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UK - Shure Incorporated has joined the Microsoft Teams certification programme and is working to achieve certification for a select portfolio of Shure networked systems products.
Microsoft Teams provides a complete online meeting solution that includes online meetings, live broadcasts, Microsoft Team Rooms, cloud video interoperability and audio conferencing.
“We are excited to announce that several of our core products are in the process of becoming certified for Microsoft Teams,” comments Chris Merrick, director global systems marketing at Shure. “Joining the Microsoft Teams certification process is a clear indicator of our intention to provide best-in-class experience, compatibility and reliability in the unified communications market.”
(Jim Evans)

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Australia - Eventec has been appointed PR Lighting’s new exclusive Australian distributor.
“Given the prior relationship between PR Lighting, and notably Sasha Xiong, with myself and our operations manager Yan Shao, it seemed obvious that Eventec would be in an excellent position to bring PR Lighting back to Australia,” says Eventec MD, Emanuel Maniatis,
Xiong adds: “Emanuel Maniatis is an old friend of PR Lighting, and his extensive knowledge about our products, the industry and the market trends makes this an ideal partnership. I believe Eventec can offer high quality service and support, and take PR to another level in Australia and benefit all our customers there.”
Maniatis had formerly been the service manager, and later purchasing manager for one of the previous distributors for PR Lighting, dating back to the days when the manufacturer was an OEM

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Italy - Prase Media Technologies is the latest addition to Absen’s value added distributor (VAD) network. Prase will promote Absen LED products in Italy and provide training for local end users as well as building showrooms, exhibiting at relevant trade fairs and organising roadshows.
The company joins a list of Midwich Group plc group members from France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. The agreement, which is already into effect, will also strengthen the growing video portfolio of the Veneto-based distributor.
“Prase started life as an audio distributor, setting very high standards for ourselves along the way,” comments Ennio Prase, managing director and BDM at Prase Media Technologies. “Recently, we have been working hard to build our video portfolio up to meet those same levels and have identified Absen as a perfect partner in this process.”

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USA - Biamp has acquired Audioprof Group International, the parent company of Community Loudspeakers and Apart Audio.
The two audio brands will join as separate product families within Biamp's product portfolio but business functions will gradually blend to form a single Biamp business.
Rashid Skaf, Biamp president, CEO, and co-chairman, comments: “I am tremendously excited to complete this transaction. Building a comprehensive lineup of speakers has been a priority of mine as we move to position Biamp as a full line provider of professional audiovisual solutions. Acquiring Apart Audio and Community Loudspeakers was my preferred route to accomplishing that quickly with incredibly strong and respected brands. The many products added to our portfolio give us powerful positions in several key growth markets for Biamp - most notably retail, hospitality, restaurants, sta

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Norway - Prostage, the Oslo-based distributors of Prolights, invited lighting designer Fredrik Jönsson to lead a two-day workshop hosted in Oslo’s Riksteatret. The designer discussed various design techniques, stories and lessons learned throughout his career in the entertainment industry.
Fredrik Jönsson designed the lighting for the international Eurovision final in Malmö in 2013 and in Stockholm in 2016 and was awarded an LLB Award for best Lighting Design for his work on the 2013 Eurovision final. In 2019, he designed the lighting for Melodifestivalen (the national Swedish Eurovision finals), bringing his grand total of live performances for Melodifestivalen to 103.
Jönsson drew from his vast experience of designing global concert tours, international events and broadcast and concocted the two-day interactive seminar program covering topics such as bas

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USA - Prolyte Group has partnered with Houston entrepreneur Craig Koopersmith to distribute Prolyte products under his rigging and trussing services company, Sabre Structures.
Koopersmith is the CEO of the Sabre Group of Companies, which also includes service exhibit and design firm Skyline Displays of Houston, and corporate interiors and signage specialist, Innovative Environments. The Group supports the tradeshow, display and interior environment sectors and works with Houston-based clients ranging from sole proprietors to Fortune 100 corporations.
The addition of Prolyte products will complement Sabre Structures’ existing display modules whilst enabling the company to offer larger, truss-based tradeshow exhibits and stands. It will also expand the Group’s operation into the event staging and entertainment sectors.
Keith Bohn, Prolyte general sales manager

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Spain - Midwich has announced its Spanish subsidiary Earpro S.A has acquired the entire issued share capital of value-added lighting solutions distributor Entertainment Equipment Supplies S.L (EES).
Based near San Sebastian and founded in 2004 by Nacho Acha-Orbea, EES distributes products from key vendors including Robe Lighting, Verlinde and Prolyte on an exclusive basis to the Spanish market with a focus on the live events and rental sectors.
The acquisition will strengthen Midwich’s position in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, particularly in relation to lighting.
Miguel Mezquita, MD of Earpro, comments: "Having known Nacho and his team for a number of years, I am confident that we can look forward to a successful partnership between Earpro and EES. I believe we will now be able to provide customers of both companies with an even higher level of service

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Then Play On - Entertainment venues in Scotland will receive protection from noise complaints after the ‘agent of change’ planning principle was enshrined into Scottish law. The principle means if an existing entertainment venue is in place before a new development is built nearby, the developer is responsible for soundproofing against noise.
An amended version of the Planning (Scotland) Bill was passed into law on 21 June, which included the agent of change principle as well as four other references to culture. The other references require culture to be considered in local development plans, town and county planning and the country’s National Planning Framework.
A group representing 50 arts organisations in Scotland called Culture Counts has welcomed the changes. Executive leader of Culture Counts Jennifer Hunter says: “The Planning (Scotland) Bill has recogni

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USA - Experts in hearing wellness at Sensaphonics recently held a Gold Circle Seminar in Chicago to promote hearing protection practices in the music industry.
Five audiologists from across the US learned the basics of live sound production along with insights on how to help musicians and sound engineers achieve both robust stage monitoring while retaining their long-term hearing health. Sensaphonics president, Dr. Michael Santucci and sound engineering consultant Joe Tessone of Mystery Street Recording Company, led the two-day seminar.
“One of the biggest issues with IEMs is that they aren’t covered in audiology school,” says Santucci. “The Gold Circle Seminar fills that gap by teaching how IEMs work, how they are used professionally, and how they can be used more safely. Where others offer vague suggestions on how to use in-ears safely, Sensaphonics remains u

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UK - AV and event production company Blitz has announced that it has added the Sennheiser Digital 6000 wireless microphone series to its inventory.
Blitz is also one of the first companies in the UK to add the SK6212 mini-bodypack transmitter to its inventory, meaning it now has an even greater offering for clients.
Both Blitz and Sennheiser recently worked in partnership, exhibiting at this year’s ABBT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace, and had their technical advisors on-hand to give visitors the chance to see the latest products and technology on offer and give advice to help sound designers and engineers boost the sound quality and reliability at events and shows.
Aron Ross, director of sound, at Blitz, comments: “We are delighted to be one of the first production companies in the UK to be able to offer our clients the very latest in sound technology from

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USA - Behind The Scenes (BTS) holiday cards are now on sale for 2019, the charity has announced.
All proceeds will benefit BTS, which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured.
Three card ordering options are being offered through the BTS Boutique, the charity’s online ordering facility. These are personalised cards, card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, and electronic/email versions.
Six new designs are featured this year. Scenic Art Studios has contributed designs by Irina Portnyagina and Athena Parella. Mount Vernon Senior High School is represented by Andreana Carlino and Alex Elmendorf. Perennial favorite Robert Mendoza is back and we are delighted to welcome Tupac Martir/Satore Studio.
Orders will be taken until 30 September and orders will be shipped by late November. View and ord

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El Salvador - Atlona has appointed TelNet S.A. as its distribution partner for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
TelNet will focus on growing Atlona’s presence throughout the region’s community of IT and networking integrators. A long-time Panduit representative, TelNet has built a large customer base in the telecom and datacom markets, where the company regularly supplies and designs network infrastructure and protection systems. TelNet has also fielded inquiries from integrators active in AV-leaning verticials such as higher education.
Sylvia Sierra, regional manager at TelNet S.A., comments: “We are hearing from many integrators and end users in schools and universities that want to manage their AV signals over the network, and our long-term relationship with Panduit makes Atlona a perfect fit for our business strategy. Atlona’s OmniStream AV o

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Spain - Chroma-Q has announced Grau Luminotecnia as a dealer of its LED Solutions in Spain.
Grau, founded in 1984, has been providing the latest technologies including, lighting, for the film and TV market for 35 years. Focusing on the needs of a constantly evolving market, Grau prides itself in providing leading edge technologies to its clients.
After trying out a number of products, Alfons Grau, owner of Grau Luminotecnia, recognised the potential of the Chroma-Q LED range, and how it can benefit customers. He comments: “We are very happy to have become a dealer of Chroma-Q, who has two of the leading LED battens in the market, the Color Force II and Studio Force II.”
In addition to the award-winning Color Force II and the Studio Force II, Grau is now a dealer of the full Chroma-Q LED Range, including the Space Force soft light, the Brute Force revolutionar

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Hungary - Chauvet has appointed Chromasound as its distributor in Hungary.
Chromasound will represent the Chauvet Professional, Chauvet DJ, and ChamSys lines of products. The Budapest-based company will support Chauvet’s sales effort with a strong commitment to customers service and education.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Chromasound on board,” comments Stéphane Gressier, international sales director of Chauvet. “Our company has made a major commitment to this market, and it’s great to have a service-driven, professional organization like Chromasound representing us. Working together, we will build on the momentum we’ve established in Hungary.
“The business philosophies of Chauvet and Chromasound are very much in line with one another,” adds Chauvet business development manager, Goran Doncic. “Both companies take a long-range view of b

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Belgium - Ruiselede-based event design and production company John & Jane in Ruiselede has added a fleet of Robe lighting fixtures to its inventory.
The company, which is run by Nico Laniere and Katrien Vermeire, specialises in corporate events but is also supplying technical production needs to a select alternative summer festivals. This work prompted the company’s most recent purchases of Robe lights: a total of 58 MegaPointes and 48 LEDBeam 150s.
The operation includes a technical production / scenic company Delta Rent, which works alongside and independent from John & Jane as required. They have been a steady investor in Robe moving lights from the start, in tune with their aspirations of supplying the very best and most innovative technology and services for their clients.
The new MegaPointes and LEDBeam 150s have been in constant use since arrivin

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Spain - London and Dubai-based event design, technical and scenic production company Maestra Group is opening an office in Barcelona this September.
The new base is being launched in response to Maestra’s increased involvement in live events across Europe, particularly in key areas of Spain, the South of France and the Italian Riviera. Maestra Barcelona will be located 20 minutes from the city centre and 10 minutes from El Prat International Airport.
Company directors Tom Clements and Justin Hammond will oversee the launch. Clements comments: “Strategically, it’s a great base for servicing events across the whole of Europe and ensuring that we stay competitive and dynamic in a fast-moving world of product launches, conferences and events.”
A multilingual team of seven experienced live events professionals will work across all departments at the Barcelona

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UK - Lighting equipment supplier and distributor TechLED has opened up its operational reach to encompass two new avenues of business.
The Wakefield-based company has incorporated LED supplier Ambience Lighting into its business framework and has also launched a hire division for specialist LED lighting products.
Operating from Production Park, the rental division will provide the facility to hire LED lighting fixtures, including products such as Luxibel moving heads or architectural floodlights, and Elation weather-proof Pixelbatons, across the UK, with or without specialist operators.
Ambience Lighting’s William Kirby, comments: “We’re excited to be working more closely with TechLED. Gordon’s technical ability and project management skills are second-to-none. We’ve worked together over many years and I’m looking forward to this next stage in our his

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UK - The PLASA Awards for Innovation 2019 are now open for entries from PLASA Show exhibitors. Products from all sectors of the entertainment technology industry are invited to be entered for the awards by 16 August.
Judged independently by a panel of industry experts, the Awards for Innovation are respected throughout the industry for recognising innovative new product design. All successful nominees will feature in the Innovation Gallery during PLASA Show from 15-17 September at London Olympia, culminating in a ceremony at the show on 16 September where the winner will be announced.
Product entries must demonstrate a new style of thinking, improve technical practice and safety, introduce new technology, materials or techniques, or offer new commercial advantages. Furthermore, an Award for Sustainability is reserved for products which achieve a significant reduction

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UK - Chroma-Q has celebrated 15 years of LED innovation with summer BBQs and open day events.
The events, held in the Northern and Southern offices of its UK dealer, A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET), provided an opportunity for Chroma-Q users, including lighting designers, specifiers, rental production companies and venues, to get hands-on with the latest fixtures.
The full Chroma-Q range was on display, including its film and broadcast portfolio, featuring the Space Force and Space Force onebytwo soft lights, the Studio Force II studio light, and the Brute Force quarter Wendy alternative.
In addition, the multi award-winning Color Force II cyc light and the Inspire range of colour changing LED house lights were also on show. The Vista 3 by Chroma-Q lighting and media control range of software and hardware solutions featured at the event as well.
The

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Belarus - Professional entertainment lighting manufacturer Prolights has appointed Kraftwerk Trade LLC as its distributor in Belarus.
The Minsk-based system integrator was founded in 2009 and has been involved in high-profile projects and installations, including the Chapel of St Christopher, Radisson Belarus and the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus.
Fabio Sorabella, managing director of Prolights, comments: “Kraftwerk’s extensive skill set and accomplishments make them the perfect distribution partner in Belarus. As previous customers, they understand our values, and we thoroughly look forward to continuing the fantastic working relationship.”
Ulyana Barkova, deputy commercial director, adds: “We’ve used Prolights products for a while now and have been amazed by the quality, output and level of service. We look forward to what

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South Africa - Germany’s KlotzAIShas has appointed DWR Distribution as its new distribution partner for South Africa.
Frederic Kromberg, director of international sales at Klotz, visited DWR in Johannesburg to secure the deal. “Klotz cables have been available in South Africa well over 15 years, but as a strongly solution-oriented company - especially with rental companies, installers and broadcasting markets - we are very excited to develop and expand our cable business in South Africa with the highly professional team of DWR. We believe this is a great opportunity for DWR to develop our extensive product range.”
Duncan Riley of DWR Distribution, says: “I knew of the Klotz brand and always admired the quality. But I really got a good feeling when I met Frederic and realised that their company was as people orientated as what we are. It’s an honour to be the

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Sweden - Astro Spatial Audio (ASA) has appointed Audile Electroacoustics AB as its official solutions partner for Sweden.
Audile will provide training and support whilst spearheading the expansion of Astro Spatial Audio’s brand-independent immersive audio technology into the country's entertainment sector.
“Our experience with these kinds of systems and the sonic evaluation of our trusted customers have all been clear that this is the best sounding platform on the market,” explains Mikael Collin, sales and project manager at Audile. “More or less all of the larger venues will be investing in this kind of technology to cope with future demands from productions so the number of possible installs over time is huge. We already have a lot of requests for demos.”
“We are both delighted and honoured to welcome Audile into our global family,” said Graham Mu

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UK - Brompton Technology has relaunched its website (www.bromptontech.com) which has “a new, modern look, an easy-to-navigate menu structure and extra features that provide a better overall user experience”.
“We wanted to ensure that the website reflects the easy to use, intuitive nature of Brompton’s LED processors and provides both useful and essential information in a much more user-friendly format than we had previously,” explains Brompton’s managing director, Richard Mead. “For example, in the 'Support' area, as well as the latest product information and downloads of the latest software, we have added a sign up page for our increasingly popular training programme, making it quick and simple to find out where and when courses are happening and reserve a place.
“This update is just the first phase, and we expect to add additional pages and functional

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Plastic Free - Sir David Attenborough took to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to praise festivalgoers for using less plastic. The naturalist appeared shortly before Kylie Minogue's set, and previewed some of his new TV series Seven Worlds, One Planet, which is due to air on BBC One later this year. Thousands of people had gathered for his unscheduled appearance.
"Those extraordinary marvellous sounds you've just been listening to were the sounds of the creatures that live in the sea and the great oceans. You may have heard some of them in a series that went out two years ago called Blue Planet 2," he said.
"There was one sequence in Blue Planet 2 which everyone seems to remember. It was one in which we showed what plastic has done to the creatures that live in the ocean. They have an extraordinary effect. And now, this great festival has gone plastic-free. That
  1. DiGiCo lands in the Caribbean
  2. Creative Technology acquires Ion Solutions
  3. Powersoft and Reyn Audio join forces in China
  4. Ayrton appoints distributor for GCC countries
  5. Legend Theatrical joins Prolyte as rental partner
  6. Robe announces Swiss distributor
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