UK - Together with new premises in Poole, UK, Void Acoustics continues to expand both its workforce and its presence in the pro-audio industry. The most recent addition to the Void team is Bradley Scott Watson, who has joined to fill the role as international sales manager.

Watson has been involved in the industry in some way for the last 12 years, working at Middlesex Sound and Lighting (2010 - 2012), and as a UK & international salesman for Martin Audio (2000 - 2010), and said this about joining the Void family, "working at MSL (Middlesex Sound & Lighting) was a fantastic experience, but I wanted a new challenge with a return to the manufacturing side of the industry. Void do things just that little bit differently, which initially drew me to the position."

Void MD Alex Skan said, "Bradley comes to Void at a crucial time in the company's growth, he mirrors bot

UK - Avolites Ltd has appointed Koy Neminathan as Sales Director and JB Toby as Technical Director, effective immediately.

Since joining Avolites Ltd in February 2000 Neminathan has become an indispensable member of the core sales team and has been instrumental in energizing the company's longstanding sales success.

Neminathan, whose experience at Avolites encompasses the job of Business Development Manager from 2006 and then as Sales Manager from 2009, succeeds Steve Warren who will remain as an active Director of Avolites Ltd while also acting as Managing Director of fast-growing Avolites Media Ltd - a position he took on in September 2011.

As Sales Director of Avolites, Neminathan will continue to oversee and expand the vast International distribution network and also manage the UK sales team.

JB Toby has an equally strong and proven track record at Avolites Ltd having

UK - Software developers Stardraw.com have announced major changes to the company's structure and operation, starting with the announcement that Rob Robinson, currently marketing director, is to become CEO with immediate effect. David Snipp, founder of Stardraw.com and current CEO, remains a major shareholder at Stardraw.com and assumes a role of non-executive board director.

At the same time, Stardraw.com announced the acquisition of intellectual property rights associated with Stardraw Control, their award-winning universal control platform, by manufacturer of IP and WiFi-enabling products, Global Caché. As part of this arrangement, Snipp has been appointed CTO of the Jacksonville, Oregon, hardware provider.

The new structure will see Stardraw.com focusing on their core business of software tools and services for system design and documentation, and the development of

USA - Arup's West Coast Theatre Consulting practice led by Robert Young,has moved operations to San Francisco.

To meet increasing demand for services in Northern California and to better serve West Coast clients, Robert Young will lead the theatre consulting group from Arup's San Francisco office.

He joins industry veterans Josh Cushner, Kurt Graffy and Larry Tedford to offer integrated acoustics, audiovisual and theatre consulting services. Recent projects include work for arts, education and corporate clients including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, SF MOMA, and Idyllwild Arts.

A respected member of the theatre community with more than 20 years of experience, Young has led the theatre planning and technical systems design for some of the most acclaimed arts and academic buildings of the last decade.

(Jim Evans)

UK - PR Lighting has announced the promotion of one of its long-term employees to international assistant sales director.

Sasha Xiong joined the company eight years ago as sales manager, with responsibility for the Asia Pacific countries.

Commented international sales director, Ernie Armas, "We strive to build long term relationships not only with our customers but also our employees. It is just as important for us to mentor and develop the talent and skills of our sales force, as it is a key asset to everyone's success. I very much look forward to working with Sasha in her new role."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Simon Blackwood has joined digital console manufacturer DiGiCo as business development director.

"It's great to be able to welcome Simon to the DiGiCo team," says managing director James Gordon. "He is going to bring a new dimension to our expertise base and will be instrumental in taking us into new areas. It's an honour to manage a great company where smart people want to come and work and we're delighted that Simon is going to be a part of that. We believe DiGiCo is a real professional audio oasis."

Blackwood comments, "I've long admired the way the DiGiCo team have pioneered the evolution of professional digital mixing. In the past I've regarded them as strong and creative competitors and now feel privileged to be joining the team at such an exciting time."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Building on the ever-converging technologies of lighting and video, Blitz has seized the opportunity to greatly expand its offering to clients through a £320,000 investment in new lighting stock and the recruitment of a full- time lighting designer.

Blitz welcomed Simon Brockwell to its team at the beginning of August as a full-time lighting designer. He has a wealth of experience as a freelance engineer, having graduated from Rose Bruford. Brockwell is developing Blitz's lighting design and project management offering so it can offer a more bespoke service to both direct clients and freelance designers. As a trained operator, he is experienced with a range of lighting consoles and media servers, and is helping Blitz further integrate its video and lighting departments.

To enhance the pre-production and visualisation offering, Blitz has installed a new WYSIWYG studi

UK - Ambersphere Solutions has announced that Matt Cowles has joined the company as technical sales effective Monday 3 September.

Most recently he has been a business development manager for Stage Electrics, having previously built his knowledge as account manager in the live events division for the same company. Prior to that he was a product manager at Martin Professional.

"We are delighted to welcome Matt into his role as technical sales here at Ambersphere. This is a newly created role to ensure that as our business expands, we continue to provide excellent customer care and technical support countrywide," comments managing director Glyn O'Donoghue.

"I'm really pleased to be joining the Ambersphere team. There really isn't a better time to be getting out on the road representing Ambersphere with the array of products that MA Lighting and Clay Paky currentl

USA - Loud Technologies Inc has announced Tony Del Gianni's appointment to the role of vice president of operations. Del Gianni joins the company from his most-recent position at Harman Pro.

"Loud's brands are generating some amazing market attention and sales for our channel partners thanks to innovative new products like the Martin Audio MLA Compact, Mackie DLM Powered Loudspeaker and EAW Avalon dance club system," explained Mark Graham, Loud's CEO. "As we set our sights on even greater success at an even faster pace, I'm thrilled to have Tony take the reins of our purchasing, procurement and support functions. I am confident that he will very quickly improve our time-to-market on new products and customer order fill rates, while at the same time increasing quality across our entire supply chain."

Del Gianni will report to Alex Nelson, president of Loud's

South Africa - DWR Distribution has added Angela Botha to its team. With her knowledge of the accounting software, Pastel, she will be assisting the accounts department and help with invoices and quotations.

Botha is a former Krugersdorp High School student and for the past three years worked at Filter Pure Mesh carrying out administrative duties and internal sales.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Electrosonic has announced the promotion of Sarah Joyce to vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Joyce was previously employed as general manager human resources, EMEA. Her promotion follows Ilari Anttila's decision to leave the company to return to his home country of Finland. Joyce has also been appointed to the company's global executive board.

Besides heading up the EMEA leadership team, Joyce's core role will be to develop and execute the Electrosonic strategy across the EMEA region, oversee its operations and develop the long term growth strategy for both the service and managed services businesses.

"Sarah brings with her a proven track record of managing AV services. During her time at Electrosonic, she has been fundamental in developing new company initiatives and strategies to ensure Electrosonic remains at the forefront of its business&q

UK - LED lighting specialist, MHA Lighting has added two new starters to its sales and communication teams.

Jim Williams joins MHA as regional business manager (Northern), bringing with him a very successful track record of over 20 years' experience in senior sales roles within the lighting industry, with Thorn, Coughtrie and Dialight.

Also moving to MHA is Anthony Monks, who joins as senior communications executive. His experience includes roles with Airbus UK, Lancashire County Council's Brussels Office and Advanced Computer Software Group.

MHA Lighting's managing director Tom Harrison says, "I'm delighted to welcome both Jim and Anthony to MHA Lighting's ever-growing family. They've joined MHA at a very exciting time, as we've secured a number of new exciting projects.

"Jim's extensive experience and strong, established relationships with potential clients wit

Sweden - SGM A/S has recruited the experienced Mikael Uddh to handle the Danish manufacturer's portfolio of LED products on an exclusive basis, under the newly-formed SGM Sweden.

Uddh is already familiar with SGM product distribution from his time with Interlite, having previously joined sister company, Wireless DMX as key account sales manager for Europe four years ago.

The Swede says he is now relishing the challenge of marketing the groundbreaking range of high premium low energy solutions to the core rental, broadcast, architectural and retail segments under the new company.

Speaking of the move, he said, "I first met [CEO Peter Johansen] at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt this year. Having worked in lighting for 20 years and been associated with major manufacturers including ETC, Arri and Vari-Lite - as well as SGM - I didn't want to pass the opportunity by when I saw

France - Robert Juliat has announces the appointment of Claus Spreyer as its new sales director.

Claus Spreyer comes to the company with an abundance of experience and knowledge from many years in the industry. During this time, he was with Lightpower/MA Lighting, Germany, where he was responsible for all partner relations, then two years ago joined A & O, the Germany-based, leading manufacturer of Sky Tracers, in the position of Executive Vice President.

As Sales Director at Robert Juliat, Spreyer will participate in raising the brand to an even higher level and extending its technology leadership position through unique innovations.

"I've known Robert Juliat for a long time and I'm now looking forward to bringing in all my knowledge, my international contacts and all my strong relationships to the lighting industry into Robert Juliat. Understanding how the industry wo

UK - Electrosonic has announced the appointment of Marc Cooke as director of operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Cooke will be responsible for all operational activities across the corporate, control rooms and entertainment markets. He has also been appointed a member of the EMEA leadership team.

Cooke will be responsible for ensuring clients receive a high level of service regardless of project size or location. Working closely with the VP of operations, Richard Maxfield, he will continue to improve and deploy strategic operational procedures, standards and initiatives, to ensure Electrosonic continues to deliver projects on time and within budget, says the company.

"I am delighted Marc has joined Electrosonic and the EMEA leadership team. He brings with him a wealth of AV operations experience along with a passion for excellence," commented Sarah

UK / USA - The focus of Le Maitre Pyrotechnics and Special Effects on its US operation and its commitment to the North American market has now been further underlined by the recent appointment of a new global CEO - Rob Brenner - who will oversee both the UK and US companies. Brenner is based in the US and will also be President of Le Maitre USA LLC.

Brenner's background has been as a touring industry executive with over 25 years experience and has included producing tours for such stellar names as Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys & Britney Spears. His responsibilities in this role covered all things creative, organizational, logistical and financial, all terrific skill-sets that he now brings to Le Maitre.

Says Brenner: "I'm really looking forward to working with such a well established company. Maintaining excellent customer satisfaction will be a top p

USA - ATK Audiotek has confirmed that Michael MacDonald is to take over the duties as president and leadership of the company's business development, sales and marketing programmes, coincident with the retirement of outgoing president Michael Stahl.

MacDonald joins ATK Audiotek with over three decades of experience in the professional audio industry, most recently having served for five years as vice president of sales and marketing at Harman Professional.

"Having Michael MacDonald join the company is a natural extension of the relationships we have enjoyed for over 30 years," commented Mikael Stewart, partner and vice president of special events, ATK Audiotek. "We're very pleased to welcome him onboard and look forward to his ideas and his energy just as we are appreciative of Mike Stahl's massive contribution to ATK since its foundation."

Michael MacDon

Singapore - Loud Technologies has announced Chad Batchelor has joined the company as APAC director of sales, Mackie & Ampeg. Based out of the company's Singapore command centre, Batchelor will partner with all APAC Mackie and Ampeg distributors to leverage these partners' strengths, and Loud resources, to continue the brands' region-wide growth, says the company.

"As Mackie & Ampeg continue to grab more share with innovative products, our partners need commensurately more support from us to manage this growth," said Davwinder Sheena, Loud's APAC managing director. "Chad's a real powerhouse with 20 years' experience in live and recording engineering, distribution, service and support. Backed by our APAC support team, and HQ resources, Chad will bring a new level of sales support, planning and creativity to our partners' market-development efforts."

Prior to

The Netherlands - Nadja Knauss has joined the ADJ Group to take on the main administrative jobs and assist the team in Marketing.

Nadja works from ADJ's European Headquarters in Kerkrade, The Netherlands.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - K-array announced during their Global Distributors Meeting that Michel Brouard will join the company as corporate vice-president of sales. Brouard will personally manage the handling of the Asian Market. He is joining K-array from L-Acoustics, where he covered multiple roles.

"I am delighted to be joining the K-array team," Brouard said. "This is an exciting time with our strong lineup of upcoming product releases and line diversifications. What attracted me to K-array was its dynamic team motivation. The vision of growth and 'keep it in the family' spirit is the primary motivation behind the company's success - that and their open-minded approach to the market."

(Jim Evans)

UK / Sweden - LumenRadio has appointed Peter Kirkup as VP of Entertainment; he will be joining the LumenRadio team on their stand at the LDI show in Las Vegas.

Kirkup, working until recently for Zero 88 and Cooper Controls, brings with him extensive experience and has been a particularly strong supporter of the PLASA RDM technologies and initiatives. He is the designer and administrator of the recently revamped rdmprotocol.org website; the leading industry resource and forum for RDM related matters.

"Having worked with LumenRadio as a customer for several years, I can attest to their professionalism, capability to deliver on time, and to provide comprehensive support and backup when required", says Peter Kirkup, "Our work together on several complex projects exemplified just that - last minute purchase orders, technical challenges due to the constraints on site,

UK - Paul Brewis has joined Studioking Ltd as international sales and business development manager for both Carlsbro and Studiomaster brands.

Brewis brings 12 years of experience with Marshall Amplification and a wealth of industry and international artist contacts to the newly created role. His brief is to develop and implement completely new market strategies for the Carlsbro and Studiomaster brands to establish them as major players in the MI and pro audio industries.

Speaking on record for the first time in his new position, Brewis stated, "In terms of our ongoing approach to the market we are starting with a completely blank canvas. At this stage I'm not going to go into the detail as to what we are going to be doing or how we are going to be doing it, except to say that the planned innovative changes and strategy will encompass all market sectors and price points -

UK - Following the appointment of Alex Leinster as managing director, Chaos Visual Productions has announced that Mick Jones will be joining the company as project director in the UK.

Jones joins the Chaos team on 1 November directly from PRG where he has been instrumental in the project management and delivery of their new video offering in the UK for the last two years. He brings with him over 25 years' experience across the whole live event industry with specific skills and focus in project management, video displays, switching systems, networking and complete system drawings.

"I look forward to joining and being part of the team at Chaos UK with such a great group of people; people who understand the value of client -supplier relationships," remarks Jones. "Chaos is one of the leaders in its field of specialist Video services and, along with the outstanding

UK - In a move to further broaden its scope in the rental and installation sector, POLARaudio has appointed top all-rounder Dave Ball to the position of business development manager.

Ball brings a skill-set suited to the needs of this field. Having plotted a career path from running Bullet Sound a PA company, through positions with LMC, Kv2 and Midwich Home he has acquired formidable expertise. His specific experience within the custom-install market adds further value to an already impressive CV.

MD John Midgley comments: "Being able to draw on Dave's wide experience and thorough understanding of this market he can only help further drive our operations in this area. We are excited to have secured someone of his calibre and look forward with confidence to his playing a key role in our excellent team."

(Jim Evans)

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