South Africa - DWR Distribution has been appointed as the sole distributor of Magnimage display control solutions for the South African market. Magnimage specialises in manufacturing display control solutions for LED/LCD and DLP displays. The company’s comprehensive range of display control solutions have been successfully deployed for a range of applications, including for large-scale video walls for the eventing industry, permanent installations in entertainment venues, as well as for the out-of-home advertising, education and corporate markets. “Magnimage’s range of consoles, scalers, switchers and processors are well-suited to the South African market, where technical service providers want high-quality products at an affordable price,” says Lee Harry, sales supervisor at Magnimage. “Our products are used extensively by the government and other high-prof
Singapore - Calibre UK has reported that Absolute AV, its newly-appointed distributor for Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar, is already living up to both companies’ hopes for the relationship. Singapore-headquartered Absolute AV carries the full range of Calibre’s solutions, including the multi-award-winning AiO LED display, the company’s family of scaler/switchers and the SmartBrick modular LED system with its almost limitless opportunities for creativity. “We’re delighted with the progress that Absolute AV has made over the past few months,” comments Willy Tsai, managing director of Calibre UK. “We knew that, with their core business and expertise in delivering great images, they would be an excellent fit for us - and that’s how it is turning out. “Our solutions for image processing, together with our range of displays are highly complementary t
Austria - MEET 2020 is taking place on 10-11 November 2020 at Messe Wien, Vienna. The tradeshow and conference for the event and live entertainment technology industry has been held in Austria biannually since 1989. Over 30 years, the shows and conferences have attracted professionals, not only from Austria, but also from neighbouring countries. MEET 2020 is directly organised by the Austrian Theatre Technical Association (Österreichische Theatertechnische Gesellschaft) OETHG - an event run by the industry for the industry. The MEET 2020 show floor presents a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers of live entertainment machinery and AV equipment, scenery producers, costume- and makeup suppliers, training institutions, as well as consultants, service providers and distributors of international brands. The MEET 2020 seminars and conferences are an imp
Brazil - Gobos do Brasil has been appointed as the Brazil distributor for Martin Audio. Gobos has been in business since 2002 and distributes to a variety of customers in the live event, installation and rental markets. Located in Sao Paulo, Gobos distributes a range of leading brands including Audix, Clear-Com, Sunlite and Cambridge Sound Management, to name a few. Esteban Risso, Gobos commercial director, comments: “It’s a great time for us to join in this new partnership with Martin Audio in Brazil with some of our key partners like Gabisom already using their products such as MLA at Rock in Rio, one of the biggest festivals in the country. We look forward to a great journey with Martin Audio based on the new era of products such as Wavefront Precision loudspeakers, not only for touring but also for Installations and retail establishments.” Berenice Gut
Italy - Harman Professional Solutions has announced Exhibo as the distributor for Martin by Harman in Italy. “Exhibo is a world-class company with a strong legacy and deep understanding of the market needs in Italy,” said Michael Grandon Clouet, senior regional sales director at Harman Professional Solutions, EMEA. “It is for this reason, appointing Exhibo as our lighting distributor allows Harman to increase Martin’s presence while improving customer service in the region. We couldn’t be happier with this new partnership and the excellence that the Exhibo team will bring representing our products to customers.” “For more than 30 years, Martin lighting has been innovating the way people visually experience live performances, landmarks and enterprises with selection of high-quality fixtures used the world over,” says Alessandro Fantin, pro & broadca
UK - SSE Audio Group and its parent company Solotech have announced a new unified UK organisational structure aligned with Solotech’s global structure. As of 1 January 2020, SSE Audio, Wigwam, Capital Sound and BCS Audio will be collectively known as Solotech UK, under the new joint leadership of managing directors Alex Penn and Spencer Beard. Alex Penn, SSE Audio’s former sales director, will lead the sales and systems integration (sales and installations) operations of Solotech UK. Spencer Beard, formerly managing director of Manchester-based Wigwam, will lead the live productions (hire) operations of the UK group. The move will see both Penn and Beard integrated into Solotech’s global senior management team. Meanwhile, SSE Audio founder John Penn remains within the new Solotech UK structure as strategic advisor. John Penn comments: “After all these yea
Record Breaker - At the American Music Awards, Taylor Swift was presented with the Artist of the Decade award by singer-songwriter Carole King who commended Swift for the strength of her lyrics, and the relatability of her music, predicting: "The best is yet to come." In turn, Swift acknowledged the impact King's music had had on her parents and her family, saying it was every musician's goal "to create something that will last". The career-spanning honour wasn't Swift's only award at the ceremony - she picked up another five competitive awards, including artist of the year. That brings her total tally of AMA trophies to 29 - breaking a record held by Michael Jackson, who received 24 American Music Awards. Secondary Ticketing - Andrew Lloyd Webber is joining forces with ticket resellers Twickets in a bid to beat touts. The theatrical grandee, whose LW playhouses
Mexico - Atlona, a Panduit company, has appointed Grupo ABSA as its commercial AV distribution partner across a broad swath of Mexico, covering 14 major metropolitan regions including Chihuahua, Guadalajara, Juarez, Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana. Grupo ABSA will focus on growing Atlona’s brand recognition and market share with a large community of IT and networking consultants and integrators that increasingly require networked AV solutions for end user projects. “There is a unification of many different platforms on IP networks that is taking shape, and Atlona will play a fundamental role in how our customers transition AV operations to the network,” says Carlos Garcia Ramirez, commercial director for Grupo ABSA. “With solutions like OmniStream for audio and video distribution and Velocity for networked control, Atlona brings in the systems intelligence a
UK - PLASA has launched an audio mixing competition, with pro audio prizes at stake. The contest, which runs until 13 January 2020, is open to sound mixing enthusiasts and professionals alike. It is a continuation of the Stage to Studio initiative held at the PLASA Show 2019 that saw emerging artist VC Pines perform live while being recorded by sound engineer Jamie McEvoy. There are two categories - Best Original Mix and Best Alternative Mix - with the winners set to receive prizes provided by Genelec and Shure. To obtain the original multi-track files, participants need to complete a short form on the PLASA Show website and email their final mix to info@plasashow.com. Each entry will be judged by representatives from Headliner and Sound on Sound magazines, Genelec, Shure, Miloco Studios, PLASA and VC Pines himself. To find out more
The Netherlandds - For over 25 years, Story Event Engineering has been a reliable reference point for event and location organisers in the Netherlands, with a portfolio ranging from large outdoor festivals through corporate events, to theatre tours and intimate classical concerts. The company recently invested in Outline’s Newton multi-source audio processor which combines ‘WFIR’ filtering technology, multi-format audio signal routing, simultaneous multiple standard conversion and digital signal synchronisation in a single 1RU chassis. Martin van Kouwen, sales specialist at Ampco Flashlight Sales, Outline Newton distributor for Benelux, comments: "Outline’s recently-developed Newton is a ground-breaking product for advanced audio processing, which, due to its characteristics and quality, is ideally suited to audio professionals who place great importance in qua
South Africa - AV and Beyond, a full-service technical events supplier, has recently invested in an L-Acoustics Kara professional sound system, purchased from DWR Distribution. Over the past six years, the AV and Beyond team has successfully serviced a wide range of corporate and entertainment events for an impressive list of high-profile clients, establishing a reputation for excellence, customer service and creative brilliance in the process. Company founder and MD, Warren Freidin, explains that AV and Beyond aims to provide clients with comprehensive turn-key technical solutions for their events. The company has built its service offering around the client’s needs and has all of the skills and resources at hand so that clientele can use a single service provider for a seamless eventing experience. “AV and Beyond is a rapidly growing company and, having co
USA - At last week’s LDI 2019 tradeshow in Las Vegas, Prolights unveiled a new logo, brand design, and website. The rebrand marks the beginning of a new era for the Italian lighting manufacturer, which exhibited on a dedicated booth at LDI for the first time. Prolights’ logo features a prism design and ‘has been reduced to its essential elements, adding the yellow touch which represents the colour of the light’. A dedicated website (prolights.it) was also launched, offering a modern look and intuitive browsing on any platform. “The new brand design marks the start of the new era for Prolights,” comments Fabio Sorabella, managing director. “By formulating new content and with new products, the brand is undergoing an essential transformation towards a future with higher technological contents and the internalization of our company. Now is the right t
USA - ETC continued its commitment to caring for entertainment technology professionals in need by presenting a cheque to Behind the Scenes during LDI for $23,628.98. This represented the most recent proceeds from the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) applications. Since the launch of the iRFR in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have now generated over $390,000 in donations. The iRFR and aRFR mobile apps enable convenient, touchscreen-based remote control for Eos family consoles and controllers. You can learn more about the apps from the ETC website and download them from the iTunes or Google Play stores. “We never imagined that this app would provide such continuous support to Behind the Scenes. ETC is grateful to all the people who have supported the Eos platform and purchased this app over the years,” comments Wendy Orfan, marketing communications m
USA - The winners of the second annual Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA) ceremony have been announced. The event, which took place at The Joint in The Hard Rock Hotel on Friday, 22 November, saw almost 400 industry professionals celebrate the creative talents of lighting and video designers. Following an indoor drone display courtesy of Verity Studios, 26 designers were "knighted" for their work on productions in the Theatre, Live for Broadcast and Concert Touring & Events categories. These awards were followed by the presentation of the Paky Lifetime Recognition Award created by co-headline sponsor Claypaky.
The 2019 KOI-USA winners are as follows:
Theatre The Notch Award for Projection Design: Roma Flowers for A Bon Coeur The ETC Award for Dance: Brandon Stirling Baker for Reflections The Al
UK - Lighting control manufacturer Zero 88 has launched a new website, www.zero88.com, complete with a modern design and a host of relevant product, project and general information that’s quick and easy to navigate. The site is optimised for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops, with embedded product overviews and training videos organised in a user-friendly layout. Finding and downloading the latest software versions is now more straightforward, and users can also download the back catalogue of software releases - a useful resource to aid showfile compatibility. Zero 88 product manager Jon Hole, who is part of the team driving the development of the new portal, comments: “The website has been designed to meet the needs of today’s end-users, including lighting creatives and specifiers who are regularly accessing the internet on the move using mobile hand-h
Ireland - Stage Electrics has won a £2m contract for the Grangegorman campus East Quad at TU Dublin, Ireland’s first Technological University. The new campus, part of a wider development at TU Dublin, will provide learning and teaching facilities as well as dedicated space for research technology. The East Quad buildings include the schools of art, design and printing, conservatory of music and drama, and media. Stage Electrics is supplying full lighting, sound communication and audio-visual systems to a 400-seat rehearsal hall, a recital hall, a performance hall, a black box theatre, TV studios, and post-production studios throughout the building. Work will commence on site shortly and is expected to be completed by late spring 2020. (Jim Evans)
USA - disguise has announced a partnership with Evolve Media Group as the latest rental and sales partner in the US. Evolve is a technology-focused company that provides its suite of services exclusively to the live event industry. The US-based company offers three key services comprised of rental, sales and education through their Academy. “We are thrilled to welcome Evolve to the disguise global partner network as our newest rental and sales partner in the US. We are looking forward to working with them as they offer training in their Orlando and Las Vegas locations and help their existing customers to better understand how the disguise workflow can streamline their content management needs,” says Grif Palmer, VP sales and general manager for disguise Americas. Evolve CEO Tyler Mayne adds: “disguise media servers are not just requested but required by ma
Ukraine - Lighting manufacturer Prolights has appointed Light Converse as distributor for Ukraine. Founded in Kiev in 1997, Light Converse has developed strong relationships throughout the show lighting worlds, particularly in the world of stage, theatre, architectural and TV. Aleksandr Berenok, owner of Light Converse, comments: "Prolights has rapidly become an important landmark in this industry. Their can-do attitude and thirst for innovation are among the reasons why we decided to work alongside them. We have seen Prolights continually put exceptional customer support, personal customer relationships and high-quality products at the forefront and this completely aligns with how we operate. We look forward to a long and successful relationship as their distributor." Paolo Albani, international sales manager for Prolights, adds: "We are really proud to start workin
World - Live event staging company All Access has refreshed its visual identity - complete with a new logo and website - to better reflect the products and services it delivers. The rebrand includes a new logo with 'All Access' in red and black and the company's classic strapline 'All the time' placed underneath. "Many consider the original logo to be an icon in the industry and symbolic of quality," says the company in a statement. "However, just as the entertainment industry as a whole has evolved, All Access has evolved. The cleaner, more modern lines of their new logo are a better reflection of the brand today while paying homage to their past." The new website, allaccessinc.com, highlights All Access' five main markets - concert touring, festival staging, special events, sports and activations, and broadcast - and features a redesigned database for
Get Back - One of the live industry’s worst-kept secrets has been confirmed: Sir Paul McCartney will headline Glastonbury in 2020. The former Beatle will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday 27 June, a week after his 78th birthday. He last played the Somerset event in 2004, and organisers have long been keen to get him back for an encore. Next year will be Glastonbury's golden jubilee and co-organiser Emily Eavis says: “There really was no one that we wanted more for the 50th anniversary.” Together Again - Mötley Crüe are to reform for a stadium tour of the US - less than five years after they played what they said would be their final ever show. Def Leppard and Poison will join them, but dates and venues are yet to be announced. Before their supposed farewell tour in 2014-2015, the band had signed what they said was a "cessation of touring agreement"
UK - Following a successful trial, NEC Group Arenas (Arena Birmingham and Resorts World Arena) has committed to rolling out mental health First Aid support across a number of their shows. The Mental Health First Aiders, who are both employees of NEC Group and CBRE, will provide practical mental health reassurance and support on show nights for both audiences and fellow employees. Their help can range from providing a non-judgemental listening ear, to offering a space to relax or signposting to further support. So far, support has been offered at Ariana Grande at Arena Birmingham and Little Mix at Resorts World Arena, receiving a wealth of positive customer feedback. The NEC Group currently has 20 employees trained as MHFAs, with plans to roll out the initiative further across a number of upcoming shows. One customer who used the mental health service at Ariana Gr
UK - The aptly-named GreenHouse at Manchester’s MediaCityUK was the chosen setting for a Green-GO training workshop presented by audio, video and broadcast solutions specialist Canford. As the UK and Ireland’s distributor for the scalable, digital comms system since 2016, Canford has seen demand rise sharply in festivals, live events and broadcast applications. “The Canford team regularly delivers bespoke, on-site product demonstrations, both for new clients taking their first look at Green-GO, and for those who are already regular users but want to further explore the system’s more advanced possibilities,” explains Erika Dobie, BDM and Green-GO commercial manager at Canford. “Now, with Green-GO experiencing record-breaking demand, the time was right to host the very first UK Workshop event.” Held on 5 November, the packed workshop session attracted renta
Europe - Sixty82 has appointed European Tour Productions (ETP) as its exclusive distributor in Denmark. ETP's main competencies are project management, rental equipment and engineering for the experience industry. Since 1994, the company has carried out projects for organisations and firms in Denmark and abroad and has an extensive experience with cultural events of all sizes. "We chose to partner with ETP as they represent the strongest importing distributor in its territory, with a historical strength in the trussing and staging marketplace," says Sixty82 CEO Fokko Smeding. “This agreement further iterates both the company's enthusiasm to drive growth and extend relationships with its customers. With their extensive experience in the industry, we believe that the team at ETP is highly equipped to fulfil our customers' every need.” Date Jonkman, executive
UK - On 5 November, Bristol-based specialist installer Stage Electrics marked 40 years in business with a staff party held at Bristol Zoo. The company was formed in 1979 by a group of theatre lighting and sound equipment enthusiasts and has since grown from three staff to over 120 whilst amassing an impressive portfolio of sales and installations. Offering a range of services, including installation, product sales and testing, inspection and maintenance services, Stage Electrics has a sales team of over 20, including a field sales team. Its export business has also seen significant growth in recent years. “We tailored our service to suit our customers, who all have differing needs,” explains sales director, Anna Western. “Some clients like to see their contact person on a regular basis, while others like to have someone available on the end of the phone.
