USA - Bill Sims will depart Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, formerly Color Kinetics, at the end of June 2008, the company reports. He will be succeeded in the role of CEO by Jeffrey Cassis, currently the company's senior vice-president and COO.

Under Sims' leadership, Color Kinetics achieved sustained profitability and its revenues grew 30% per year on average between 2001 and 2007. He guided the company's strategic direction, sales operations, expansion of its OEM business, and the creation of its successful licensing program. He also oversaw the company's most pivotal milestones, including its successful initial public offering in June 2004 and its acquisition by Philips in August 2007 for just under $1 billion.

As a result of this and other acquisitions, totaling more than $4.2 billion in the last two years alone, Philips has emerged as a leader in the increasingly

USA - Mackie has announced the appointment of Laz Harris to the position of Asia-Pacific market manager. In this newly created position, Harris will ensure Mackie and Tapco distribution partners are supported through marketing, training, tradeshows, product launches and other activities.

"We are confident that Laz will strike the critical balance between market opportunity, our business objectives and sales team support," said Adrian Bell, director of marketing. "We look forward to continued, explosive growth in our Asia-Pacific markets."

Harris joined Loud in November, 2004 and most recently held the position of product specialist. Harris will be based in Singapore, reporting to Adrian Bell.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Steve Carson, general manager of Philips Lighting Controls - which includes Vari*Lite, Lightolier Controls, Entertainment Technology, and Strand Lighting - has announced the appointment of Tom Folsom as the general manager of the Strand Lighting division, worldwide. This includes the Strand Lighting operations in Cypress California as well as London and Hong Kong.

"Tom is uniquely qualified for this position. His diverse background and experience as well as his understanding of the entrepreneurial nature of this business make him an excellent choice for this key position," said Carson.

"We have been working quickly since our acquisition of Strand to create the right mix of products and services for the market the past two years. Strand is now positioned to move and establish its position as a world leader in lighting controls. With our recent partnership w

UK - Wireless microphone manufacturer Trantec, has appointed Rob Moore to the position of Northern Field sales executive.

Rob comes to Trantec from a 15 year career at the Music Factory Entertainment Group where amongst other roles, he headed up MastermixDJ, a service that provided DJs with access to the best in equipment and advice.

Commenting on his appointment, Moore said: " I've long been an admirer of the quality and innovation that goes into Trantec products, and joining a major player in the wireless mic market is a great opportunity for me. I don't know of any company that understands their target audience better than Trantec. They've engineered their new microphones for serious users and I'm happy to be a part of an organization that's truly focused on delivering quality products."

Trantec's head of sales and marketing, Mark Parkhouse added: "Rob's ex

UK - Jo-Ann Thorn has joined The Sound Division Group with a multi-functional role ranging from office manager, organising the company's burgeoning hire and production business, to other aspects of sales and marketing.

Thorn spent the past five years at Halo Lighting, following ten years working with AV and videoconferencing technology at BT.

"I've been aware of Sound Division's excellent reputation within the industry for many years and it's a real pleasure to be invited to join the team. I'm greatly looking forward to the challenges ahead," she says.

The company's managing director David Graham adds, "It is fortunate that we have been able to recruit someone of Jo-Ann's background and enthusiasm. With a range of services from party and event production through to top-level install it was vital that we enlisted someone with the organisational skills and indus

USA - The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) bestowed one of its highest honours, the 2008 Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Award, on Meyer Sound founders Helen and John Meyer at its annual conference in Houston. At the same event, The Pearson Theatre, Meyer Sound's resident theatre at its Berkeley headquarters, was also given an Architecture Merit Award.

"The world of the performing arts has always been a passion for us, both personally and professionally," remarked Helen Meyer. "Meyer Sound has long strived to be part of the driving force in the evolution of theatre sound technology, and we're gratified by the recognition we've received today from our friends and colleagues at USITT."

Also at the USITT Conference, architects Marcy Wong and Donn Logan were recognized with an Architecture Merit Award for their work on Me

UK - Stagecraft Theatre Services (STS), one of the country's leading experts in stage, sound and lighting installers, has welcomed new project manager Kevin Hughes to its growing Salisbury-based team. Hughes, who has worked in the industry for 20 years, has project managed audio and visual installations at events and venues throughout the country, including commissioning the sound system at the much-talked-about O2.

"2008 has been an exceptionally busy year for STS so far and we are very pleased to welcome Kevin to our team," said sales director Martin Palmer. "Kevin brings with him a wide-range of experience and equipment knowledge, which will be of great benefit to schools, theatres and performance venues."

Originally an expert in sound system installation and commissioning, Kevin now has a breadth of expertise covering sound, video, lighting and stage ma

UK - Shure Distribution UK (SDUK), a leading distributor of professional audio equipment, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dinesh Maisuria as their new Senior Service Technician.

Dinesh brings a vast amount of technical experience to SDUK. Dinesh has most recently worked at Sennheiser UK for over eight years as their key RF Service Engineer and previously at Audio Engineering where he was responsible for testing Micron microphones.

Dinesh brings a depth of industry experience and technical knowledge to SDUK and enhances the already strong service team. 'This new appointment will grow and develop the service team enabling SDUK to achieve the long-term objective of positioning SDUK as industry leaders in providing renowned and unique levels of service to their customers,' say the company.

'The appointment of Dinesh represents our commitment to continually improve,

UK - After working with engineering design company Xolve for some three years on a freelance basis, draftsman and designer Andy Prescott has now formally become part of the team adding his extensive CAD and project management skills to the Xolve portfolio of technical and mechanical capabilities.

With six years' experience in the entertainment industry, an inherent ability to problem-solve and an in depth understanding of 2D and 3D CAD, Prescott is perfectly positioned to complement Xolve MD Neil Darracott's mechanical engineering and design expertise and to hasten the development of this growing business.

Having already supported Darracott on such high profile projects as last year's rugby world cup, and West-end musical Gone With The Wind earlier this year, Prescott has recently led Xolve's work for George Michael as his 25 Live tour prepares for the USA in the summer

UK - Sennheiser UK has announced that John Steven has left the company. Having been Sennheiser UK's director of marketing for the past eight years, he leaves to start and run his own company, John Steven PR.

Steven will continue working with Sennheiser UK on a freelance basis on various special projects, including assisting general manager Phil Massey with the company's ongoing involvement with the National Film and Television School and the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts.

Massey wished his departing colleague well. "John's been very committed to this company for a long time and we're sorry to see him go," he said, "although I'm glad he'll still be involved with us in a freelance capacity. He leaves behind a very strong and capable marketing team."

Steven joined Sennheiser UK in January 2000, having previously worked for their appointed PR Com

USA - Wybron has promoted John Sondericker III to director of technologies.

For the past 12 years Sondericker has been Wybron's senior electronics/software engineer, helping design almost every product the company makes. Sondericker served as the chief architect of Infogate, the software at the heart of Wybron's Infotrace system, which uses the Remote Device Management two-way communication protocol to let users remotely manage and address their lighting rigs.

In his new role at Wybron, Sondericker will help the company stay abreast of new developments in the lighting industry, including the continued emphasis on two-way communication protocols such as RDM and ACN (Architecture for Control Networks).

"Our industry is evolving at a remarkable rate. Lighting systems are becoming more and more complex every day," Sondericker said. "I'm grateful for the opportunit

UK - Litestructures has expanded its UK design force with the recruitment of sales design engineer Patrick Lockwood.

Lockwood has a proven track record within the industry; he started his career 18 years ago as a qualified welder/fabricator within James Thomas Engineering. He then progressed on to the export sales and project teams where he managed many concert, theatre and design projects from initial enquiry through to final completion. Moving on as a sales engineer, he then joined Tomcat UK for four years.

Lee Brooks, sales director comments: "It's not everyday that you get the opportunity to recruit someone with Patrick's track record and extensive experience. His ingrained knowledge of both engineering principles and our industry brings great value to Litestructures, and strengthens our technical team to allow us to continue improving both our products and our level

Germany - Meyer Sound Germany has announced the appointment of Peter Schädel to the position of marketing coordinator.

Since joining Meyer Sound Germany as a sales manager a few months ago, Schädel has established himself as a key member of the sales and marketing team, says the company.

Dave Wiggins, director of marketing, Europe, says, "Meyer Sound's extraordinary sales growth in Europe over the past few years has prompted the continuing investment in marketing support. As the company moves into new markets and expands our efforts to specific geographical territories, the need for innovative marketing has also increased. Peter's skill set is ideally suited to a marketing environment and is invaluable to the team."

(Jim Evans)

USA - Digidesign, has announced the appointment of Max Gutnik to the position of marketing manager, professional products. In his new position, Gutnik will lead the marketing team in developing and implementing marketing strategies for Digidesign's line of professional recording, post production and broadcast products including Pro Tools|HD and ICON integrated consoles.

Gutnik joins Digidesign from his position as director of sales and marketing at Apogee Electronics, where he was instrumental in developing several of the company's product lines. A successful musician, music instructor and recording artist, Gutnik has also held high-profile positions in retail with Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center.

 

UK - Essential Lighting has announced that Loz Wilcox has joined their System team, further increasing the project management support that the company offers to lighting and set designers.

Loz joins Essential from PRG Europe where he gained experience supporting such projects as The Lion King, Jersey Boys and Wicked in London's West End, product launches for prestigious clients such as Audi, Lexus and Rolls Royce and special events including the Nobel Peace Prize concerts.

Loz grew up with both parents involved in the entertainment industry and began his professional career aged 16 in his local theatre. Prior to returning to London, Loz travelled the world in the position of production manager for P&O Cruises, looking after the lighting design aboard their cruise liners; all of which earned him a wealth of experience that he brings to the team at Essential.

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USA - Radian Audio Engineering, a leading manufacturer of loudspeaker systems and speaker components for permanently installed and touring live sound applications based in Southern California, has appointed Timothy Thornton to the position of director of sales and marketing. Thornton brings to the position a broad base of knowledge and experience acquired during 20 years in the professional audio industry, including nine years with Apogee Sound International.

Most recently, Thornton completed a contract as managing director of Stage Directions, an in-house media and event production sales and rental company in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, Thornton was with Apogee Sound International, rising rapidly from the position of National Sales Manager to Vice President of International Sales. His extensive background of sales and managerial positions also includes design, installation a

UK - Garry Clulow has joined Massteknik as UK sales manager to focus on permanent installations of LED screens and systems.

The move into this area is new to Massteknik UK but has proven extremely successful for Massteknik Sweden utilising knowledge gained within the LED rental business over the past twenty five years, says the company.

Clulow's career in AV began with the Plasmascreen Company where he headed the sales team, moving on to managing the company. His move to Aviation Television and Communications supporting airshows worldwide saw other skill sets being required. His last position saw him working as business development manager for ADI.

Mike Bone who heads Massteknik UK says: "With us developing our business into this new and growing market sector Garry's knowledge and expertise makes him a valuable addition to the team."

(Jim Evans)

Italy - FBT Elettronica S.p.A. announces the appointment of Mr. Luigi Paoloni as export manager for Central-South America, Africa (except north), East Europe extra EEC countries.Luigi Paoloni has spent seventeen years at Proel S.p.A. where he experienced the international sales department management, witnessing the whole company's history.

Paoloni comments: "I am looking forward to developing our brands in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe where Italian made products are very much aimed. FBT manufactures almost all its entire production in Italy, covering the complete production cycles at our plant in Recanati, near Ancona. FBT's organisation includes total product design, engineering and manufacturing in Italy and I am looking forward to bring my contribution to the future success."

Luigi Paoloni joins forces with the FBT's export managers Roberto Mataloni, h

Germany - Beyerdynamic has reported that Fred R. Beyer, the shareholder and long-time managing director of beyerdynamic GmbH & Co KG, died on 5 June 2008 in Heilbronn, Germany.

The company's statement says: "Beyer will be best remembered as a man who did not bow to convention yet still maintained a strong sense of traditionalism. After his father's death in 1959, he took over as Managing Director at the age of 26 of the still family owned manufacturing business and held that position until his retirement in 2002.

"He gave up a very promising career with the US Army and with it his great dream of a military life, although anyone visiting him at the factory could be forgiven for thinking that they had landed in the army because of his impressive collection of military vehicles and his management style.

"He led beyerdynamic for over 40 years and was instrumental

UK - Richard Willcox has joined Stage Technologies as a rental systems project manager.

Willcox has worked as a user of Stage Technologies' systems for numerous productions over recent years; first as a systems engineer at the Millennium Dome's Central Show in 2000, then as head of automation teams for Miss Saigon, Witches of Eastwick and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He has also worked as an automation operator for a number of Cirque du Soleil's touring shows and as the senior automation technician for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Courtyard Theatre.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Barry Haywood has joined Monacor UK as Scotland/North of England sales manager. The move marks a reunion with Damon Crisp, Monacor UK's managing director, with whom he previously worked at Numark UK. Haywood spent five-and-a-half years with Numark - the same length of service which he had previously devoted to drum manufacturer, Pearl.

Joining Monacor UK from Peavey, Haywood said that the vast range of products represented in the company's catalogue provided a tremendous challenge in all market sectors - from MI retail to pro rental and install.The broad range of LED lighting was particularly exciting he said.

Commented Damon Crisp: "This move reinforces our willingness to compete in a professional marketplace; with Barry's experience we are confident we will be able to deliver a continually-improving service which is fully-supported."

(Jim Evans)

USA - As part of an ongoing expansion, J. R. Clancy has promoted one staff member to the position of engineer, and added an estimator and an accounting manager at its corporate headquarters in upstate New York.

Craig Eagleson has been promoted to the position of engineer from his project manager job at Clancy. Eagleson joined the staff a year ago. In his new position, he will work on research and development of new products in all areas of Clancy's expertise, with emphasis on automation and motorized rigging.

Jennifer VanWaldick joins Clancy as the company's accounting manager. Formerly an accountant for Bowers & Company, VanWaldick came to Clancy in December 2007. She now handles accounts payable, accounts receivable and billing for the company.

Bill Jones brings more than 35 years of theatre experience to his new position as estimator for J. R. Clancy. He works closely wit

UK - Litestructures has announced a key new appointment to strengthen its management team. Ben Weijters joins the company as export sales manager.

Ben has a proven track record within the industry starting his career almost 40 years ago at Jac Van Ham, the Audio & Video equipment specialist in Holland. After spending 10 years in the production then installation departments, Ben moved on to the Sales team to finally become Jac Van Ham's General Manager after 20 years in the company.

Having built a strong and respectful experience, Ben decided in 1996 to buy Jac Van Ham's Audio & Videos department and set up his own company called Wytec which become one of the industry's favourites as a distributor in Europe.

Managing director, Adrian Brooks, commented: "Ben and Litestructures have known each other for many years. He knows our product range, and our way of working, very w

UK - The 5 Star Cases sales team has expanded with the addition of Richard Chilvers, who joins as technical sales representative.

Chilvers has been a 5 Star case user for 10 years, ever since his early days as an apprentice with lighting rental company, Hawthorn Theatrical. He has also worked as a technical manager at venues, including the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange and Arts Centre and the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton.

(Jim Evans)

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