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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

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Digigram, the innovator in digital audio network solutions, announced last week at AES 2002 in Los Angeles that Paul McClellan has been promoted to the position of worldwide marketing director. McClellan, currently business development manager for the North America-based Digigram Inc, will direct the marketing department at the company's headquarters in Montbonnot, France, in charge of strategic marketing and product planning.

"Paul's in-depth knowledge of Digigram's product line and his expertise in digital audio distribution and networking make him the ideal candidate to lead Digigram's marketing department," said Digigram managing director Philippe Delacroix. "As we penetrate the public address market and face new changes in broadcast infrastructure, Paul will make sure that our products meet and even anticipate market needs."

McClellan has been with Digigram f

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Creative Technology has expanded its management infrastructure with three new appointments. Announcing the changes, managing director Mark Elliott said the move will place CT in a firm position for the development of new business in both domestic and international markets, while further enhancing client and project handling at a high level.

Formerly with Gearhouse (and later MCL Birmingham), Chris Cox takes up a newly-created role as business development manager. He will liase closely with other CT offices worldwide and raise awareness among domestic blue chip companies operating in the exhibition and conference markets.

Another returning to the Avesco camp is account manager, Charlie Whittock. He formerly worked as a project manager with CT before moving to the United States seven years ago. While there he pursued a successful career as a freelance production manager, often working

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Alistair Smyth has been promoted to sales manager for Central Europe at the London office of automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc. David Catterall, managing director of High End Systems Europe, commented: "I am delighted that Alistair has successfully made the transition from technical support to sales. He brings a wealth of knowledge and existing customer relationships to his new position and this represents a very sound base for growth for him and the company in the future."

(Lee Baldock)

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Screenco have strengthened their position in the concert touring market with the recent appointment of Richard Shipman. Most recently with event video production specialists Black Pig, whom he left in June, Shipman was working in a freelance capacity with Oasis before joining Screenco this month.

Commenting on the appointment, Screenco director and general manager, Graham Filmer said: "Richard represents a significant addition to the company. As senior project engineer, he will boost our concert touring expertise - a sector of the industry in which he commands enormous respect - introducing a comprehensive skill set in video graphics, screen displays and projection technology, which will add a new dimension to our touring services." Richard said he was relishing the opportunity. "I will be bringing all my experience from touring and broadcast to the source of the image S

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Stage Electrics has appointed Chris Wroe as business development manager for television. Wroe brings with him a wealth of experience from his 14 years with Playlight Hire Ltd where he began his career as hire manager, subsequently rising through the ranks to become a part of the management team. He has an impressive portfolio and has taken to Stage Electrics an experienced technical team who will continue to support and fulfil projects from previous commitments.

The new appointment is part of a busy summer for Stage Electrics - it recently opened its tenth branch in Newcastle following its acquisition of the northern arm of Lighting Technology. Andy Elsegood and Davie Bell joined the company from Lighting Technology to work with customers based in the north of England.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Pixeon (formerly Bright Lighting) has announced that Claas Ernst has joined the company as the general manager of European Operations. Ernst's first days on the job were spent at the PLASA show in London, where the company's debut product, Color Stream, was launched to widespread acclaim and received a PLASA Award for Design Excellence.

Nils Thorjussen commented: "I'm thrilled to have Claas join our team. He's an outstanding individual and I couldn't think of a more qualified person to lead the charge in Europe. Based on the response at PLASA, I think he'll be quite busy!" Prior to joining Pixeon, Ernst spent seven years with High End Systems. Based in Pixeon's German office, his main goals will be the establishment of distribution channels for Pixeon's products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the building of relationships with lighting designers and consult

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Wlodek Sielski, director of business development with Digigram SA, is expanding Soundbits, his business development and marketing consultancy for the pro audio and broadcast industries, to cater for the converging and expanding world markets. To aid this expansion, he will leave his permanent position from 1 January 2003, while remaining as a key consultant.

Digigram’s co-founder and president of the executive board, Philippe Girard-Buttoz, commented: "Wlodek has been with Digigram for 15 years, and his extensive knowledge of the industry and understanding of the worldwide markets has been invaluable. He commands great industry respect and we are delighted to keep Wlodek/Soundbits as an important consultant. However, I understand his need to expand his own operation, and he is just the man to cater for the changes and needs of our fast-moving industry."

In the last

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Derek Power, the former general secretary of BADEM, died on Tuesday 22 October. As General Secretary of BADEM (the precursor to PLASA) at the end of the 1970s, he gave a collection of disco equipment manufacturers the self-belief to take their wares onto an international stage, and knock on the right government doors for funding and subsidy. He forged links with the British Overseas Trade Board, organized the first export missions, and as exhibition organizer, put the early BADEM Shows on a firm footing. Sartorially dressed in pinstriped suit and bowler hat, he had a fierce legal brain and wore the persona of the diplomat. This was hardly surprising. For 29 years, Power was a regular army officer, active in various parts of the world, including Korea in the 1950s. Gaining an army exhibition scholarship to Oxford, he read Equity and Jurisprudence, and on retirement planned to go to the Ba

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ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) presented its 2002 Eva Swan Award to Bill Groener, north-east regional vice-president of PRG, for his remarkable service to the Association over many years. The award was presented at ESTA’s Annual Dinner on Thursday, 17 October in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the LDI show.

The Eva Swan Award is presented to a member who has contributed exceptional efforts in time, expertise and personal resources on behalf of ESTA and who has been instrumental in shaping and promoting the direction of the Association. The 2002 Award was presented by Paul Vincent of Vincent Lighting Systems (a former Swan Award winner) who commented: "Bill became involved with the development of the Technical Standards Programme in its early days. Through his work on the Budget Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee, Bill helped raise funds t

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Eric Hanson has joined PRG as the director of business development, based in Chicago. Jere Harris, chairman and CEO of the Group, has welcomed the appointment: "Eric brings to PRG a wealth of experience serving trade show and corporate event clients. PRG currently serves a lot of trade show clients in that market, but we believe we have many additional opportunities for growth there. Eric will be leading our growth efforts." Hanson was formerly with Vari-Lite Production Services where he was a national sales manager responsible for trade show and corporate event clients.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Dave Rice has been appointed president of Cerwin Vega and KRK Systems. The appointment follows the Stanton Group’s successful bid for Cerwin Vega last month, and Mr. Rice will report directly to Gerard Cohen, president and CEO of the Stanton Group.

Immediate priorities will be to review the current business operations, establish the overall direction of the organizations and implement business programs and procedures to obtain maximum profits. Rice commented: "Cerwin Vega has been a household name for many years, synonymous with value and bass. It has broad brand recognition in just about every speaker category - mobile/car, hi-fi, multi-media and pro - but has limited market share. This is because during the last few years the company has not reverse engineered products that consumers were asking for, nor at the prices they were willing to pay."

He is confident that

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After many years with Trantec, Tim Riley has left to form his own company - Richmond Unicorn Ltd - with the aim of marketing and selling what he describes as "the value for money option in many market areas".

Riley has his venture with Smartwireless. "After so many years in the radio mic business, it's clear that there is a large chunk of the market that is never likely to be as brand aware as the large radio mic companies would have us believe." he says. "Certainly there are end users the world over that will settle for nothing less than the market leader but I'm hoping to exploit the vast section of pro audio consumers, schools and colleges, churches, pubs, clubs, karaoke, DJ, aerobics and countless others that will rarely if ever be influenced by the hundreds of thousands of pounds of marketing money spent on them." He continues: "These people neit

  1. Derek Power: funeral arrangements
  2. Rafael Anaya joins TMB Sales, LA
  3. New Entertainment Technology service
  4. Shure names new executive VP
  5. New appointments at the Music Managers Forum
  6. 5 Star Cases expands sales team
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