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Hands-on Appointment for beyerdynamic

Details: 14 March 2016

beyerdynamic has appointed Matthew Nettlefold to its technical sales team. Formerly a sales representative with an active interest in the music industry, Nettlefold spends his spare time working in the project studio he built and installed in his home, and is currently putting the new XTA SIDD Dynamics processor though its paces.

Paul Smith Joins ET

Details: 14 March 2016

DJ equipment manufacturer Entertainment Technology, part of the Leaf Group, has announced a new appointment to its team, with Paul Smith joining as product/sales manager for the Titan DJ brand. Smith previously worked with Sapphires Retail.

Essential Directors

Details: 14 March 2016

Essential Lighting has appointed Peter Feeney, Toby Hughes and Martin Lubach to its board of directors. This recognises the long standing commitment and contribution they have made to the business and will add a broader base of experience for the future development of the company. At the same time Simon Clench will be joining Essential as production electrician to provide support and a resident client link for its project managers.

Fourth Phase on the Move

Details: 14 March 2016

Fourth Phase, the newly branded lighting arm of Production Resource Group (PRG) has announced a number of staff changes and office relocations. Jeff Senkovich was recently appointed chief operating officer of the PRG Lighting/Audio Group. He has been with PRG since 1997, joining the company as south east regional manager. Industry veteran Martee Nuruddin, previously general manager of Fourth Phase Orlando (Vanco), is now a group vice-president of Fourth Phase, responsible for the rental sales and operations of Fourth Phase New Jersey (Production Arts), Fourth Phase Orlando, Fourth Phase Las Vegas (Cinema Services) and Fourth Phase Burbank (Production Lighting Systems. Mark Rabinowitz, formerly the Orlando operations manager, has been appointed general manager of Fourth Phase Orlando. John Monaco, meanwhile, has come on board as vice-president of operations at the Las Vegas location with

Signing up for Autograph

Details: 14 March 2016

Autograph Sound Recording has announced the promotion of Andy Brown to operations manager, a role that will engage him in leading the company's established sound rental business into a new era. His new role will involve liaising with the in-house sound designers, production sound engineers and hire department. Further to Brown's appointment, two new production sound engineers - Alex Apthorpe and Ken Hampton - will be joining the Autograph team. Apthorpe has spent three years working in the sound department at the National Theatre and will look after Autograph's audio software library and installations whilst Hampton will be bringing with him excellent sound engineering skills particularly in the specialist field of large-scale theatrical touring production. Chairman Andrew Bruce has also signalled Autograph’s intention next year to strengthen the team further with additional engine

Signing up for Autograph

Details: 14 March 2016

Autograph Sound Recording has announced the promotion of Andy Brown to operations manager, a role that will engage him in leading the company's established sound rental business into a new era. His new role will involve liaising with the in-house sound designers, production sound engineers and hire department. Further to Brown's appointment, two new production sound engineers - Alex Apthorpe and Ken Hampton - will be joining the Autograph team. Apthorpe has spent three years working in the sound department at the National Theatre and will look after Autograph's audio software library and installations whilst Hampton will be bringing with him excellent sound engineering skills particularly in the specialist field of large-scale theatrical touring production. Chairman Andrew Bruce has also signalled Autograph's intention next year to strengthen the team further with additional engineering

Essential Board Appointments

Details: 14 March 2016

Essential Lighting has appointed Peter Feeney, Toby Hughes and Martin Lubach (pictured) to its board of directors. This appointment recognises the long-standing commitment and contribution they have made to the business, and will add a broader base of experience to the board for the future development of the company. At the same time, Simon Clench will be joining Essential as production electrician to provide support and a resident client link for the company’s project managers.

Colin Brooker Joins VLPS

Details: 14 March 2016

Vari-Lite Production Services has appointed Colin Brooker as regional sales manager. This is a highly significant role as the roll-out of the new Vari*Lite sales luminaires makes its impact felt on the European marketplace. Since joining the industry in 1992, Brooker has worked in numerous lighting production roles at venues including the London Palladium, the Theatre Royal Haymarket and the Shaftesbury Theatre, followed by years ‘on the road’ as lighting technician and board operator for a number of bands including Garth Brooks, Wet Wet Wet, Spice Girls, Finlay Quaye, Beautiful South and Simply Red. He also has wide TV experience, having worked on TV shows such as the MTV Awards, Miss World, Lord of the Dance and TFI Friday. Brooker will be working closely with Simon Roose, European dealer manager.

ARX Releases New CD-ROM

Details: 14 March 2016

ARX Releases New CD-ROMARX Systems, the Australia-based manufacturer of Professional Audio Products announces the release of the new updated ARX CD-ROM V4.0. Included are full details of new ARX products including the SPL range of powered loudspeakers, the e-Pre, climate weatherproof loudspeakers, ZA multi-channel amplifiers, Mix 8 stereo line mixer, Level 8 audio balancer, updated technical information and new product reviews. To obtain a copy, register online at www.arx.com.au/CD_ROM_form.htm or send your mailing address to us at email: info@arx.com.au, fax: +61 3 9555 6747.

Strand Appoints New CEO

Details: 14 March 2016

The Strand Board has appointed Phil O'Donnell as CEO of Strand Lighting. O’Donnell has been with the company for 22 years and during this time has held several positions, including managing director of Strand Asia and President of Strand Lighting Inc. For the past two years he has been running global sales and has been a member of the main board. As part of his executive team, he has appointed Peter Rogers to the position of global sales and marketing director and Bill Campbell to the position of managing director for all European operations. This executive team will take over the day to day running of the company and Jim Ryan will remain on the Strand board as a major shareholder.

Covenant for Navigator US

Details: 14 March 2016

Navigator Systems’ US Division has appointed Ray as Technical Director. Covenant has many years’ experience in the entertainment industry, particularly in the field of information systems. Covenant will oversee technical support for the hundreds of companies in North America currently using HireTrack Eclipse. He will also be involved in the implementation of a new application service where companies will have the option to rent software instead of purchasing new software. The users will connect to Navigator Systems server farms via the internet and run HireTrack Eclipse. Greg Smith, president of Navigator Systems US, commented, "I am so excited that Ray has joined our team. He brings many years experience working with entertainment companies and their software systems."

Arup Acoustics Appoints Waters

Details: 14 March 2016

Arup Acoustics has announced the appointment of Colin Waters C Eng MRAeS FIOA, as its head of environmental acoustics, to be based in Cambridge, UK. Waters will build on his considerable expertise in expanding the Arup team that carries out specialist disciplines in the practice of noise assessment and control in the planning context, working from offices in Cambridge, London, Manchester and Winchester. Waters’ experience includes over 30 years in the field of acoustics, including more than 20 years as the principal of Colin Waters Associates.

Chris Kimsey is Sphere’s First Tenant

Details: 14 March 2016

Internationally acclaimed producer Chris Kimsey is moving to Sphere Studios where he is setting up a digital project studio in one of the facility’s six new White Rooms. Best known for his classic work with the Rolling Stones, Kimsey has produced albums for a wide variety of artists including Johnny Hallyday, Killing Joke, Ash, The Chieftains, Soul Asylum and INXS. Currently under construction in Battersea, South London, Sphere is set to rival London’s finest studios when it officially opens as a fully commercial three-studio facility in 2001. The complex will incorporate three main control rooms dedicated to track-laying, stereo mixing and 5.1 surround mixing, plus the six White Rooms that are available for hire by artists and independent producers.

New Pro Audio Sales Manager for JHS

Details: 14 March 2016

In order to reinforce HK Audio’s rapidly-accelerating reputation in the UK and Eire, HK Audio distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co has appointed Neville Raine as its new HK Audio specialist. Raine has worked for JHS previously, from 1988 to 1991, completing his time as a sales office manager. More recently, he has had managerial experience with Wharfedale and Fane Acoustics and, latterly, was sales manager for loudspeaker cabinet makers, Leech Manufacturing.

New Appointments at Telex Inc

Details: 14 March 2016

Telex Communications Inc has announced several new personnel appointments within the speaker and microphone division of its Telex Pro Audio Group. Mike O’Neill has been named vice-president and general manager for speakers worldwide and for amplifiers in the US, with responsibility for all sales, marketing and development of these products. Previously vice-president of research and development, O’Neill brings more than 25 years of experience to the role of shaping the company’s future market strategies.Joel Johnson, previously product category manager for Telex and EV wireless microphones, now fills the role of general manager for wired and wireless microphones worldwide. Representing another growing area for Telex, Ralph Strader moves up to the position of vice-president and general manager, worldwide, for intercoms. In sales, Tom has been promoted to vice-president of

Hughes Wants to be a Millionaire

Details: 14 March 2016

Some of our UK visitors from the lighting industry may have spotted a familiar face last night on ITV’s 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' for the third contestant to take to the hotseat on the hour-long show was none other than ShowCAD’s Rowland Hughes. Asked by Chris Tarrant what he did for a living, Hughes replied: 'Make lighting control systems for the kind of lighting you’ve got in here. It goes mostly into nightclubs, theatres, theme parks.' Tarrant then asked him what he thought of the studio lighting, to which he replied: 'I couldn’t possibly comment.'Persuaded by his family to enter for the show because he could 'win them a fortune', Hughes certainly didn’t let them down, coolly making it up to £64,000 before the show’s end. He returns on Saturday’s programme to go for the £125,000 question . . . and he can still phone a friend. Best of

New Director of Business Development for Tannoy

Details: 14 March 2016

Tannoy has promoted Richard Gainsborough to the position of Director of Business Development, where he will be responsible for the expansion of products to provide complete system solutions, incorporating new technologies into the company’s product ranges and establishing and integrating the company’s strategies of vertical market development within existing and new distribution. Gainsborough joined Tannoy in 1990 as export sales manager and was appointed business development manager two years ago, successfully pioneering the concept of focussed business development within the company.

Hughes Falls on Grey Area

Details: 14 March 2016

Further to our news on Friday of Rowland Hughes’ heroic achievement of the £64,000 question on ITV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, we can now report that the ShowCAD man still has £64,000. When faced with the question ‘What official post was held by Earl Grey, after whom the variety of tea was named?’, Hughes decided discretion was the better part of valour, and chose not to take the chance, although he later said he knew the answer, referring to himself as ‘a pratt’. That’s easy to say in hindsight, but being on the spot is a different pot of tea altogether . . . well done, Rowland.

New Copyroom Engineer for FX

Details: 14 March 2016

FX Group has appointed Pascale Giovetto, who has joined the FX Copyroom as an engineer. Formerly with Heathman’s Mastering (Tape to Tape), where she was responsible for the company’s copying facilities, Giovetto has extensive experience of the pro audio business and will work alongside FX Copyroom’s manager, Kevin Vanbergen, handling format transfers.

QSC Appoints Jim Skiathitis

Details: 14 March 2016

QSC Audio has appointed Jim (Ski) Skiathitis to the position of Systems Specialist for the QSC Pro Touring division. Skiathitis’ responsibilities include product training and demonstration, along with technical support. He will also be actively involved in the design and integration aspects of professional touring systems. An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in the touring sound and recording industries, Ski has worked as a sound engineer for a variety of acts from Smokey Robinson to Joe Cocker as well as a freelance recording engineer. Prior to joining QSC, Ski served as manager for Sonics Pro Audio and as technical supervisor with Foxwoods Resort Casino in their entertainment division.

Autograph Hosts Singapore Sound Man

Details: 14 March 2016

Autograph Sound Recording is playing host to Jeffrey Yue from 'Esplanade - Theatre on the Bay' Singapore, while he completes a four-year educational exploration of the UK. During his stay at Autograph, he will learn the intricacies and technicalities of theatrical sound design, equipment rental and installation. Yue has so far completed three years at the Guildhall School of Music attaining a Degree in Technical Theatre Studies. He is now finishing off his final year in the UK, by gaining essential work experience with Autograph, before joining the sound department of a UK arts venue. He returns to Singapore's 'Esplanade - Theatre on the Bay' next summer, to take up his post as one of three technical officers.

Berreen Joins Fisher

Details: 14 March 2016

Ken Berreen has recently joined Fisher Productions as a lighting project manager/Health & Safety Officer. He previously worked at the Dome as technical manager for Pro-Design Ltd, where he was responsible for assisting the NMEC Lighting Dept in ensuring that all stage lighting was in place and working in time for the Dome's launch on New Year's Eve 1999. Prior to this he was the lighting designer for the 1998 production of John Godber’s ‘Bouncers’ at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and also spent four years as pantomime lighting designer for the Harlequin Theatre. During this time he was also responsible for the electrical and sound layout specification of the Harlequin Cinema which opened in September 1997.

Peter Barnett Dies, Age 56

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA Publishing has learnt of the death of Peter Barnett at the age of 56. Peter, who had a heart problem and had undergone a major bypass operation some 10 years ago, had a heart attack yesterday whilst at the wheel of his car. Peter was a partner in the firm AMS Acoustics, having practised as a consultant for over 30 years. He was involved in most aspects of acoustics, electroacoustics and PA design. During his career he had been involved in some major installations and was respected throughout the industry for his audio consultancy work. He has published over 100 papers and articles on many aspects of acoustics and has been an active member of various professional associations.

New Marketing Executive for Andolite

Details: 14 March 2016

Panel, power distribution and lighting bar manufacturer Andolite has appointed Mick Staplehurst as marketing executive. His role will be to develop and market an extended range of products for touring, events and conferences, an area in which he has had many years experience with SSE, Britannia Row and others.

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