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Northern Light has announced the appointment of Simon Cooper as a project manager in its Special Projects Department. Previously with LTP for nine years, Cooper was instrumental in establishing and developing their project installation business. A specialist in production lighting and control systems, he’s been involved with many prestigious projects including the Albert Memorial, for which his control systems design won a Lighting Industry Award. His experience and expertise will prove invaluable at Northern Light, where initially he’ll be managing the production lighting installation at the London Coliseum. He will be based in Northern Light’s Reading office.

(Lee Baldock)

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Martin Professional, Inc has announced that Michael Nevitt, an authority on lighting control and a respected lighting designer, programmer and instructor, has joined Martin US as control products segment manager.

Nevitt’s network of contacts in the lighting design community will bring to Martin added input and exposure to the professional lighting console market. His main responsibility will be to provide sales, technical and training support for the company’s range of lighting control products with initial responsibility focused on launching Martin’s new professional console, Maxxyz, which hits the market in the coming weeks.

Among his wealth of experience in automated lighting, Nevitt was lead instructor at the Automated Lighting Academy in 2001 and has served as resident lighting designer for 13 seasons at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. H

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With two and a half years of technical sales at CIE Group behind him, Chris Fearn has moved to one of the company’s principal suppliers, Wharfedale Pro. In an expansion of the company’s sales force, Fearn becomes northern area sales manager, including Scotland, with responsibility for the installation market and MI markets. "This is an exciting time to be joining, with the launch of the powered EVP-S range, which is aimed at several different sectors of the market," said Fearn. "I will also be seeking to get the Programme 50 and Programme 52 more exposure in the installation market."

Prior to CIE, Chris Fearn worked in AV and domestic audio as part of a career that has so far spanned 12 years in the industry. Wharfedale Pro sales manager, Dean Davoile, commented: "This appointment is in line with our UK expansion strategy and will enable us to provi

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Just over a year ago Tomcat USA Inc opened its first regional distribution facility - Tomcat Las Vegas - and the success of that distribution and service centre has presented the opportunity to expand the products and services as well as the staff. Kevin Makalous joined the Tomcat Las Vegas team as the assistant US sales manager on 16 September. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Makalous has over 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. "Being a former customer of Tomcat’s and experiencing the quality and commitment to service the company offers, it was a natural fit," said Makalous. The Western Region sales manager and Makalous will be working together to ensure all the West Coast customers’ requirements are met aggressively and consistently.

(Lee Baldock)

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Apogee Sound International, manufacturer of state-of-the-art sound reinforcement products for the professional audio industry, has announced that Steven Walker has been named managing director, assuming full managerial responsibility for the company.

Walker joined Apogee Sound in February 2002 as general manager. Since then, he has re-directed Apogee's resources, accelerating new products and marketing initiatives, and implementing new manufacturing efficiencies and quality controls at the company's headquarters near San Francisco. Michael P. Fleischer, President of Bogen Communications Inc, the parent company of Apogee Sound, commented: "Our plan has always been to 'let Apogee be Apogee.' We're excited to have Steve dedicated to continuing and enhancing Apogee's reputation for making the finest professional loudspeaker systems in the world. Apogee Sound is in very capable hands.

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CKS Entertainment Systems, one of the UK’s fastest growing distributors of plasma screens, has strengthened its sales focus by expanding to a seven-strong team and appointing Geoff Stevens to the newly created role of sales director.

The new team brings a wealth of individual expertise within the sales and distribution sector. Stevens, previously general manager of the Battery Sales Group at Panasonic Industrial Europe UK, will head the division overseeing sales of all plasma and flat screen technology. He will be supported by three business managers, former CRT flat panel display and projector specialists, Mike Clayton and Geraldine Neilly, as well as Jit Mistry who, until recently, was an AV sales specialist for House of Fraser. Internal sales members Anne Evans, Andrea Horton and Hannah Clemo, complete the team.

The team will report to CKS Group managing director, Chris Ste

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Leading lighting supplier LCA (Lights, Camera, Action Ltd) has announced the addition of a new member to the team. Dave Short has taken the role of sales office manager at the Greenford office. Short has worked in the lighting industry for 15 years and was most recently at Lighting Technology Sales in London. Short commented: "I am very happy and excited to take this challenging role and am looking forward to working with a good team of people who are all dedicated to making LCA a success."

Nick Shapley, managing director of LCA, told us: "Dave has a vast wealth of knowledge and a lot of respect with colleagues in the industry. We are all very pleased to welcome him to the team."

(Lee Baldock)

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Shure Europe GmbH has named Ron Marchant as its new director of marketing for the European region. In his new capacity with Shure Europe, Marchant will oversee market development activities for 38 European countries.

"During the 10 months he has been working with us, Ron has done an outstanding job, and the results of his work are already beginning to be seen in the European markets," notes Markus Winkler, managing director of Shure Europe. "I’m convinced that the consolidation within the marketing department will help to continue our successful market development efforts throughout Europe, and we are fortunate to have a dedicated colleague like Ron to lead the way."

Other duties that come with Marchant’s new title include the development of a broad marketing plan for Europe, the definition of product positioning in the region, and the provision of inf

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In the wake of one of their busiest PLASA's ever, Stagetec has made two new appointments - Jonathan Adkins as project manager and Phil Cottle as sales and marketing executive. Jonathan Adkins comes to the company from Lighting Technology Projects where, for the past three years, he has gained extensive experience working on a diverse range of projects. He'll join the existing Stagetec Projects team headed by Matt Miles, and will be an active part of the collective effort to ensure the highest levels of service are maintained throughout the company's continued expansion.

Phil Cottle, meanwhile, will be responsible for co-ordinating Stagetec's regular newsletters and mailshots, keeping customers informed about promotions and special offers, maintaining the customer database and internal communications.

(Ruth Rossington)

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We have learned today that Jack (the hat) Nairn died yesterday after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Jack had worked for AC Lighting for over 20 years as the company driver and was well known within the industry.

AC's managing director David Leggett told us: "Jack had worked for AC Lighting for over 20 years as the company driver, but he was much more than this, he was an excellent Ambassador for AC Lighting and this was his 'official' title. Everyone who came into contact with Jack just loved him. He was dedicated to his job and even when in the very advanced stages of the disease, he still turned up for work. Everyone loved him for his wit. I remember being in an upmarket restaurant with him and the waiter asked him if he would like something from the sweet trolley. Jack replied in his soft Irish accent 'the wheels'. Jack was an excellent employee and friend. How h

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Electrosonic has announced the return of Nevil Bounds to the company as Senior Consultant, specialising in the corporate market. Nevil brings back to Electrosonic wide experience of the European audio-visual industry, in which he started when he was with the company between 1985 and 1991 and previously with Hammonds AV. Most recently, he was managing director of Dataton UK, where he developed projects with many core corporate clients.

Nevil is well-known to many suppliers and clients in the audio-visual and communications industry with a broad knowledge of the business, gained both in his previous employment with Electrosonic, and in subsequent years.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Automated lighting veteran Marcel Fairbairn has launched a new company called Gear-Source. Based in Penbroke Pines, Florida, the new operation will supply clients with professional lighting and control products from a range of manufacturers, including Martin Professional, High End, Coemar, Vari-Lite and ETC. The company will concentrate on offering used, discontinued or demonstration items, and Fairbairn intends to develop the product range in the future by adding audio, video and backline gear to the portfolio. Fairbairn is a familiar face in the industry having worked with Tracoman, High End Systems and Martin Professional.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Apogee Sound International has named Keith Vanderkley as director of North American sales, Eastern Region. Vanderkley assumes responsibility for Apogee's sales efforts east of the Mississippi in the United States, as well as in Ontario and the eastern provinces of Canada.

A former technical coordinator for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Vanderkley brings 30 years experience in live sound and recording to Apogee Sound. In 1996 he launched the audio equipment rep firm Vanderkley & Associates, which later merged with Core Products Inc of Canada, where he began his relationship as a rep for Apogee Sound.

Tim Thornton, director of North American sales, will concentrate on the sales territories in the western half of North America. "Keith's knowledge of products made him a great rep," Thornton comments, "and he'll make an even better national sales director."

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Des Fallon and Richard Burford have become directors and shareholders of XL Video UK, underlining their dedication and commitment to the company they've helped build. XL Video UK was formed in March 2000 by Chris Mounsor and Lee Spencer, and has gone on to become a market leader in the field of video production for all types of live events, festivals, concert tours and corporate presentations.

Working in conjunction with newly-opened identical operations in the USA and Germany, the UK operation supplies high impact, state-of-the-art digital video production, playback and display technology to the professional performance, entertainment and presentation industries. Sister companies in Belgium and North America provide LED screen solutions for major projects.

Live acts and events serviced this year by XL Video UK include Kylie Minogue, Travis, the Pop Idol tour, S-Club, Jamiroquai, San

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In order to keep pace with a continually increasing sales volume and product range, Vari-Lite Europe has expanded its sales team. The addition of Nick Blackman as regional sales manager will allow Vari-Lite to provide greater customer service to its independent worldwide sales dealers.

Blackman, who spent more than 10 years developing export sales with one of Europe’s leading lighting and lamp suppliers, is responsible for developing and increasing sales and Vari*Lite product awareness in the UK, Eire, France and the Middle East. "It’s wonderful to be working for the most respected name in the automated lighting industry," he commented. "Because Vari-Lite is still relatively new to the sales market, now is a particularly exciting time to join the company and contribute to its growth into new areas."

Nick’s previous experience in the markets for w

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Jonathan Hilton has been appointed as the product manager to head up the new Intralux division of the Light Projects Group. With many years experience in the lighting specification market, he will specialize in promoting this key range of products from one of Australia’s leading lighting companies.

Charlie Wadsworth, commercial director at Light Projects commented: "With a raft of diverse and impressive ranges, we need an adept and skilled manager to promote them. Jonathan joins us with a lot of experience and knowledge of the specification market." Hilton will be handling the 'Kove' range of fluorescent fittings; the 'Flare Wall Washer' range; the 'Slite' range for close proximity illumination; the 'Cog' range of exterior luminaires and Xenflex, the long-life xenon strip system.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Ken DeLoria, founder and president of Apogee Sound Incorporated, is to leave the company to pursue other interests. After 18 years of designing and providing leading-edge loudspeakers, amplifiers and other products for the pro audio industry, DeLoria will now concentrate on his ‘second career’ of consulting, commissioning, tuning and operating sound reinforcement systems for installations and events worldwide.

DeLoria commented: "During the years that I ran Apogee, I was fortunate to be able to help many clients achieve maximum performance of their sound systems by participating directly in system design, tuning, operator training and other hands-on tasks for a great number of permanent installations, shows and events, which was highly rewarding."

DeLoria is a veteran engineer of six Grammy Award shows, seven Academy Award shows, two Super Bowls, numerous Bro

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News of management changes comes from PSL, where Gary Davis now holds the position of vice-chairman, while David Barrass has joined the board as managing director. Gary Davis told us: "I have wanted to get closer to the business for a while and my new role will allow me to devote all of my time to developing relationships with existing and new customers. I still hold my position on the main board and will be heavily involved in the growth strategy for PSL."

Davis’ role as vice-chairman is a full-time role at PSL, focussing particularly on sales, marketing and business development. David Barrass’ appointment is intended to further strengthen the existing management team by adding a wider general management skill-set, gained from many years working at the most senior levels in various service businesses. Most recently, Barrass was European MD for Allied Worldwide In

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Turbosound Ltd, the British-based manufacturer of live performance and installed-sound loudspeaker systems, announces the appointment of Dominic Harter as the company's new UK & Eire Sales Manager. Previously with BSS Audio, Dominic brings to the company a wealth of sales and customer-support experience in the sound reinforcement market, with specific emphasis on installed and touring applications.

Dominic is responsible for liaison with existing customers and developing new business throughout Turbosound's home territory. He joined Turbosound during the PLASA 2002 exhibition in September, and explained: "Loudspeaker technology is one end of the signal chain that I was very keen to learn more about, and as there is such a good vibe about Turbosound in the market at the moment, this was an opportunity that I felt I just couldn't miss. It was particularly interesting to join the com

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Avesco Plc has announced the reorganization of the senior management structure of its audio-visual services business, following the establishment of CT Germany. Graham Andrews will head up a new division incorporating all the Creative Technology-branded audio-visual businesses in the UK, USA and Germany, as well as Screenco and Dimension.

MCL, Avesco’s full service audio-visual operation in the UK based in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, will report directly to David Nicholson, Avesco’s chief executive, as will the CT OB outside broadcast business. Graham Andrews commented: "This is the right time to bring together these businesses as many of our customers are seeking a global service solution. This is an exciting opportunity to drive that further forward. Also there is more we can do on equipment sharing in this new division. We are ordering sub

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Peavey Electronics Corporation has announced the promotion of Jim Beaugez to marketing communications coordinator. Beaugez will handle all marketing communications and public relations responsibilities for Peavey Electronics and its Architectural Acoustics and MediaMatrix divisions. Prior to his tenure at Peavey, he worked in newspaper and magazine journalism and the public/media relations field, where he gained experience in writing, editing and marketing.

Beaugez returned to the music industry and his home state of Mississippi in April 2002 to take the position of copywriter/editor with Peavey Electronics. He sees his new marketing communications position as 'an opportunity to combine my personal and professional interests into a long-term career with the world’s leading manufacturer of musical instruments and professional audio products.'

Hartley Peavey comments: "Jim

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Australian companies Lightmoves, Brown’s Precision Welding and Resolution X have welcomed Sam Redston as marketing and business development manager. Redston’s background encompasses 10 years in the entertainment and event industry, with a particular emphasis in the field of lighting, and more recently he has been involved in full-time study.

Whilst the three specialist companies operate as independent businesses, they can offer a complete solution to clients in every field of lighting and entertainment technology. Redston’s role will include the national business development of Brown’s Precision Welding and Resolution X and overall marketing management.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Randy Mayer has recently been promoted to the position of regional account manager for Western US and Western Canada for automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc. Mayer joined HES in August 2000 as inside sales rep for the West Coast, and was based in the Austin, Texas headquarters. He moved to the Los Angeles office in December 2001. HES also announce that Autumn Brokaw has recently taken on the title of inside sales rep for the Western US and Western Canada. She joined HES in January as the assistant to John Wiseman, VP of worldwide sales.

Says Wiseman: "These two well deserved promotions follow Mike Hanson's promotion (HES/FPS LA technical support manager) last month to round out the sales and support of our valued resellers and end users on the West Coast of the Americas. The Los Angeles office has never been in a better position to provide the 24/7 service and sup

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Bandit Lites Inc has appointment of two new salespeople to its Nashville, Tennessee operations. Jack Huntoon joins the Bandit Staff as senior sales consultant and Jonathan Pounds takes over the role of inside sales representative. Both come with a background in the industry and re-affirm Bandit’s commitment to the sales and fixed installations market.

Jack Huntoon returns to Bandit after several years in the electrical equipment market. Jack was a Bandit from 1983-1986 when he toured with Alabama and a then small upstart band from Georgia called R.E.M. He left Bandit to pursue his degree in economics, which he attained from the University of Memphis. Huntoon says of Bandit: "It’s great to be back with a company as dedicated to its people and its craft as Bandit is, I am really excited to be here."

Jonathan Pounds joins the Bandit team as the inside sales repres

  1. Digigram SA promotes McClellan
  2. New appointments at Creative Technology
  3. Alistair Smyth named HES sales manager Central Europe
  4. Screenco appoints Richard Shipman
  5. Chris Wroe joins Stage Electrics
  6. Claas Ernst joins Pixeon
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