USA - Crown Audio today has announced changes in its senior management team. New leaders have been added as "the company implements continual improvement initiatives in fundamental disciplines including sales, operations and general management".

John Fitzgerald, vice president of programme management at Harman Professional, will take the additional position of general manager for Harman's Elkhart, IN based Amplifier Business Unit and will be responsible for all aspects of Crown Audio's business.

John Batliner, vice president of sales for Harman's High Performance Audio Video group, will assume additional responsibilities as vice president of sales for Crown Audio and Matt Bush, previously director of sales for Crown Audio is appointed senior director of operations for Crown Audio.

According to Rob Urry, vice president of Harman Professional's Amplifier and Processi

USA - Harman Professional has named Mark Posgay as sales director for the United States. Posgay will be based out of Harman Professional's Elkhart, Indiana Sales & Support Centre and will report to Scott Robbins, vice-president of sales.

"Our moves to consolidate sales operations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Potters Bar, UK have paid a strong dividend in terms of effectiveness and efficiency," Robbins said yesterday. "Having Mark Posgay onboard to lead the Elkhart-based national sales team promises equally strong results from our new US sales operation.

"Mark's strong track record of sales success, coupled with his deep commitment to innovation and education, means our customers can look forward to a more responsive, effective Harman. Our sales partners can expect strong leadership and effective toolsets and our operations and suppo

USA - David Taylor, the theatre consultant and lighting designer, died in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday, January 17. He was 48. He died falling from the 14th floor of the Howard Plaza Hotel. Early newspaper reports suggested that the death was a suicide; however, updated reports indicate that the police have refused to speculate on the cause of death. A full police report is said to be pending.

A popular, well-connected, and highly involved member of the industry, Taylor was born in London. He studied theatre aesthetics at the University of London, followed by attendance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and graduate studies at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Taylor spent 21 years at Theatre Projects Consultants where he was involved in a number of acclaimed and high-profile projects, including the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, New Amsterdam Theatre in New York, Hyper

UK - Pearce Hire has continued to expand its dry hire operations into 2011 with the appointment of a dedicated hire manager.

"Jim Brown will be responsible for dealing with the requirements of Pearce's increasing dry hire customer base, delivering them to the highest standards," says managing director Shaun Pearce.

"The company has invested in a significant range of lighting, power distribution and audio equipment and Jim will manage our continually expanding inventory, ensuring optimum service levels through efficient stock control and ongoing maintenance and testing at the company's Peterborough HQ."

After years of touring as an audio freelancer, Brown began working with Pearce Hire in 2010.

Other advances shaping Pearce Hire's start to 2011 see Dan Shelton promoted to become head of operations, while Daniel Stratton has been promoted to company elect

UK - Media Powerhouse has appointed James Loveless to head up its audio division. Loveless has worked in audio since the late 90's. The extensive list of projects he has managed range from Scrum on the Beach to a G4 Security Conference for the 2012 Olympics. Prior to joining Media Powerhouse, Loveless was a project manager at Dimension Audio and before that was head of engineering at Orbital Sound.

Michael Breen, Chief Executive Officer at Media Powerhouse says, "We have invested significantly in audio equipment and James's appointment continues our strategy of employing forward looking experts in their field, in order to deliver technically excellent events - kit without the right, exceptional people to operate it equates to limited use."

James Loveless adds, "The fact that Media Powerhouse continues to invest in its people and purchase the latest equipm

Europe - With the new firmware update for its wireless monitoring systems, Sennheiser now offers engineer mode. With this function, monitor engineers can listen to the various mixes for a band with their bodypack receiver and, if necessary, make quick changes on the mixing desk. The update for the evolution wireless ew 300 IEM G3 and 2000 IEM systems can now be downloaded free of charge from the Sennheiser website.

The engineer mode gives sound engineers more control options - they can now hear the monitor mix exactly how the artists on stage are hearing it and quickly react if during a live performance corrections need to be made to the mix, for example if the guitar signal is too quiet for the bassist.

When in engineer mode, the settings of the musicians' receivers can be transferred via the infra-red interface to the monitor engineer's receiver. Separate information regardi

USA - Analog Way has announced the promotion of Alexander Schöpff to the position of VP of American Operations.

As of 1 March 2011, Alexander Schöpff will head up Analog Way Inc. and will oversee operations and sales activities for the US, Canadian, and South American markets. He will be based in New York City, where Analog Way Inc. has been established since 1998 with a full team dedicated to administration, sales and customer service.

Alexander Schöpff joined Analog Way in 2003 as a sales manager for Germany and Eastern Europe. He was promoted as EMEA sales manager in 2006 and established a successful sales strategy in Europe over the last four years.

Prior to that, Alexander Schöpff spent 10 years in business to business sales in IT and the Audiovisual Industry.

"Alexander's personal and professional skills were conducive to Analog Way's expansion in Europe,&qu

UK - Audio Light Systems Ltd, Edinburgh, has appointed Dennis Martin to head up its new office in Ireland.

Dennis has worked in performance technology since the early 1980s. He trained in electronics and communications and cut his teeth in theatre at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. Since then he has engineered and managed many projects including The Sage Centre, Gateshead; Queens Hall, Trinidad; The International School, Manila and the Baby Grand, Grand Opera House, Belfast.

Prior to joining Audio Light Systems Ltd Dennis was a Project Engineer at Northern Light and before that was chief engineer at Stage Services North, Belfast.

Eddy O'Hare, a director of Audio Light Systems says: "I actually met Dennis, a long time ago at the Grand Opera House while installing a Stage Management system. I recognised his talents then." Dennis Martin adds: "I am really excited

USA - Audinate has announced that pro audio/video industry executive Dave Lebolt has joined its technical advisory board.

Dave Lebolt is well known in the A/V industry. At Avid Technology he served as senior vice president and general manager of Digidesign, Avid's audio division, makers of Pro Tools systems. He has also served as Avid's CTO as well as vice president of applications product marketing at Apple, Inc.

"We are pleased to have someone of Dave Lebolt's experience and stature join our technical advisory board," said Aidan Williams, CTO and co-founder of Audinate. "As a highly respected industry veteran, Dave has a deep understanding of the pro audio visual market, and will be a valuable asset to Audinate as our company moves forward."

"Audinate occupies a unique position, having some of the most mature and the best implemented networking tec

USA - Harman Professional has appointed Aaron Simon to the position of director of licensed products. Simon will be responsible for spearheading an ongoing range of new and existing initiatives specifically designed as part of a strategic music artist endorsement programme. He will report to executive vice president of marketing and sales, Michael MacDonald.

Prior to joining Harman Professional, Simon led the strategic marketing, partnerships and promotions department at Disney Music Group. Simon also worked with record companies such as Jive Records (Sony/BMG), Atlantic Records (Warner Music Group) and Virgin Records (EMI). "I could not be more thrilled to be part of the Harman team," stated Simon.

(Jim Evans)

UK - At its annual general meeting last week, Ken Bennett-Hunter was voted in as the new chair of Skillscene.

On acceptance of this strategically significant national role, Bennett-Hunter said, "I am pleased to have been elected as Chair of Skillscene. Representing, as it does, theatre managements, unions, trade associations and trainers it is uniquely placed to influence the future of training and qualifications, particularly in the area of technical theatre. I look forward to working with Creative and Cultural Skills, the National Skills Academy and others to ensure that training and qualifications meet the needs of the industry."

Outgoing Chair, Anamaria Wills, who also led its forerunner, Theatre Technical Training Serves, as well chairing Skillscene since its inception in 2005, warmly congratulated Ken on his appointment. A vote of thanks was given to her in rec

UK - At its recent Annual General Meeting, Ken Bennett-Hunter was voted in as the new Chair of Skillscene.

On acceptance of this strategically significant national role, Ken said: "I am pleased to have been elected as Chair of Skillscene. Representing, as it does, theatre managements, unions, trade associations and trainers it is uniquely placed to influence the future of training and qualifications, particularly in the area of technical theatre. I look forward to working with Creative and Cultural Skills, the National Skills Academy and others to ensure that training and qualifications meet the needs of the industry."

Outgoing Chair, Anamaria Wills, who also led its forerunner Theatre Technical Training Serves as well chairing Skillscene since its inception in 2005, warmly congratulated Ken on his appointment. A vote of thanks was given to her in recognition of her

Norway / The Netherlands - Projector manufacturer projectiondesign has appointed Åsmund O.Fodstad to the position of executive vice president. Åsmund O. Fodstad started with projectiondesign on 1 February, coinciding with the first day of the Integrated Systems Europe exhibition.

Åsmund O. Fodstad has over 15 years of solid sales, marketing, management and operations experience in the energy, software and telecom industries across four continents.

"With Åsmund's global depth, experience, knowledge and skill, he has the perfect mix of talent to lead projectiondesign's international operations and to drive the company's efforts in establishing itself as the world wide preferred projector manufacturer and supplier," says J°rn Eriksen, CEO and president at projectiondesign. "We envisage an excellent potential for projectiondesign's growth and maturity in spe

Germany - In the course of restructuring and taking over sales of all its software products in German speaking countries, Berlin-based AFMG, manufacturer of the simulation platform for room acoustics EASE and audio measurement tools EASERA and SysTune, has appointed graduate engineer Thilo Schuetz as its director of press, marketing and sales.

Stefan Feistel, managing director of AFMG, comments, "We are proud to have Mr. Thilo Schuetz joining our team. He has come to grips with our company and products in no time."

Thilo Schuetz, who has worked as production manager and CTO for Gahrens+Battermann GmbH in Berlin before coming to AFMG, has many years of experience in the field of audio engineering.

(Jim Evans)

Spain - Claus Behrens, a professional with a long and distinguished career in the professional audio industry, has joined the D.A.S. Audio team in the new position of business development manager.

Behrens' broad professional background includes collaboration with TC Electronic, TC Works, TC US and most recently Lab. Gruppen and Lake, where he took on management and sales roles.

"It's going to be fantastic, joining a company with such a professional and passionate team, with such excellent products that reach an increasingly bigger share of the market," says Behrens. I hope to contribute my experience and the knowledge I've accumulated in this dynamic and competitive sector."

(Jim Evans)

USA - The tragic death of legendary sound engineer and audio innovator Bruce Jackson has shocked the pro audio world. A keen pilot for many years, Jackson was killed last weekend when his plane crashed in southern California.

Jackson, an Australian, was a true pioneer of the live sound reinforcement industry. He was the 'J' of Jands, the company which he co-founded in the late 60s and remains today as one of the biggest names in Australia's professional entertainment technology industry. A meeting with Roy Clair in 1970 led to a long and fruitful relationship with Clair Brothers Audio. Moving to the US, Jackson mixed monitor sound for Elvis Presley until the singer's death in 1977; later he worked for many years with Bruce Springsteen and Barbra Streisand. His mixing credits also included many other major artists, including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Jackson Five, Barry Whit

The Netherlands - Aviom announced at ISE 2011 that Gary Lee has been appointed the director of global sales.

Lee has been with Aviom since the beginning and has been instrumental in building Aviom's success in the US, says the company. "Gary's proven understanding of the sales channel, Aviom's partners and resellers, as well as the experience of the end user, has led to his success in selling Aviom products into various market segments," says Aviom's president and CEO, Carl Bader.

In this new role, Lee will work directly with Aviom's internal and external sales force, as well as with senior management, to formulate and implement worldwide sales strategies.

(Jim Evans)

Australia - Sydney Opera House has offered its facilities to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Bruce Jackson for a public memorial. The event will take place on 25 February in the Concert Hall, beginning at 10.00am.

The veteran sound engineer and technical innovator was killed in January when his plane crashed in southern California. He was 62. His career included sound engineering duties for Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and many other leading artists. In addition to his live sound mixing experience, Jackson was a skilled technical innovator and entrepreneur: among his achievements, he co-founded Australian production house Jands, founded Apogee Electronics, and co-developed the ground-breaking Lake Technology DSP loudspeaker processor.

A native Australian, Jackson worked closely with Opera House technical director David Claringbold on the 20

Belgium - AED Group, the Belgium-based dry hire specialist, has announced the appointment of Remo Martufi as international business development manager. Prior to joining AED, Martufi worked with some renowned companies within the industry such as Yamaha, Ampco-Flashlight and Vitec Group's Staging Systems. AED says that in addition to guiding its commercial activities, Martufi will develop the corporate brand strategy as well as identify and develop business opportunities for the AED companies.

Also joining the company is Alex Goemans, who takes on the role of PR and Communications manager. With a proven track record in the entertainment industry Goemans will develop and implement the company's overall public relations program, which will include media relations and new products information. Having worked previously with AED Rent, Showtex and also as a production manager for Laun

UK - The Arena Group is reorganising its group structure in order to streamline and further improve the temporary events overlay services for its clients, along with the setting up of a dedicated International Projects Division to service the increasing number of prestigious International project opportunities that continue to become available to the Group.

As part of this reorganisation, Arena Structures and Arena Seating will combine resources and will be headed up by Grahame Muir as managing director with Dave Withey the group sales director of this collective unit.

Joe O'Neil takes the role of managing director for the newly formed Arena's International Projects Division. He will be focusing on business growth in the Middle and Far East as well as the expanding the company's portfolio of iconic world events and international sales for the BOX seat.

Arena Seating's Membur

USA - Intelix has recently added Bruce Stelman to their team as a senior product manager. In this capacity, Stelman will work with the Intelix team to ensure timely product development and introduction.

"Bruce is a welcome addition to the Intelix team," states Mike Konkle, Intelix CTO. "His deep understanding and experience in the AV industry are a tremendous asset; he will be crucial to the design and production of innovative, reliable electronics based on the needs of the AV industry for years to come."

Stelman served as director of product development for a major manufacturer in the wireless assistive listening industry, as well as a product development consultant for other audio-visual firms.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Yamaha Music GmbH (UK) has announced the creation of a dedicated Audio Visual Division with effect from March 1st 2011. Ian Galloway is named as divisional director. Previously audio visual sales and marketing activities came under the leadership of Robert Webster who was jointly responsible for the Yamaha keyboard business.

The move signals "a decision and determination to expand Yamaha's UK AV business and is particularly timely as the product range now encompasses a varied range of different categories including Hi-Fi components, system products, home cinema speakers, digital sound projectors, AV receivers and more recently the Desktop Audio products".

Galloway's Yamaha antecedents date back to 1981 when he played a pivotal role in the UK re-launch of Yamaha Hi-Fi following which he helped form Watford based Yamaha electronics in 1986. Subsequent roles includ

Germany - Optocore has appointed Mark Davidson as its new international sales & marketing manager, based at the company's HQ in Munich. His global remit will include the EMEA territories, Russia and Pacific Asia.

Davidson, who is multilingual, has enjoyed a distinguished career in network systems for broadcast and live applications, both in North America and Europe. He arrives at Optocore from Advantech Wireless, where he was selling satellite uplink and downlink equipment as well as networking systems.

He says he is relishing the challenges ahead. "The company has great technology and a strong foothold in the broadcast, live and fixed installation markets. The potential is huge and I'm really excited - I'm sure we can grow the company exponentially."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Entertainment consumables supplier Le Mark has announced the appointment of David Cartwright as their national business development manager. He brings with him over 25 years' experience in the entertainment lighting industry, with a full and varied background from technical hire, design and production to international sales and marketing.

Cartwright returns to the industry after an eight year absence working as head of sales and marketing for an environmental energy company. He had Having previously worked for Stage Electrics and The Lighting Technology Group.

One of his priorities will be to develop new business and spearhead Le Mark's new range of projection screens and scenic floor products complementing the existing range of adhesive tapes and printed equipment supplies.

"It is great to be back working within an industry that I love and renewing contacts and co

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