USA - High End Systems (HES) has announced that John Wiseman has been promoted to the role of executive vice-president of business development. Formerly VP of worldwide sales, Wiseman will continue on at the company's Van Nuys, California office, with responsibilities for worldwide sales. HES CEO Frank Gordon comments: "This is a well-deserved promotion for John and an acknowledgment of his immeasurable contributions over the last few years to High End and Flying Pig Systems . . . we look to John to lead us into new markets as well as better servicing our existing designer and specifier base."
Meanwhile, at the company's HQ in Austin, Texas, returning HES veteran Grif Palmer has accepted the role of vice-president of Americas sales. Palmer reports to Wiseman and also manages sales operations. "There couldn't be a better time to return to High End," says Palme
USA - Gear-Source, the Florida-based lighting supply company set up by Marcel Fairbairn last autumn, has welcomed Cynthia Viteri to the position of Latin American business development. In this new role, Viteri is responsible for growth in Mexico and South America for both Gear-Source and AVR products.
At the same time, Gear-Source and AVR have announced that they have relocated to a new facility in Weston, Florida. The new contact address for the companies is: 1930-1 North Commerce Parkway, Weston, FL 33326, USA. Telephone: +1 (954) 389 8866, Fax: +1 (954) 389 5747. The toll-free number will remain the same: +1 (866) 669 GEAR.
UK - A busy 2003 sees Fourth Phase expanding its project management team with the addition of Alistair Smyth as project manager, who joins from High End/Flying Pig, where for the past nine months he had been sales account manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Previously a technical support engineer for the company for over two years, Alistair had also fulfilled the same role for two years at Vari-Lite. His technical knowledge and overseas experience will prove invaluable to Fourth Phase, as the company adds the Madrid production of We Will Rock You to its portfolio. Smyth will join the existing project management team of James Hall and Simon Harborow.
UK - Former Martin Professional employee Simon Allan has rejoined the company as product manager for the stage, studio and event segment, which includes Martin's popular MAC range of moving heads. Allan's responsibilities will also cover Martin's growing range of lighting controllers, including the newly-released Maxxyz lighting console.
Simon has 10 years of experience in the lighting industry and returns to Martin UK after three years as technical manager at moving light rental company Set Lighting & Sound. Prior to that he was employed at Martin UK as a technical support engineer, working on various on-site projects, as well as conducting training courses and helping to run the Martin University.
USA - Martin Professional Inc has hired Matthias Hinrichs as control product specialist. Working out of Martin's West Coast office, Hinrichs will provide sales and technical support for the growing Martin line of control products, which includes the newly released Maxxyz professional lighting console.
"By providing excellent customer service, as well as supporting the sales department with all questions regarding control products, Matthias will help provide the right product for the right application," commented Michael Nevitt, control product manager at Martin US. "He was an integral part of the Maxxyz Beta Test Group for the past year, which makes for a seamless transition into the Martin team. It's a great benefit to have another control expert on the staff."
Henrichs, a German native who originally hails from Berlin, moved to Los Angeles in 2002. Prior
UK - Following a short spell away from the industry, Adrian Mulcahy has joined the sales team at Leisuretec Distribution Ltd. Mulcahy was formerly employed at Marshall Amplification in the role of Artist Liaison, where he was responsible for product endorsements. Prior to this he was worked for MI retailers Music Village, where he gained experience of the extremely competitive retail market.
Nick Spalding MD of Leisuretec Distribution commented on the appointment: "I am delighted that Adrian has joined our sales team as I believe he is very customer-focused, an element that is crucial in our aim to provide high levels of customer service through our 'Pure Distribution' policy'."
Leisuretec Distribution currently offers in excess of 5,000 products from more than 75 manufacturers to trade customers only.
UK - PLASA Media has learned of the death of Arthur Lampkin, the founder of Wembley Loudspeaker. Paul MacCallum, who took the company over from Lampkin and is its current managing director, has provided us with the following obituary:
Arthur was from a large family of 10, and in his earlier years, life was a huge struggle for all of them. However, he managed a good Grammar School education and became interested with (then still relatively new) radio/wireless. During World War II, he was one of a secret team making concealed radios/transmitters for use by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the airforce.
Following the war, he was asked to set up a new loudspeaker factory in Wales (Truvoice - part of Phillips) and instigated the first flow-line assembly, along with various test procedures. In 1957 he moved back to London area and was the service manager for Goodmans L
USA - Wybron has announced the appointment of industry veteran John W. Fuller as vice-president, sales and marketing, with effect 1 October 2003. Fuller has been involved in entertainment lighting for over 25 years: in the late 70s, he worked as a stagehand and eventually as technical director of Macky Auditorium - a 2,500-seat roadhouse at the University of Colorado.
Since 1992, Fuller has been president of the Lee Filters USA division of Panavision. He says: "Wybron products have consistently maintained the best possible reputation for quality in our industry. While I will miss my colleagues at Lee Filters, I am honoured to become part of the fantastic group of people building some of the best gear in entertainment lighting."
USA - Vari-Lite has bolstered its product marketing and technical support team, appointing George Masek to the newly created role of technical product manager. The move gives Vari-Lite a veteran with more than 20 years as an entertainment lighting professional and puts him in a critical technical support/product marketing role.
"Vari-Lite has always prided itself in being a lighting company, and not just a company that makes lights," said Steve Carson, general manager of Vari-Lite parent company Genlyte Controls. "When we created the technical product manager position, it was important that we bring in someone who recognizes the 'show must go on' mentality of the entertainment industry. George understands the needs of true lighting professionals because he spent years on the road as one of them."
Masek will be based out of the company's Dallas headquarters.
Europe - Industry veteran Fons de Vreede has joined worldwide automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc (HES) as regional sales manager for Central Europe. Fons has a wealth of industry experience, working at both Flashlight Utrecht in Holland for more than 17 years, and subsequently Lightco. More recently, he has been freelance, and worked as project manager for lighting at Disney Paris' World Disney Studios Park. He will be based in Utrecht to place him closer to his territory.
David Catterall, managing director of High End Systems Europe, commented: "Fons knows the industry, he knows the products and best of all, knows our customers. It's a perfect fit - this is a people business and we've got the right guy."
UK - Loudspeaker manufacturer Logic System Pro Audio has announced the appointment of two new staff members. Ade Hardy, who has joined the company from the Birmingham office of Logic dealer LMC Audio, takes on the role of sales manager. Also joining the company, in an R&D support role is Chris Turner, who has joined from Sheffield-based Academy of Sound. Turner has a background in electronics and will bring additional skills which complement the existing R&D team.
Staff changes are completed with the appointment of existing production manager Sue Ellis to the role of operations director. Sue has been with the company for a couple of years and masterminded the recent factory move. While not known for his gushing praise, Chris Scott offered a few words: "From day one, working with Sue has been like working with a partner, not an employee; her support and commitment is invalua
USA - As QSC's newly appointed global sales manager, Greg McLagan will begin lending direction to the company's worldwide sales efforts. A well-known and respected industry veteran who has logged over a decade with QSC in a number of sales and marketing positions, McLagan comes to the post with plans for increasing QSC's global market share.
"In one sense, mine is a building mission of sorts," McLagan commented."QSC has dedicated a lot of resources to the development of new products outside of its amplifier lines. Now, with the DSP, loudspeaker, network control and signal transport technologies we've added to our catalogue well on their way to becoming established here in the US, it's time to build the presence of these systems in the rest of the world too. As part of this expanded international commitment, we'll also be offering added support to both distributors
UK - Rob Fowler has joined the Projected Image Digital team as technical applications engineer. He will be providing technical field support for the various digital servers and associated hardware supplied by Projected Image Digital, and applications advice relating to digital content, training and programming support.
Fowler has been in the professional lighting industry for 12 years. His career started at Theatre Projects in Greenford, from which he moved on to Vari*Lite's technical support department. He also worked at the Millennium Dome as a programmer/operator for the Wholehog II consoles running the Central Show, plus multi-tasking in other areas of the attraction. In 2001 he joined Flying Pig Systems' technical support department, and has now moved to P.I.D.
In addition to his wealth of experience in technical support, Fowler has also worked on a variety of live events
UK - Allen & Heath has announced the promotion of Jamie Ward to the new position of area sales manager for UK (South), due to the increasing level of business from the company's nationwide network of resellers. Ward will be responsible for liaising with dealers across the southern regions, from briefing them on new product ranges to negotiating purchasing requirements.
Ward joined Allen & Heath's Sales Department in 2000 at the company's base in Cornwall, UK, where he managed sales activities for the UK reseller market. Sales and marketing director, Bob Goleniowski, commented: "Jamie has developed excellent relations with our dealer channels during his time working in the sales office. His insight into the audio market has matured and we believe he is more than capable of supporting our UK dealers as our market share continues to grow. I am confident that he will quickly be
UK - RG Jones' sales and installations department reports a very busy first half of the year. In order to strengthen its client support, the company has added two new full-time positions. Adam Villiers, who, the company tells us, has been "super-glued to his desk" will fulfill the role of initial point of contact, on hand to take care of clients' immediate needs and provide any information they require.
At the same time, Scott Fraser has joined the company in the role of technical field sales rep. Fraser has had many years of experience in pro audio and he will be mobile, available to visit clients, discuss any requirements, and provide relevant advice.
UK - Since moving into new premises earlier this summer, ARB has continued to expand. Three new members of staff have joined the team this August. The two new sales executives, taken on to develop ARB's diverse client base, are Stephen Brady, joining from De Boer, with his extensive experience in corporate events, hospitality and production areas; and Barry Clayson, who has two decades of production experience working in the outdoor events industry - including commentating at a range of country fairs and shows.
Cathy Lynn from NSR has also joined ARB as the new hire office manager. She will be responsible for enquiries and quotes and ensuring that hire operations out of ARB's Buckingham headquarters are managed efficiently.
Denmark - In order to take increased advantage of the recent agreement of co-operation between Seelite and Procon MultiMedia AG, Seelite A/S has hired Mikkel Behrend as AV project manager.
Behrend, who was formerly key account manager at ComTech Holding A/S, will begin at the company in October, and will be responsible for AV solutions for fairs and shows, presentations, events and festivals, areas where the company can now offer single source technical solutions including lighting, sound, AV and stage setting.
UK - A.C. Lighting has announced a new staff appointment at the company's headquarters in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Philip Norfolk joins as product manager for the rapidly expanding portfolio of products for which A.C. Lighting holds exclusive UK or worldwide distribution. In this new role, Norfolk will be dividing his time between the road and the company's headquarters in High Wycombe.
Norfolk has spent his entire working life in the entertainment lighting industry and joins the company from Martin Professional, where he held the role of UK stage studio and events segment manager. Prior to this, Norfolk worked in Chicago for Tech Lighting as sales training manager and specification sales manager, having also spent 13 years at the Lighting Technology Group where he moved from equipment sales up to the role of key account manager.
USA - Robe America has appointed Michael Carattini as Eastern US sales manager. A well-known and highly regarded industry figure, Carattini has held key sales and marketing positions with lighting companies in both Italy and North America.
In his new position, Carattini will be responsible for working with Robe America dealers east of the Mississippi, as well as in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Canada. Formed in late 2002, Robe America is the exclusive North American distributor of Robe lighting products. The 'new' company is backed by the extensive experience its founders have acquired over the years in lighting design, development, service and marketing.
"I'm very impressed with Robe America management in the US and the Czech Republic," said Carattini. "They have an in-depth understanding of the lighting industry, and I believe in what they're doin
UK - Chris Hunt has been promoted to managing director for High End Systems (HES) Europe and Flying Pig Systems (FPS), both housed in the same London, UK office. Hunt was formerly director of operations for both entities. In this role, Hunt will maintain responsibility for all operations, inventory, accounting and finance, reporting directly to HES chief financial officer Peter Duff.
Says Duff: "Chris has organized our international operations and managed a major systems conversion in the UK office during the past year. It is natural that this opportunity would present itself to elevate Chris to another level, providing much input and direction to the operational functions of our European headquarters."
Hunt joins the existing European management team of FPS Founder Nick 'Beaky' Archdale, who manages the development side of the organization; and John Wiseman, Executi
Glynn Somers has joined the Heritage sales team of Black Box AV, taking responsibility for promoting the company's innovative audio-visual solutions to museums and attractions north ofBirmingham, up to the Scottish Borders. Jonathan Knight, Black Box MD, said: "Glynn's appointment strengthens our commitment to the Heritage sector. When we added Heritage to an already strong presence in high street retail three years ago, we set ourselves a target to become a leading supplier in the sector and have achieved that. As a result we have a strong and prestigious client list. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and Glynn's appointment was necessary to maintain that high level of service and achieve further growth'.
Glynn joins Simon Markey and Annetta Park who already service the South of England, Scotland,Ireland and Wales.
Europe - PMC has announced the appointment of Maurice Patist to the position of pan-European sales manager with responsibility for professional industry sales in Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, Ireland and Eastern Europe. The newly created role is intended to provide greater strategic support for PMC's current European sales networks and to develop channels into new territories and market sectors.
A former professional live sound engineer, Patist also brings extensive sales management experience to the position. A career extending over 11 years in the industry including professional sound engineering (in sound touring, theatre sound, event production and for the Royal Dutch Court), and sales management experience in IT, consumer and professional audio, and AV installation markets. Patist has held positions at IBM, Canon and Hecla Electronics. While Sales Director at Sound At Work
UK - SEOS has appointed Martin Howe to the position of vice-president of visualization, with effect from 22 September 2003. Based at SEOS' headquarters in Burgess Hill, UK, Howe will be leading a strategic review of the visualization business, working closely with the existing team to further develop SEOS' presence in the leisure and entertainment markets.
Howe has over 22 years of extensive experience in the system integration business for visualization and display systems. His career started with Electrosonic in project management and system design working on large, multi-disciplined projects around the world. After a period working as service manager and then engineering manager, Martin moved into a sales management role, primarily focusing on business development and large complex systems sales.
A move to Barco saw him leading business development activities in a range of
UK - Lots of familiar industry faces gathered at Imagination's Store Street premises in London on Monday evening for a celebration of the lifetime achievements of VLPS' Brian Croft. The company's general manager Ed Pagett, lighting designer Richard Pilbrow and Vari-Lite Inc's Rusty Brutsché all paid tribute to Croft, whose career has spanned the last five decades.
It began when he took the role of assistant stage manager at Perth Repertory Theatre in 1959: this led him to take on several other roles in theatre, before joining, in 1965, the National Youth Theatre. In 1968 he was invited by Michael Kustow to join the Institute of Contemporary Arts as technical director and helped launch its new London premises on The Mall.
Whilst at the ICA, he took three months off to join Chip Monk's lighting crew on the Rolling Stones tour of Europe. In 1970, the Stones were keen to source