Robe - Leaderboard - 27 Aug25 - Jan26
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Business

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Switzerland - In reaction to the current situation, pro audio and MI manufacturer Schertler has issued the following: “For the first time in all these years, we are all together facing a situation that is bigger than us and that is changing our way of living and seeing the world.
“Here in Switzerland, the circumstances have already gotten serious and sadly, we’ve had to stop the production and the shipments at least until 30 March in accord with the government decision and for the safety of our employees. Nevertheless, we are still active office-wise - from our beautiful homes - and we are trying our best to answer to all your needs, support you as much as we can and prepare a lot of news for the future.
“What we ask you in this difficult moment is to understand that things might be slower than the usual but, primarily, we would like to give you a message of ho

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Germany - Lighting control specialist Madrix has scheduled a free live streaming programme to start next week.
“To stay connected with our industry and lighting community, we would like to invite everyone to join us live on YouTube from the Madrix headquarters,” says marketing manager Martin Fritzsche. “We will be offering an update on what we are working on to stay connected. Among those is the world premiere of a brand-new hardware product.”
The programme includes:
Madrix: 2020 March Update - an overview over the latest updates regarding the company’s range of LED lighting control solutions made in Germany; Madrix Radar - Unleash the full potential Of RDM - Learn how to unlock unprecedented RDM functionality with this brand-independent tool with fully automatic 24/7 device monitoring and automatic e-mail notifications; the world premie
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UK - Arts Council England (ACE) has announced a £160m emergency response package to help cultural organisations, freelancers and individual artists survive the coronavirus crisis.
The money is intended to prevent artists and arts organisations from going into liquidation, but is also designed to help them come up with creative responses “to buoy the public” during the lockdown.
The package breaks down as £20m of funds for creative practitioners and freelancers, £50m for organisations not in the national portfolio, and £90m for the 828 organisations in the national portfolio, a category that ranges from small touring theatres to the National Theatre.
The money is coming from a combination of ACE’s emergency reserves and a suspension of national lottery project grants, normally a vital source of income for smaller organisations and individuals.
ACE

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UK - The Knight of Illumination (KOI) executive committee has come to the decision to postpone the 13th annual awards ceremony and gala dinner due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and the enormous implications it is having on the entertainment industry.
A statement from co-founders Durham and Jennie Marenghi on behalf of the KOI committee reads as follows:
"The Knight of Illumination committee has taken the considered decision that this year's KOI Awards ceremony will not be held on 6 September as planned, due to the uncertainty of the times in which we now live. The event will be held as a celebration of our industry and to bring people together, once the current situation has been resolved and it is safe to do so.
"Meanwhile, we will continue to appraise the work already submitted and we ask designers to please continue to nominate via the KOI website.

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World - LSi Online has launched a dedicated page with training and information resources for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Available at www.lsionline.com/covid-19-support, readers can access the latest business reaction including online training initiatives, industry campaigns and information on the latest financial support packages available to the industry.
The page is regularly updated and is devised as a key resource for those looking for a reliable guide to all important announcements concerning the industry.
Readers who wish to share relevant initiatives or resources should get in touch with the LSi team on info@lsionline.com
Meanwhile,

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Eurovision Alternative - Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are investigating an ‘alternative’ show after this year's event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the format has yet to be decided, they stressed the programme would not be a competition. However, the show will “honour the songs and artists” that were due to take part of the contest this May. “With that in mind,” organisers said, “this year's songs will not be eligible to compete when the contest returns. Participating broadcasters may decided which artist(s) to send in 2021, either this year's or a newly chosen one.”
The event's executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand added: “We are very proud of the Eurovision Song Contest, that for 64 years has united people all around Europe. We regret this situation very much. The event will return stronger than ever next year.”

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USA - Samsystems UK has announced the appointment of Texas-based RBI Music, as USA distributor for its Integral close cab miking system.
Available in 10in or 12in format, Integral can be used as an innovative solution to augment or replace traditional external close cab miking techniques, in a live or studio environment.
With less mike stands on stage, Integral also helps prevent overspill, feedback issues and offers quicker band set up times. Installed in minutes within cabs or combos, Integral features a circular constructed rigid frame, mounted internally between the cabinet grill and existing speaker.
A super cardioid, dynamic microphone with a high/low, full range frequency response and pressure tested at extreme volumes, is housed within the central ‘pepper pot’ strategically aimed off-centre of the speaker coil, delivering the true, balanced, accurate

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Italy - Loudspeaker specialist K-array has written to friends and partners.
“We hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. With things changing at such a high speed, we personally want to assure that every member of our extended family is informed on an ongoing basis.
“At K-array, with the safety of our staff as the top concern, we have already been taking necessary steps to adapt our operations while remaining committed to driving business by enacting remote smart working for those who can, which has enabled us to interact with our customers and suppliers in a more safe and active way than before.
“Our next action, in respect to the latest restrictions imposed by the Italian government 22 March, is to suspend all activity within the factory. Effective immediately, K-array will remain engaged and availabl

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South Africa - DWR Distribution has shared a message to the industry.
“When Duncan Riley established DWR Distribution from a tiny office in his home in 2006, he and his wife Sherryn decided to do something different. Abandoning the security of a salaried job, Duncan set out to build on an idea - that the people, not the gear, makes our industry special.
“It’s all about the people has been the guiding vision and mantra of DWR Distribution for the past 14 years. The DWR family has grown from a team of three to a team of more than 60 people, all of whom service the industry in South Africa with passion, dedication and, above all else, humanity. It is more important now than ever that we stand together and make every moment we have all about the people.
“You might be feeling scared right now, just as we are. We are scared for our families and loved ones. We

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USA/UK - Elation Professional and the ADJ Group of Companies “wish to bring a heartfelt message to everyone in our beloved lighting community”.
“Like you, we are shocked and saddened by the devastation the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the world, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected,” say the companies. “Throughout our 35-year history, we have always been a company that cares deeply about our personnel, and therefore place the health and safety of all our employees and their families as our top priority.
“In order to provide a safe and secure working environment while continuing to support our customers, we are adjusting staff levels and operating on a reduced schedule going forward. To further minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to adapt to the current business climate, we have decided to temporarily adjust our US opera

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UK - Lighting console manufacturer ChamSys has announced an online programming contest - the ChamSys Online Programmers Competition.
The competition is open for entries until 10 April and participants will be in for a chance to win a MagicQ MQ70 console. The first 25 entries will also receive a MagicDMX Test Kit, and the three runners-up will get a ‘premium swag bag’.
For the competition, ChamSys is utilising Chauvet Professional’s 200-fixture rig that was meant to premiere at the now-cancelled Prolight+Sound 2020 tradeshow.
To participate, entrants must download the Vis/Base show file of the rig, select a one to three-minute song of their choice, and programme the lights using MagicQ with MagicVis visualistion.
Entrants then have to record their entries via screen capture and submit them, along with the show file, to competition@chamsyslighting.co

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UK/USA - By popular demand UK TiMax developers Out Board have announced a Spring season of ‘One-on-One for One’ online training sessions with TiMax specialists in the UK and USA.
Anybody interested in developing their leading-edge skills in the rapidly growing use of TiMax immersive audio, spatial mixing and showcontrol may well want to check this out. Sessions are open to all sound designers, sound engineers and production sound techs worldwide on a first-come, first-served basis. Simply register to download TiMax SoundHub software (Mac or Windows) from outboard.co.uk and enter “1on1” into the About You section. Alternatively contact Out Board direct on software@outboard.co.uk.
Out Board will respond with an invitation to select an available time and date for a personal, one-on-one, one-hour Skype screen-share trai

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UK - Martin Audio has unveiled a series of weekly webinars aimed at helping technicians stay up to date with the latest technology during this unprecedented time for the industry. The live webinar series will begin on Wednesday 1 April with all sessions remaining available on the Martin Audio website.
The live webinars will begin with Low Frequency System Design, presented by Simon Purse and will be followed by sessions on Display 2.3, EASE Focus and WPS Optimised Line Arrays. In addition to these initial sessions, the company will be adding a variety of topics over the coming weeks, covering Martin Audio’s products and software, as well as more general pro audio topics.
In addition to this, in the coming months Martin Audio will also be hiring freelance industry professionals a

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Europe - Benelux rental companies recently took part in #LightTheSky, an initiative in support of key workers and those on the frontline of fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
On 22 March, for half an hour, companies and individuals - in fact anyone with access to a light - were invited to point it upwards and #LightTheSky. The idea was conceived by a Dutch rental company and became a clarion call taken up by numerous entertainment rental companies, venues, broadcasters and others, by people working in every segment across the whole Benelux Region with some extremely creative results.
Heart shapes were a popular choice and many of the lighting schemes utilised Robe products - MegaPointes and Pointes were a favourite for their brightness - however other products and brands were also involved in this spontaneous and imaginative expression of solidarity. It highlighted gra

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UK - Glyn Owen, a self-employed rigger at the ACC Liverpool, expressed his bewilderment at why the UK government has not offered comparable financial backing to the self-employed.
Last week, the chancellor Rishi Sunak opened up access to the Universal Credit system to workers including freelancers and zero-hour contractors. However, claiming from the welfare system would only secure £94.25 per week for a self-employed worker, whilst the government promised to cover 80% of the salaries of employees.
On Sunday, the communities secretary Robert Jenrick recognised “this isn’t perfect”, adding: “It isn't easy, it's not as simple as supporting those who are in employment. The purpose of our employment mechanism is to help continue the connection between employees and their business so once this is over - and it will be over - those individuals can return

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Europe - Highlite International has vowed to support its clients affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
“For almost everybody who is active in the entertainment-business our line of work is no profession. Entertainment is a passion which, for most of us, started long ago as a hobby and gradually over the years became a calling, if you will. How else can you explain all these short days and long nights building, rigging, producing, controlling and entertaining and doing the same thing the next night. Every DJ, bass player, singer and entertainer knows this feeling through and through.
“There is nothing greater than being able to put smiles on people’s faces, let them feel good during a couple of hours. Be it at a festival, a family reunion, on tour, during a fashion event or a children’s birthday. Entertainment comes in many forms as does joy.
“The coro

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UK - Neutrik (UK) would like to take the opportunity to provide reassurance to staff, distributors, resellers, suppliers and customers that, in the face of the current evolving Covid-19 emergency, “we are rapidly adapting and innovating, wherever possible, to provide and maintain the greatest possible level of service.
“In the first instance, the company is taking every possible means to ensure the safety of our personnel, implementing all government and WHO recommendations relating to onsite hygiene and employee safety in the workplace. Wherever possible, those who can are already working from home.
“Having put these measures in place, we are able to fully maintain production, fulfil and ship orders at this time. All frontline sales and support team members are contactable on all the usual channels of communication.
Managing Director Neutrik (UK) Mark Per

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Spain - Barcelona-based Amate Audio’s founder and CEO Juan Amate says the company has implemented “adaptive measures” in this time of unprecedented crisis.
“All of us are faced with challenges outside of our common experience, for which we are unlikely to have prior contingency,” he says. “At Amate Audio, we are moving rapidly to confront and meet those challenges. We are taking immediate action to secure the integrity of our supply and distribution chains and our clients' business, as well as our continued financial health and corporate wellbeing, throughout the course of the crisis and beyond.
“To this end we are able to guarantee the continued delivery of orders to our clients during any reasonably foreseeable interruption to production, as may be required by the civil authorities. Likewise, our ability to quickly restart and achieve volume production

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Hong Kong - LED lighting manufacturer Illumination Physics has reported it is now in recovery mode after its business – with bases in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Macau, Dubai, Delhi and Europe - was among the first wave of companies to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have certainly faced some challenges caused by the effects and reactions to the current coronavirus pandemic,” say the directors. “Our factory and the attendant procurement chain was shut down effectively for more than a month and various levels of difficult planning and logistics followed that. But we are now part of the first wave to recover.
“Thanks to the hard work and excellent strategy employed in our manufacturing operations, Illumination Physics is now back at 100% operating capacity.
“We have clawed back the lost time and we are preparing to deliver three large projects on t

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UK - Event production supplier and AV integrator SFL is calling on the entertainment technology and events industries to stand by their teams as the COVID-19 outbreak threatens the liveliehoods of many industry workers.
“Events of every kind have been seriously affected in a very short space of time,” comments the company’s managing director, Tom Jeffery. “As with many organisations, this is a significant part of our business, but we know we have to look to the future. At SFL, we consider our team to be our family - one that we will stand by. We have always run a financially-prudent business and we are grateful to be in a position to be able to weather this storm and put our team’s needs first in such a difficult time.”
As well as looking close to home, SFL is finding ways to support positive expressions of community on a wider basis, as new ways to communi

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Sweden - Gothenburg-based LumenRadio AB has announced the acquisition of Wireless Solution Sweden AB.
The two brands will maintain their market identities and operate separately. The combined business will have a yearly turnover of more than €10m and more than 50 employees, with complementary products and solutions, addressing a much bigger customer base.
Alexander Hellström, CEO of LumenRadio, comments: “We are really excited about this! Together we will define the wireless standard for the future and with all the great technology and know-how Wireless Solution has built up over the last two decades, we strongly believe that our existing and future customers will benefit from the combined offer. Professional lighting is a high-stakes, no-nonsense business, putting high pressure on suppliers to always deliver, something that Wireless Solution, under the dedicate

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UK - As with many businesses in the UK, loudspeaker specialist EM Acoustics is closely monitoring the current public health challenge linked to the Coronavirus, and following advice and applying procedures recommended by the WHO and Public Health England with regard to health and hygiene.
Operations director Mike Wheeler reports: “Since we source very few of our components in South East Asia, our exposure to supply chain disruption from China is extremely minimal. Additionally we understand that Chinese manufacturing has resumed to near normal levels, and so we do not anticipate any significant negative effects on our supply chain.
“Although restrictions on the movement of goods in Europe, and particularly Italy, is of concern, we do have considerable reserve stocks of components that will allow us to complete current production schedules without disruption.

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UK - Artistic Licence reports that it is ‘business as usual’ for the company in the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The lighting control specialist says, “As a small company, Artistic Licence is keen to reassure all our customers that we are open for business as usual. Our sales and production departments are operating normally and we have good levels of stock available for immediate delivery.
“As a precaution, the decision has been made that staff who can work from home will do so from today onwards, until further notice. Email and telephone details will remain the same and all staff can be contacted as normal.”

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UK - Creative Technology (CT) UK is home to hundreds of media servers, each with the latest in GPU’s and processors. Ordinarily, these servers are key to delivering live events for clients but following the outbreak of COVID-19 throughout Europe and beyond, and the related reduction in live events, CT has found itself in a position to get creative with its technology in the form of the Folding@Home project run by Stanford University.
CT London has set up a server farm and is inviting researchers from all over the world to use the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) capacity of its media servers to draw, calculate and analyse complex formulas and graphics in the global fight against COVID-19.
Folding@Home is a distributed computing project for disease resea
  1. LEA Professional partners with Proactive
  2. 21CC Group launches #ThinkOthers campaign
  3. Industry organisations launch roadie benefit initiative
  4. Industry rallies to offer training during COVID crisis
  5. PLASA Focus Leeds 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19
  6. Adamson adds distributor for Bangladesh
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