA for an undisclosed sum.

Chris Mounsor XL Video Joint MD commented, "We have worked closely with Show Support over the last few years and we believe with our support this business and its people will make a valuable contribution to our UK growth strategy."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The merger creates one of Europe's larger media corporations with a combined turnover of 80 euros and a specialist workforce of 230 employees. A management statement declares, "With operations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and the UK, the MediaTec Group will have an immediate pan-European presence, supplying equipment and personnel to customers and events worldwide. The new company has a clearly defined strategy that puts the focus on growth, both organic and through strategic acquisition.

"The media technology industry is undergoing swift development in a number of areas, not least through major out sourcing activities. The growth potential within the sports, entertainment and event i

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14 March 2016

"LightWild's ability to deliver complete LED solutions from controls to fixtures has been very well received by light designers and architects and is expected to be an exciting addition to the Nexxus Lighting family," said Mike Bauer, president and CEO of Nexxus Lighting. "Our goal is to provide the team at LightWild with the support they need to accelerate their expansion into the architectural lighting market with their uniqu

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14 March 2016

CEO Christian Heil comments: "This double appointment directly reflects our current strategy. We have initiated a process of strengthening L-Acoustics' technical support on three levels."First, we wish to reinforce technical support to both end-users and independent sound designers (consultants and mixing engineers). Second, increase and fluidify the technical feedback from the field to R&D to improve product design. And last but not least, create a research group - a sort of 'educational think tank' to develop new approaches to teaching sound design and product implementation."

Alain Courieux boasts more than 30 year experience in activities ranging from recording studio and live sound engineering to

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14 March 2016

Charles Uzzell, council business manager for planning and environment, said: "The extra numbers seem to have been effectively managed. We will be reviewing this post event with the organisers but we certainly have no significant concerns at this stage.

"We have noticed however that many of the camp sites were very full so this is something we may need to pick up on after the festival. The ground conditions have clearly been testing but we have been working with the organisers to ensure that this doesn't affect the management."

He added, "For us the most significant breach

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14 March 2016

The Cork Opera House has recently used Stage Electrics' expertise to train its staff and now will be hosting the open courses at the end of August.

Course schedules include: Moving Light Masterclass and Advanced Strand Desk Programming. The Cork Opera House is also the first venue to host the newly developed Stage Flying & Rigging course. This course covers counterweight flying, single & double purchase, traditional hemp flying and rope craft together with LOLER principles and legislation, rigging, truss and motors.

Sara Alarabi, training manager for Stage Electrics, says: "I am delighted that we are expanding beyond the UK and are now running our popular technical th

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14 March 2016

As an Association, the ABTT is supporting current national initiatives for training and participating in the consultative process with Creative & Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music, Performing, Literary and Visual Arts.

With recent stories in the press of a predicted shortfall of trained technicians in the future, the ABTT sees this book as "the perfect tool to encourage and inspire a new generation to enter the profession. It will also help those already working in the industry to identify how they will continue their professional development."

The Performing Art

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14 March 2016

A spokesman for the band said they were "deeply saddened" to hear the news. "Their heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery go out to the injured and their profound sympathies to the deceased," he continued.

According to local police, three of the workers fell 10m (33ft) from a metal structure and landed on a fourth. The deceased workers were said to be 38 and 44 years of age. One was an employee of the Belgium-based staging company Stage Co, while the other was a local contractor.

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Instigated by Kirsten Eicher and operating from an office and small workshop storing and dispatching a small product range, Look Solutions soon found it necessary to move into its own large premises in Ronnenberg. Now, with distributors in 31 countries and a subsidiary in the US, Look Solutions is a truly global company.

"Our product range is very different from the small beginnings of ten years ago," explains Eicher. "We now produce machines which will cover all aspects of the market from the Viper range of fog generators to the Unique 2 hazer with its quick warm up time, the adjustable output and the very low fluid consumption.

"We have machines for specialised uses like the massive 9kW-g

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14 March 2016

In less than a decade, Adamson Systems has grown from a "family run" business occupying a modest rented location, to a successful international brand manufacturing in its own 37,000sq.ft factory. The days of Brock Adamson and his son Jesse managing the company with the aid of only few office staff are becoming distant memory. Increased marketing and product support has resulted in the creation of more senior positions.

Adam MacGillivray, as sales and support and European liaison, is the main contact for new worldwide factory direct sales and handles support related matters with European support addition Jochen Sommer, who is currently supporting Linkin Park's Europ

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14 March 2016

Named in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, the industry innovator and commentator who passed away in 2006, the Gottelier Award is aimed at those members of our industry who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field.

Once the deadline for nominations passes this Friday (13 July), a shortlist will be drawn up of the most widely nominated people, and their names will be put forward, along with a brief summary of their achievements, to the Gotte

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14 March 2016

With his partner Noreen O'Riordan, director of the lighting department at Entec Sound & Light, John was father to two young sons - Kieran, aged 9, and Thomas, aged 6.

Among his many clients as a freelance engineer were George Michael, David Gilmour, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Macy Gray, Annie Lennox, Christina Aguilera, The Pretenders, Phil Collins, Ozzy Osbourne, Luther Vandross, Sting, Sinead O'Connor, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

In his early career, working mainly with Entec and Tasco, he laid the foundations of his skills working with bands including The Stranglers, Thomas Do

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14 March 2016

Wiedenbeck's 30-plus years in professional audio started at Harman Deutschland in the mid-seventies, and have included high-level positions at Studiosound + Music GmbH, Plus Audio, Lawo and Klein + Hummel. Wiedenbeck spent the last four years as an independent audio consultant with a particular focus on studio monitoring, stage control systems, and digital mixing consoles.

"Chris has experience in sales, marketing, customer support, engineering, and communications, all of which have built him a great reputation and earned him a lot of respect within the industry," says Meyer Sound Germany managing director Jim Sides. "We could not have found s

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14 March 2016

The restructure, one of the key items on a packed agenda, was voted in on a show of hands by an overwhelming proportion of the record number of members who attended the AGM at the Hurlingham Club in London on 6 June.

The restructure, which is designed to ensure that PLASA represents the highest possible professional standards, will also provide a framework that better reflects the industry. As such, the existing nine categories of membership have been simplified to just four - Business, Educational, Individual and Affiliate. PLASA is now working on the fine detail behind the restructure and the new scheme will be officially launche

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14 March 2016

Prior to joining Vari-Lite, Kibbe was the national sales manager for Rosco Laboratories. He has also served as a project consultant with Theatre Projects Consultants, as well as a regional sales manager for Strand Lighting.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The show was halted after just six scenes on its opening night for about 10 minutes due to "technical difficulties", the audience was told. Fans were left waiting while the problem was sorted - thought to be an issue with the rotating floor.

It was not the first occasion in recent times that a technical issue has hit a high profile West End production - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang also had difficulties in its early shows. And a West End preview performance of the Lord of The Rings musical had to be cancelled earlier this year when actor Adam Salter broke his leg after getting it trapped in set machinery.

Despite the first half hiccup, it was a standing ovation for t

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14 March 2016

"We will also create the first centre for new energy technology in the arts. It will be a knowledge incubator with dedicated workspace where engineers can develop initiatives to tackle climate change. Arcola Energy will be a hub for new thinking and cross-fertilisation between art and science, bringing together artistic, entrepreneurial and technological creativity.

"As a theatre we have a longstanding tradition of innovation, inspiration and deep integration with the local community. Working to the same principles, Arcola Energy will integrate

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14 March 2016

Named in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, the industry innovator and commentator who passed away in 2006, the Gottelier Award is aimed at those members of our industry who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field.

Following a six-week period of gathering nominations from across the industry, the shortlist of leading nominees can now be revealed, ready for the voting process to begin.

The nominees are as follows (in alphabetical order):

• Tony Andrews is a highly regarded designer and manufacturer of high quality point source loudspeaker systems, w