Participants from the pro-audio, broadcast and sound reinforcement industries shared a specially designed booth at the heart of the show, creating a great first impression and receiving the glowing attention both of visitors to the show and of the host of local distributors and manufacturers with whom they were looking for local partnerships.
Console and auxiliary stalwarts SSL and AMS-Neve re-launched their Brazilian presences along with first time appearances from CB Electronics, XTA/MC2, Martin Audio, Sonnox, JoeCo, Sonifex, Sonic Distribution and Resolution magazine.
The Great British Audio Embassy booth also provided a home for Adam Place's Nu-Desine football-like midi input device, a great favourite with UKTI's visiting dignitaries who included managing director of UKTI, Crispin Simon; head of UKTI in Latin America, Tony Lamb, and the British Consul-General and head of UKTI in Brazil, John Doddrell.
Admiring the results of the APRS/UKTI partnership, the UKTI team visited those companies being supported with Tradefair Access Programme grants commenting favourably on how the UKTI's 'Great' branding campaign was presented with imagination throughout the booth and bi-lingual materials prepared by the APRS.
he APRS and the British Consulate organised a reception at the Consulate's 'King's Head Pub' to which targeted local distributors, manufacturers and studio owners were invited. Business in Brazil is known to rely upon developing personal, long standing relationships so the principal purpose of this first trip was a chance to meet and sound-out future partners. Nonetheless, UK equipment is deeply admired in Brazil and, despite what are currently punitive tax barriers, local distributors and end-users have made a number of definite commitments to acquire and promote the brands on display.
The AES's Joel Brito, commented, "Having these top UK brands at the AES show has increased the credibility of the event. We look forward to making the APRS presence a regular part of the Brazilian pro-audio scene". While Carlos de Andrade, owner of Visom studios and prominent importer said, "We want British quality equipment so that we can ensure Brazilian productions and culture benefits from being presented in the best possible way."
(Jim Evans)
