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Fred Bentham Memorial Service

Details: 14 March 2016

Fred Bentham’s Memorial Service took place yesterday at the Palladium Theatre in London. Over 100 colleagues, friends and family members attended the Memorial Service, which was a celebration of the life of the man who many regard to be the founding father of the lighting industry. Roger Fox introduced a number of tributes to Fred from colleagues in the industry. Francis Reid talked about Fred’s insight into the art of theatre and its technical requirements, whilst Brian Legge and Alan Luxford of Strand recalled their time at Strand with Fred and his early involvement with the ABTT. Bob Anderson spoke of Fred’s impact on lighting at the BBC during the 1950s and his work on the Riverside Studios, whilst John Watt paid tribute to the man he felt had played a large part in designing the equipment most in the lighting industry grew up with. Richard Pilbrow reminded the audi

QSC Appoints Audio Design Liaison

Details: 14 March 2016

California-based pro audio manufacturer QSC Audio Products has appointed Duke Ducoff to the position of Audio Design Liaison. Based in Austin, Texas, Ducoff’s responsibilities include assisting consultants and contractors with specifying QSC’s expanding product line, including signal processing, signal transport, and audio network systems. Ducoff brings more than two decades of sales management and marketing experience to QSC, including over three years at White Instruments where he served as vice-president of sales and marketing, and 10 years at The Jones Sales Group in regional sales. Ducoff is also a long-time member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and the National Systems Contractor Association (NSCA), and has received a number of prestigious sales awards. Ducoff holds a bachelor’s degree in Radio/Television Production from the University of Houston.

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Ciddor Joins Show Technology

Details: 14 March 2016

This week Show Technology’s managing director Emmanuel Ziino made a major commitment to the rapidly growing area of architectural lighting by appointing Jonathan Ciddor as architectural products manager. Ciddor has been involved in the lighting business for over 30 years, the last 15 specializing in taking entertainment lighting to architectural and theming applications to create interesting lighting solutions. This wealth of knowledge will now be used to develop Show Technology’s position as one of the leaders in innovative architectural lighting in Australia.

Jonathan’s own experience on large scale architectural and theming projects is vast and he has worked on a wide range of projects. He is currently working on the permanent location of the Olympic Cauldron at Homebush Bay involving over 20 Clay Paky Goldenscans. The installation of this project is by Beyond Audi

Thommy Hall Joins Mobolazer

Details: 14 March 2016

Thommy Hall who has joined California-based Mobolazer to manage the sales department. Hall is well known throughout the lighting industry and was previously in New York City as northeast region sales manager for High End Systems. He also spent two years in Hawaii as sales manager for Hawaii Stage and Lighting and was also lighting director of the highly acclaimed production of Ulalena at the Maui Myth and Magic Theater.

Bob Schacherl Joins Vari-Lite Inc

Details: 14 March 2016

Vari-Lite Inc has announced that Bob Schacherl has joined the company as vice-president of sales and marketing. Schacherl will lead Vari-Lite's worldwide sales and marketing efforts for the new line of Vari*Lite luminaires and consoles. "We're excited to have Bob as part of the Vari-Lite team," said Clay Powers, president and chief operating officer at Vari-Lite. “Bob's knowledge and experience will be instrumental in helping us to achieve our goal of making Vari*Lite the preferred brand in automated lighting technology."

Schacherl joins Vari-Lite with over 20 years’ experience in the automated lighting and entertainment marketplace, and a successful track record in building effective worldwide sales organizations. He is a founder and former president of High End Systems, from which he resigned at the start of this year.

MCL London Adds Key Player

Details: 14 March 2016

David Plail has joined MCL London as head of project management, bringing with him 28 years of industry experience. David comes to MCL from FrameSet Products, a company that he founded over 10 years ago, dedicated to the design, build and supply of diverse conference staging products. "Some people may think it a strange decision," said Plail, "to move away from FrameSet when it is such a successful company. But MCL is a young company with incredible backing from Avesco and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss. In the end it was an easy choice to make. It puts me right back into the industry mainstream and will draw heavily on what I have learnt over the years. I am looking forward to the challenge."

In his new role, Plail will be drawing together all existing elements of project management at MCL London and will fine-tune current practices to ensure the

New Appointment at LeMark

Details: 14 March 2016

Rebecca Lace has joined LeMark Group as sales office manager, bringing with her multi-skill experience in bothelectronic and conventional marketing and sales. Rebecca will also head LeMarks’ continued expansion of custom-printed consumables into the North American and Canadian markets. Rebecca’s background has recently been within the Medical & Scientific equipment manufacturing sector, where she project-managed both the marketing and sales promotion of a new equipment range to clients throughout the world. A lover of theatre, film and music and in her ‘spare time’ she enjoys the practicality of DIY and Design. Stuart Gibbons, LeMark managing director said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have someone of Rebecca’s calibre and professionalism join the team. Expanding LeMark into the US market has been a big challenge for us all. I feel confident that with

Heine Olsen Joins Mach

Details: 14 March 2016

Mach Speakers has hired Heine Olsen as product manager. Martin Professional made the decision to reinforce its audio division as a result of steady growth over the past few years. Olsen comes to Mach from TC Electronics, and in addition to his skills in marketing, he also has a broad knowledge of digital technologies and their applications. Mach's current and long-time product manager, Hans Madsen, will assume the role of business development manager.

Zero 88 Expands in Germany

Details: 14 March 2016

As part of its ongoing process of maintaining customer service and expanding the field sales team, Zero 88 appointed a new German Market Manager on 1 July. Joining Zero from LMP Lichttechnik, and based in Osnabruck, Franck Tiesing brings considerable experience in the German lighting market. His most recent role was as sales manager responsible for Zero 88 products at LMP Lichttechnik, where he gained an in-depth working knowledge of the product range and its application. Responsible for managing the Zero 88 dealer network in Germany, Franck will also work closely with users of Zero 88 product to provide ongoing training and technical support.

Adam Hall Promotes Frampton

Details: 14 March 2016

Adam Hall has announced the promotion of Carol Frampton to the position of sales office manager. She has been a key player in the Adam Hall team since 1990 and will already be well known to most of its customers both overseas and in the UK.

Weber Departs Entec

Details: 14 March 2016

Paul Weber has resigned as a director of Entec Sound & Light in order to concentrate on his lighting design and production management work. However, he maintains his connection with the company in a consultative capacity. The Entec lighting division will continue to be run by Noreen O’Riordan and Adam Stevenson whilst the sound division is managed by Dick Hayes and Roy Smith. Dick Collins takes care of administration and accounts.

Ross Retires from ARRI GB

Details: 14 March 2016

It’s now three years since Derrick Ross announced his intention to retire as chief executive of ARRI GB. In characteristic style, it wasn’t an impulsive decision, nor as it turned out, a quick departure. His on-going state of semi-retirement was only finally made official on 31st May.

Derrick Ross’s loyalty to the company has been evident since he first set up ARRI’s UK subsidiary in 1983. At that time, the German-owned company was looking to develop a market presence in lighting and film laboratory equipment to complement its highly successful sales of movie cameras. Ross, then marketing director of Rank Strand, was targeted for the job and he was quick to take up the challenge of competing with his old employer for a leading position in the market. He took his PA, Barbara Gould, with him and colleague Paul Wild was appointed lighting sales director.

Under R

Zero 88’s New Faces and Changes

Details: 14 March 2016

In a continual effort to improve its service to dealers and end users, Zero 88 has appointed Silvio Scerri as Mediterranean market manager. Silvio joins Zero 88 from Nexos Lighting in Malta where he has been responsible for Zero 88 product sales for the past four years. Fluent in regional languages and with an in-depth knowledge of the Southern European lighting market, he will bring a new focus to Zero 88’s presence in the Mediterranean region.

Another new face is Catherine Thomas, who joins Zero 88 at its Cwmbran base as a sales coordinator. Catherine has a background in customer service and is fluent in French. Joining her as a sales coordinator is Bev Jones who many will already know from her past role as Zero’s receptionist. Following a period of training, Catherine and Bev will take over as the sales co-ordination team for Zero 88 and Selecon UK. This will enable Lor

New President for Crown Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

Blake W. Augsburger has been appointed president of Crown Audio. The announcement came from Mark Terry, Harman Professional Group president. Reporting to Terry, Augsburger is responsible for overseeing and directing the entire Crown Audio operation. The manufacturer's three vice-presidents (engineering, marketing and sales) and three senior vice-presidents (financial, manufacturing and human resources) all now report directly to Augsburger.

Prior to joining Crown, Augsburger was vice-president and general manager for two high voltage test and measurement equipment manufacturers - Hipotronics of Brewster, New York and Haefely Test AG of Basel, Switzerland - both Hubbell Incorporated companies. His seven-year tenure with Hubbell, which also included VP positions in engineering, operations and worldwide sales and marketing, was preceded by five years spent with San Diego's Maxwell Laborat

Joe Cabrera Rejoins AC Lighting Inc

Details: 14 March 2016

Joe Cabrera, who spent the summer of 2000 as an intern at AC Lighting Inc in Los Angeles, has now joined the company full time. Joe will be working alongside Mario Collazo and Mike Falconer on technical support and training on the company’s range of high technology products, such as the MA Lighting grandMA range, Zero 88 and Jands lighting control consoles. Joe is a recent graduate from the Florida State University School of Theatre where he received bachelors in Theater. When he was not acting on stage, Joe could be found behind the console of many a show throughout his High School and College careers. One of his first tasks was to get involved with AC Lighting's ongoing program of operator training on the grandMA range of consoles. Joe has also been testing the new Version 2.6 software for the grandMA console as part of MA Lighting's strict and intensive testing program of all be

New Addition at Telex EVI Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

Telex EVI Germany has appointed Christian Greß to the position of export sales assistant. His responsibilities include sales and customer support for all the Telex brands in west and eastern Europe, African and the Middle East. Greß joins Telex EVI with a wealth of experience in the pro audio field having spent the last five years as a professional sound technician. His extensive product knowledge combined with the fact of being a musicianhimself, makes him a valuable resource for Telex EVI and their customers.

Tomcat Extends US Sales Team

Details: 14 March 2016

Tomcat has recruited two new members to its US sales team. Trent Stoker will be handling the South East region and Mike Regan will be handling the North East region of the United States. Stoker, originally from El Paso, attended the University of Texas in Austin obtaining a BS in Advertising. He previously served as sales rep for a software company, Vignette. Regan, residing in Evergreen, Colorado for the past few years, has been in the industry for over 30 years touring with dozens of bands. He also spent time with FM Productions, Feld Entertainment and worked as a grip for Miami Vice. More recently, he owned his own company, Regan Design Associates, and traveled all over the world coordinating events and productions.

New VP For Strong

Details: 14 March 2016

Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc, a leading manufacturer of motion picture projection and speciality lighting equipment, has announced the appointment of Greg Smith as vice-president of Strong Entertainment Lighting. Smith, who has worked for Ballantyne for three years, will continue to be based in North Hollywood, California, and will be responsible for the Strong spotlight products, Ballantyne’s SkyTracker and Nocturn products, as well as the Xenotech Britelight products. The company has also announced that Ron Lutsock will head up the company’s North Hollywood Xenotech office.

Smith first came into contact with Strong spotlights during his time as logistic sdirector for Supertramp and other artists during the 1980s. He began his career in the promotion and marketing department of A&M Records in Hollywood.

Love Goes to HELL

Details: 14 March 2016

Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd (HELL) has announced the appointment of Nigel Love to its Sussex-based team. Love brings with him many years of theatrical experience, having worked for several years as chief electrician with the English National Opera, and as head of lighting and later production controller for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s operations at the Barbican. More recently, he has worked with Northern Light where, among other projects, he project managed the lighting, sound and comms installations at the Lowry.

Philip Hart Takes Over the Chair at Turbosound

Details: 14 March 2016

Philip Hart, president of Harman Pro Group International until December 31 last year, has joined Turbosound as non-executive chairman. He replaces Michael O’Flynn, who retired on July 17, but who retains his directorship and shareholding in the Sussex-based loudspeaker company.

Commenting on the new appointment, Turbosound's managing director, Alan Wick, told PLASA Media: "We are pleased to be able to fill the breach left by Michael’s departure with a man of Philip Hart’s stature, and experience in pro audio.This is a very well-timed move which will further expedite our growth and enable us to fulfil our potential in the competitive loudspeaker market. We had been working with 3i, our major investors, to find a suitable replacement and Philip’s name really stood out.

"Michael O’Flynn’s association with Turbosound extends back to 1984 and

Unitek Pursues Expansion Strategy

Details: 14 March 2016

Following successful sales of its Megascreen product into the screen rental and advertising markets, Unitek is planning major investment in further product development, marketing and the appointment of strategic partners in its key market areas.

To strengthen and advise the Board, Philip Parker, an experienced quoted company chairman and CEO, joins Unitek as a non-executive director. Parker has a broad business background in sectors as varied as IT, electronics, training, financial services, security, oil services and consulting. He has led public and private enterprises, been involved in both venture capital and public equity fund raising and is experienced in corporate strategy, restructuring and focusing on shareholder value.

After graduating from Cambridge with a law degree he worked for 15 years in the computer industry - initially with IBM and then Sperry Univac, for the mos

Sennheiser Promotes Alexander

Details: 14 March 2016

Sennheiser Electronics Corporation (SEC) has promoted Jeff Alexander to director of distributed brands. In the newly created position, Alexander adds Neumann and True Systems to the Sennheiser brands he is already managing: DAS, Chevin, and Innova-Son. By picking up the former two brands, Alexander fills a void left by the recent promotion of Karl Winkler, who is now director of marketing communications.

Alexander began his career at SEC nearly 10 years ago as the product manager for Neumann. After five years in this position, he left the company to work as the touring sound sales manager and marketing manager for Crest Audio in New Jersey. Upon his return to Sennheiser, Alexander focused on DAS, Chevin, and Innova-Son, in an effort to pioneer these lines into the US. He now has the responsibility of developing a complete organizational structure that plays to the strengths of Sennheis

Kern Joins TMB

Details: 14 March 2016

Kurt Kern has joined TMB’s sales department, working out of the New York office. Kern brings a wealth of experience in entertainment lighting to his new position. His background includes three years as department head of electrics and sound for the New York Shakespeare Festival and seven years as production manager for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, his four years as national director of purchasing for PRG/Fourth Phase Lighting Group, gave Kurt direct understanding of the needs of the supply side of the industry. Tommy Stephenson, TMB’s sales manager, said of the appointment: "Kurt has a lot of knowledge, is a family man, and he likes beer. He’s going to fit right in! Our professional customers will feel completely at home with him."

Ward Becomes a Bandit

Details: 14 March 2016

Chad Ward has joined Bandit Lites UK as operations manager. He was previously responsible for Bandit’s account whilst he was a sales representative for Wirral-based Tomcat UK. Bandit Lites UK general manager, Jason Tang, told PLASA Media: "Chad brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time with Tomcat and previously Unusual Rigging. We have a very strong relationship with Tomcat and this move can only strengthen it." Ward will be responsible for procurement, logistics and also act as purchasing manager.

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