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Following our news story last week on the death of Derek Power, we now understand that his funeral will take place at midday this coming Friday at St Mary's Church, Callington, Cornwall. Flowers have specifically not been requested in favour of a collection at the service for the benefit of the church itself.

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Rafael Anaya has joined TMB's LA sales department. Anaya, originally from Mexico, has an associate’s degree in electronics with a wide background in the repair and maintenance of electrical/optical/mechanical equipment of all kinds. Beginning in the medical equipment industry, his career eventually led him to the position of chief technician, then South American sales director for MoboLaser, which allowed him to develop a relationship with TMB: "I spent a lot of time with The Three Amigos [Colin Waters, Tommy Stephenson and Jaime Duarte] out on the tradeshow circuit. They really are great guys." When Rafael sought new challenges in his career, TMB seemed the perfect fit.

"Rafael proved himself to TMB as a vendor; working with all kinds of technically complex products and helping us take really good care of our customers. Once the discussion about him joining us sta

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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Veteran entertainment industry writer, photographer, publicist and designer, Cat Strom (Forcer), has announced the launch of a new entertainment technology service: Catriona Strom Design. The company aims to deliver a complete design, content and production package, including graphic design, web design, editorial content, photography and website maintenance, or any one of those services as required.

Should you need a media release, photographs of your project or production (digital or traditional), web site design or content updates, a newsletter (electronic or printed), a product brochure or a magazine ad, this new venture offers a comprehensive range of highly-integrated publicity and promotion services for entertainment technology businesses - from someone who knows the industry.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Michael J. McGinn has joined Shure Incorporated as the company's executive vice-president of global marketing and sales. With over 25 years of international experience in both consumer and business-to-business marketing and sales at Ecolab and Eastman Kodak, McGinn has held a number of executive-level positions around the world. As part of his new responsibilities at Shure, McGinn will lend direction to product marketing, marketing communications, artist relations, market development, and sales around the world. He will additionally oversee customer service, credit, product distribution, and service operations, all on a global level as well.

McGinn's goals in coming months include continuing to build sustainable and profitable growth for Shure and giving unified structure to sales and marketing efforts around the world. "This position is exactly what I was looking for," he pr

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The Music Managers Forum (MMF) has appointed John Glover as its new chairman. He replaces outgoing chairman Keith Harris and will be assisted during his tenure by Phil Nelson, who has been re-appointed vice-chairman. The announcement comes after a successful AGM, which was held in early November at the offices of Willott Kingston Smith in London's Regent Street.

As a well-known and respected music industry manager, John Glover brings a wealth of experience to the role of MMF chairman - a position he last held four years ago. A manager for over 30 years, Glover has been involved in the careers of Free, Mott The Hoople, Jim Capaldi, Joe Brown, Paul Kossoff and, more recently, Victoria Beckham. His company, Blueprint Management currently represents Tony Hadley, Go West, Beverley Craven, Alison Limerick and Outbreak. He is also a board member of the British Music Centre and sits on the boa

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5 Star Cases, the Cambridgeshire-based flightcase manufacturer, has expanded its sales team with two new members. As from 1 November, Andy Harford has been appointed to look after all 5 Star's retail sales. This is Harford’s second spell at the company, having previously worked for 5 Star as a sales manager on the road. Harford will be mainly office-based, but is available to make visits to customers if required. Harford has a wide knowledge of the DJ Market, being a part-time DJ himself.

The latest addition to the sales team is Dave Peacock: based in Manchester and starting on 6 January 2003, Peacock will become 5 Star's North West sales manager. With 14 years’ experience in every aspect of the flightcase industry, having worked for BSH Transit cases and Condor, Peacock will aim to improve service and support to 5 Star’s existing customers whilst developing new conta

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Scott Church joins Selecon Performance Lighting from December 2002, as regional sales manager, based in an office near Baltimore, Maryland. Church comes to Selecon with extensive sales and lighting industry experiences. His most recent position was sales manager for Baltimore Stage Lighting Inc, where he spent more than 15 years. He has also held positions in the past with Scandinavian World Cruises, US DOD/USO (Department of Defense/United Service Organization) tours and many other technical and entertainment positions.

Church said: "The innovative products, knowledgeable factory staff and excellent growth potential made it an easy decision to join. I hope to create long-term relationships with our dedicated dealers, architects, designers and many others."

Selecon's Jeremy Collins commented: "Scott joining the Selecon team is a further step in bringing to the US marke

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Coe-tech/Robe UK's active sales team continues to expand with the addition of David Linger as sales manager. He will be based on the road and at Coe-tech's HQ in Northampton. Linger has worked in the moving light business for the past decade, most recently as sales director of one of the UK's leading manufacturers - MAD. Previous to that, he was at Coe-tech, and brings his considerable technical and industry experience back to familiar territory.

At Coe-tech/Robe UK, Linger will be working with the extensive Robe Showlighting product range, for which Coe-tech is the exclusive UK distributor. The Robe range was instrumental in Linger's move: "I saw the fixtures at PLASA and thought they were excellent in every way," he commented. "I knew this was the right company and the products into which to plough my energy, and I'm very pleased to be back on board with Coe-tech.&quo

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After a busy 12 months which has seen Total Fabrications Ltd (TFL) provide stage sets for artists including Kylie Minogue, S Club 7 and the Commonwealth Games, to name just three, the time has come, say the company, to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of one Neil Darracott.

"Technical Director is a role of increasing responsibilities," said TFL’s managing director Chris Cronin of Darracott’s new appointment, "one that requires both qualifications and understanding. TFL has always striven to place safety at the core of everything we do, from manufacturing process through to utilization of the finished product. Since Neil first came on board to develop T2 as an entirely new concept for the trussing industry, he has contributed heavily to establishing standards in unique areas. He’s simply the ideal man for the job."

Darracott, besides being a we

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Audio-visual supplier, Music Marketing Services Ltd, has made a new appointment within its sales team. Alex Peacock, formerly the founder of technical support company, Capital Service, is to head up Music Marketing’s new specialist division which deals exclusively with the Health and Fitness industry.

In his previous role as operations manager with Capital Service, Peacock gained extensive experience in providing entertainment products to the health and fitness sector, managing the installation and service of complete systems for many of the largest operators in the marketplace. In addition to the wealth of specialist knowledge he brings, he has also secured dealership agreements for Cardio Theater and PumpStation products which Music Marketing Services is offering alongside its existing range of audio visual equipment.

The new Health and Fitness Division constitutes a natural

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Jonathan Adkins has returned to Lighting Technology Projects Ltd (LTP). Terry Reeves, general manager of LTP stated: "Jonathan’s departure from LTP, in advance of its acquisition by the PAI Group, left a void in the organization’s skill base. Everybody within the PAI group and Jonathan’s customers are extremely pleased he has chosen to return to the fold." Paul Adams, chairman of the PAI Group, added: "We are pleased to have Jonathan joining us, and know that he will prove an invaluable asset to both LTP and the PAI Group."

(Ruth Rossington)

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Owen Wynn-Jones has joined HW International as sales and technical co-ordinator. He was previously employed at the London branch of LMC Audio Systems, where, during his five years with the company, he reached the heady heights of assistant sales manager. At HW, he will be acting as a support between the sales desk and the area sales managers coordinating his skills and knowledge of various markets and applications.

(Ruth Rossington)

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The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has announced the election results for its 2003 Board of Directors. The new directors are: Mark West, re-elected as Affiliate Vice President (President, Downhome Productions); Rick Rudolph, re-elected as Dealer Director (Vice President, Stage Equipment & Lighting, Inc.); Fred Mikeska, elected as Manufacturer Director (Marketing Manager, Creative Stage Lighting Co., Inc.); and Greg Meeh, elected as Affiliate Director (CEO, Jauchem & Meeh, Inc.).

In addition, Cindi Manning of Vincent Lighting Systems has been appointed to fill the recently vacated position of Dealer Vice President and Patrick O’Rourke of Big Apple Lights has been appointed to fill the remaining two years of Cindi’s previously held position of Dealer Director. ESTA has also paid tribute to two long-time and highly effective Board members - Beverly In

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Martin Professional has appointed Mark Frihagen as international business development manager for Jem smoke machines.

The role is a new position created in order to further develop sales of the Jem product range. The position, effective as of November 18, involves the sale, marketing and development of Jem products worldwide. Frihagen has been sales manager for Traded Goods at the Martin Professional headquarters in Denmark for the past two years, a role he has successfully expanded and made profitable. His skills are expected to help Jem develop in new directions, creating success and profitability in Martin’s entertainment smoke segment.

Jem is one of the leading producers of entertainment smoke products with a product line that includes smoke, haze and heavy fog machines, as well as a complete line of fog fluid and accessories. The Jem product line is developed and manufac

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Specialist audio-visual company, Blitz, has appointed Rob Piddington, as new sales manager to Blitz Vision. Piddington will be responsible for helping to ensure that the division is successful in meeting a number of key sales targets set for next year. His main focus is on long-term strategy aimed at breaking into several new market areas. Reporting to sales director Andy Watterston, he also takes charge of developing and restructuring the sales team and managing the ongoing sales drive.

Having spent the last 18 years within the sales and marketing environment, he is ideally suited to the role. Prior to joining Blitz Vision, he spent 15 months as sales director at Autograph Sales Ltd. Previously he was at Sennheiser UK for 10 years, six of which he spent as sales and marketingmanager. Andy Watterston, sales director of Blitz Vision, told us: "Our appointment of Rob reflects the

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The ATI Group has expanded the role of service manager Richard Josephs in order to keep pace with expanding sales and changing customer demands. The company has also announced that engineer/designer Shane Morris will depart the organization as of 1 January 2003. As a 10-year veteran of the ATI Group, Josephs has been involved in providing full service for Paragon customers. His new responsibilities include playing an even greater, more hands-on role in ensuring that customers receive stellar service, expertise and technical guidance.

According to ATI Group president Larry Droppa, sales of the Paragon monitor and the Paragon production console are brisk and expanding, and the company's growth potential will only be improved by the change. "The Paragons are still at an early point in their product life cycle," notes Droppa. "We intend to be selling these consoles for many

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ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls Inc) has promoted Dick Titus to the new title of President. Titus has held directorship and executive positions at ETC for over 13 years, including his most recent tenure under the title of Chief Operating Officer, from 1997 to 2002. Titus is credited with improving the efficiency and productivity of internal operations, focusing factory efforts and helping to develop ETC's quality system.

According to founder and ETC Chief Executive Officer Fred Foster: "This change in title truly acknowledges and honours Dick's role in managing and directing ETC. At a time when many companies have struggled with the challenges of a waning economy, ETC has prevailed and become even stronger. Dick has helped make these things happen."

Foster meanwhile continues his unchanged role as ETC CEO, leading the company's strategic development and concentrating on p

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The Klark Teknik Group has announced the appointment of John Oakley to the position of managing director with immediate effect.

According to Mathias von Heydekampf, president of the Telex Pro Audio Group worldwide, Oakley brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to the Klark Teknik and Midas brands. "He joins the group from a long and varied career within Harman, and comes from a strong technical, as well as managerial, background, and thus is ideally placed to take up the reins at Klark Teknik. We are delighted to welcome him to the team."

John Oakley is also looking forward to his new role. "This is a very exciting time to be joining the Klark Teknik Group," he stated. "Midas has very strong product lines in the Venice, Legend, Heritage and XL4 consoles and continues to go from strength to strength. At the same time Klark Teknik is in the mids

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Keith Owen is to leave the Production Services Association (PSA) in the New Year. He will step down from his role as trade association manager in order to launch a design company which will supply 'practicals' and special projects to the entertainment, TV and film industries. It’s a return to a role he undertook for 20 years before joining the PSA. There will be continuity for the PSA in the shape of Julian Walden, an experienced events person, who will now work closely with the PSA Council.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Biamp Systems is expanding its European Division with the addition of Romano Cunsolo, who will perform the duties of regional manager for select countries in the division. Graeme Harrison, vice-president of international sales for Biamp, explained the move: "Ian Hodgkinson, our current European regional manager, has done a great job in increasing our presence in these markets during the last four years, and our forecast of our future growth in Europe necessitates the addition of a second regional manager. We feel that Romano has excellent sales and technical expertise and has the added ability of speaking five languages, which always aids in business communications. We are very pleased that Romano elected to join our organization."

Romano Cunsolo most recently was with EVI Audio where he held a variety of posts and was the European Sales Manager for Electro-Voice and Dynacord

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The latest addition to TMB’s LA sales department is Barbara Barnum, who has previously worked as a service technician at High End Systems and Gemini Stage Lighting, a pyrotechnician at Pyrotex and a lighting designer/CAD operator at Intelecon. TMB tell us Barnum is into snorkeling, dirt biking, kayaking, hiking, climbing, rollerblading, rock collecting and Sponge Bob Square Pants, and is the owner of a 130 horsepower Aprilia Tuono-R motorcycle.

It was just this balance of technical experience, intelligence and bravado that TMB was looking for: lured by TMB’s culture of ‘Fun is Profitable’, Barbara made the move from Dallas to Los Angeles. She has quickly become TMB LA’s resident expert on moving lights, controllers, CAD and image manipulation systems such as Catalyst and RADLite.

Tommy Stephenson, TMB’s sales manager, comments: "The consensus

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Denmark - Martin Professional Inc's long-time head of marketing, AnnaLise Laundrup, is joining the company's International Exhibitions Department as of January, 2003. The move is designed to reinforce the company's activities at both US and international trade shows. AnnaLise joined Martin's then distributor Tracoman (which later became Martin's largest subsidiary, Martin Professional, Inc.) in April of 1996. She brings to the position nearly seven years of industry experience and a large network of industry connections, plus a broad knowledge of lighting industry exhibitions, having been actively involved in trade shows in both the US and abroad for years.

Martin's international exhibitions manager, Per Lundgaard, comments: "With the entertainment industry's continued growth and our architectural division's expanding activities, we constantly face new challenges in ensurin

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UK - Industry specialist Mike Mann has joined professional audio distributor Autograph Sales in the newly-created role of technical manager, providing pre- and post-sales support to customers as well as technical training to Autograph Sales staff. Mann will have particular responsibility for Meyer Sound MAPP Online and SIM software, Clear-Com Matrix Plus intercom systems and BSS Soundweb DSP networking systems. He will also be working closely with customers and consultants on larger projects to provide technical solutions, handholding new system owners and troubleshooting in the field.

Mann has amassed a wide range of experience since he started his career as a sound technician at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1987. Particularly relevant to his new role is a stint running the European office for Meyer Sound, whose high quality loudspeakers are Autograph Sales' longest

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UK - Mackie Designs has appointed Martin Warr as head of UK operations, with responsibility for sales, marketing and administration for all brands, including Mackie, EAW, RCF and Soundscape. Warr, who is no stranger to the digital recording industry, has worked with the Mackie brand for over six years, firstly with Key Audio and then joining Mackie UK in 1997. Prior to that he'd spent two years as a product manager with Soundcraft.

Speaking of the appointment, Warr said: "I'm very much looking forward to working with all these major brands. In taking them to the marketplace, I aim to build even closer ties with all of our distributors both in MI and contracting."

Tony Williams, Mackie director of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented: "I'm confident that Martin will take forward the business in all areas during the coming year. We are at present re

  1. Caroline Moss joins Faith Communications
  2. Forbes-Black joins Columbus McKinnon
  3. McKenzie Group appoints new GM for Glasgow Academy
  4. Graham Thomas joins XLFX
  5. L-Acoustics welcomes Dalle and Ecalle
  6. An Evening for Gus and Sheila Dudgeon
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Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
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