UK - VDC Trading has announced the appointment of Jason Shaw as UK sales manager. Brought on board to help drive the company’s growth post-COVID, Jason is responsible for developing go-to-market and sales strategies, creating new business opportunities and providing greater support for existing clients in the UK. Jason has worked in sales and business development roles for almost 20 years and has extensive experience in the telecoms and property sectors. Jason comments: “I’m delighted to be joining VDC at such a pivotal stage in the business’ development. I am confident that I can support its continued growth, in line with the expansion plans, to develop the business and its propositions that will benefit our customers.” Niall Holden, founder and CEO of VDC Trading adds, “We’ve been looking for an effective and experienced sales manager and his ext
Germany - A raft of new products are being shown by the Neutrik Group’s Neutrik, Rean and Contrik brands at Prolight+Sound this year. These include new and extended product ranges from the group’s latest brands, as well as continuing expansion of some of its most recognizable product lines, incorporating a breadth of applications for power, audio, video, lighting and data. Among advanced power solutions being featured on the booth are the new grey / blue colour coded Neutrik powerCON XXA / XXB lockable, rugged power connectors. With discrete power-in and power-out keying, and a new ergonomic design, featuring an easy to assemble slip-proof two-compound moulded housing (with the strain relief mechanically locking with the insert to align with the housing), they are certified as complying with the latest relevant worldwide device safety regulations for mains supply connect
UK - International AV creative technology company 7thSense – specialists in creating products that meet media-based needs of theme park, attractions, and entertainment industries - has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The team will be presented with the award by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County, in addition to an official ceremony at Buckingham Palace in June. 7thSense is a privately-owned creative software and technology company based in Upper Beeding, Sussex, with further offices in London, Orlando and Burbank. The company invented, developed, and manufactures products including Delta Media Server, R-Series 10, Actor media server, Conjurer generative media server solution, Compere media presentation workflow software, Juggler pixel processor, and Medialon show control range of hardware and software for attra
China - AV systems integrator GPA has announced that Absen has joined the GPA global partner programme. GPA will help Absen strengthen its supply chain and provides local contact points for its global customers across 50 countries, ensuring seamless communication throughout the entire customer journey. The GPA partnership will help support Absen’s global coverage and ensure a strong and prolific offering of its LED displays to new and existing customers. “As one of the world's leading display brands, Absen brings over 20 years' experience powering 50,000 installations to the GPA partner programme,” commented Mike Stead, GPA’s director, global partnerships. “Through this united partnership, customers have access to understand, influence and benefit from the combined power of China's leading LED manufacturer with the expertise of the world's largest AV Integrat
USA - Crestron Electronics has announced the promotion of John Clancy to the position of chief sales officer, effective immediately. In this newly created role, John will lead and unify the global Crestron sales organisation to drive market growth and enhance customer satisfaction. Reporting directly to Crestron CEO & president Dan Feldstein, John will continue to be based at Crestron’s global headquarters in Rockleigh, NJ. "We are thrilled to announce John's promotion to chief sales officer," said Dan Feldstein, CEO & president of Crestron Electronics. "His leadership has been instrumental in driving growth and integration across our global residential sales teams, and we are confident that he will bring the same energy and expertise to this new role. John's experience in the industry, coupled with his strategic vision will strengthen Crestron’s market position
Germany - CAST Group of Companies is set to introduce BlackTrax-One or BT-1 in Frankfurt. This real-time tracking solution is designed for all sorts of single-tracking integration needs, with its portability, affordability, customisation options, and expandable features. BT-1 is a compact tracking system powerhouse re-engineered to bring big show effects and automation to smaller production budgets. It packs the same precision and control capabilities as the original BT System, in an easily portable kit, and is available at a price point within reach for most production companies, says CAST. BT-1 improves market access to tracking technology for small to medium size projects such as corporate events, theatrical shows, television productions, concerts, VR experiences, and theme parks. “We are extremely proud of BlackTrax’ BT-1 product," said Stuart Green, CEO
Europe - Full-service video and lighting company 4Wall Europe continues its expansion of equipment dedicated to the broadcast world with purchase of Elation Professional’s KL Fresnel 6 FC PO and KL Fresnel 8 FC PO lighting fixtures, both pole-operable units optimised for the specific requirements of on-camera productions. Darren Poultney, managing director EMEA at 4Wall Europe, commented on the investment: “With their outstanding performance, versatility and reliability, the new KL Fresnel fixtures are the perfect solution to support the growing demand for high-quality lighting in broadcast projects, from commercials and TV shows to film production, product reveals and corporate events. “Whether we're working on location or in the studio, the KL Fresnel FC POs deliver amazing results, giving us the flexibility to adapt to any situation and create stunning visual
The Netherlands - Kramer has announced the appointment of Peter Baxter as senior vice president (SVP) of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Pete is a 32-year veteran of the technology industry with tenure in the reseller, system integrator, and vendor worlds. He is a go-to-market expert, designing and leading organisations that focus on customer engagement, customer outcomes, and growth Most recently, Pete led the EMEA video conferencing business for Logitech, creating a world-class enterprise organisation to maximize a highly competitive yet growing category. Prior to Logitech, he held global leadership positions at Yellowfin BI, Avast, and AVG. Pete will be based in Kramer’s new regional headquarters in Amstelveen, Netherlands, where the company is building its centre of gravity for EMEA. Gilad Yron, CEO of Kramer, says: “The appoint
South Africa - With LED Video walls evolving in pixel pitch, brightness, application, and popularity, Magnimage provides by-products that include video processors, switchers, video wall controllers and accessories. South African rental company MGG recently purchased a Magnimage MIG-680 and MIG-EC90, and freelancer Marothi Morathwe (aka Dickey) is happy to have these units on shows. Marothi is a Front of House AV technician, running both video processors and video playback software and a system tech, responsible for setting up LED screens and projectors. “I’ve worked on shows with MGG for over a decade, initially on a full-time basis and now as a freelancer,” Marothi explains. “It’s where I learnt everything, and I like to call them the ‘School of Excellence’ because if you are willing to push yourself you will grow. I started as a casual and I left as a
UK - VDC Trading has moved to a freshly renovated warehouse, five minutes’ walk from Tufnell Park station in North London. Formerly at VDC House in Kings Cross - which has now made way for a modern life science facility - the firm has relocated to Unit 5, Bush Industrial Estate. The newly refurbished HQ includes custom-designed office space and purpose-built warehousing, providing a good platform for future growth. In conjunction with this move, VDC has also acquired a large satellite warehouse in Hampshire to house non-urgent cable stock. Niall Holden, CEO of VDC Trading comments: “After six long months of late night planning, pulling our hair out and drinking wine, we finally nailed the layout of our new home. For the past 26 years, we have been operating from a large ramshackle office block that didn’t really lend itself to our operations, so this time
UK - Peerless-AV has announced the schedule of Tech Talks at this year’s AV Showcase at Lord’s, 16-17 May 2023. In these technical sessions, showcase vendors will present key innovations and complete solutions with forward-looking market insights, product competencies and real-life examples of successful installations. Those registering and attending the two-day event will be in with the chance of winning Ashes tickets at Lord’s this Summer. The event is focused on leveraging and building valued partner relationships and delivering all-important training and networking opportunities to ensure a successful, productive two days for end user and reseller visitors. “The demand for technical knowledge and information is on the rise, which is why we’ve worked closely with our exhibiting brands to bring a compelling and varied line-up of professional speakers and in
Portugal - Europalco and Vallis Capital Partners have announced ‘a capital partnership’ between the two organisations. This partnership will allow Europalco to continue its growth, through regional expansion and business segments. This partnership is based on constant innovation and the introduction of new features in the market, which are already characteristics of how Europalco is viewed in the sector, says a joint statement. “The partnership with Vallis Capital Partners is a new stage in Europalco's development,” says Pedro Magalhães, founder and CEO of Europalco. “We will continue with the same identity and culture that characterises Europalco, offering our customers the most innovative solutions in terms of events and shows, allowing us to participate in projects of great dimension and renown nationwide and internationally. Investing in new technologies
USA - Audinate has announced the immediate availability of a new API available with Dante Domain Manager 1.5. The API allows service providers, integrators, software developers and OEMs to build Dante control and monitoring into management applications, control hardware, automation scripts, help desk solutions and software-based source switching, to name only a few examples. The API provides all the key functionality of Dante Controller. It can query Dante domains, devices, channels, and status, and can be used to change channel subscriptions or to add and remove devices from Dante domains. It allows for configuration of securely managed Dante AV-over-IP systems via third-party applications and products, enabling new capabilities and integrations for a wide variety of installations. The new API is built using the popular GraphQL query language for rapid development wit
South Africa - DWR Distribution hosted their first Absen ACE training workshop presented by Dylan Jones from 2 – 3 March in Johannesburg. With the Absen brand taking off in South Africa and an increased demand from technicians wanting to up their skills, the comprehensive training programme provided delegates with the understanding to successfully set up and configure LED screens. Delegates who passed the course earned the title of Absen Certified Engineer (ACE). The two-day programme provided learners with theoretical and practical learning guidance, equipping them to handle complex LED screen installations. Topics included LED screen theory, control system configuration, maintenance, and more. "The Absen team have worked hard to put together a comprehensive training program that covers everything from the basics of LED displays to advanced troubleshooting tec
UK - Peerless-AV has announced the appointment of Jarrod Etherington as regional sales manager for the North of England, Scotland, and Ireland. With his strong sales background, Jarrod will be responsible for managing reseller relations in his region, growing his account base, introducing new products into vertical markets, and supporting customers with account reviews, marketing tools, training, and events. Jarrod comes from a family of sales professionals, starting off his career in telecoms supporting field sales representatives before moving into the managed print services industry within a global company as regional account manager. After the pandemic, he joined a Bolton based business as sales manager, providing managed print services, workplace and audio-visual solutions into the education sector. Keith Dutch, managing director – EMEA, Peerless-AV commented:
South Africa - The start of 2023 saw another large Absen shipment arrive at DWR Distribution, another sign that the live events industry is on the road to recovery. The gear was ordered by various technical supply companies across the country and consisted of over 2,000 PL2.9 Lite panels and a combination of over 100 PL3.9W Lite and PL3.9W XL Lite panels. Housed in a protective casing, the curved PL2.9 Lite screens with lock system, suited for large display applications, were purchased by DNG Presentation Staging, The AV Company, Shattered Glass, Ultra Events, Lucidity Technical Production Services, Pure Event Gear and CCPP Group. In turn, AJR and MGG purchased a combination of PL3.9W Lite and PL3.9W XL Lite panels, well fitted for large outdoor and indoor events that deliver a brightness of 4,000 nits. As per the large Absen shipment that was delivered during the la
Europe - Jonathan Dyson, an electronics engineer and experienced sales professional has joined Absen to head up virtual production in Europe. This new position is designed to build on the momentum the company has generated in the VP sector in the last six months through its new product development and collaborative solution approach. Dyson brings technical and sales experience to the role having most recently served as technical sales and relationship manager for iMag Displays, a high-end video production and rentals service company. The role involved project management, client liaison and technical responsibilities, as well as new business development in related verticals that include film, television, streaming services and esports. At Multiplay Events (part of Game PLC) set up and ran the IT/AV rental division with responsibility for management, training, new produc
Germany - Austrian AV technology manufacturer AV Stumpfl will present its mobile unibody screen system Monolyte, the new Flex Black PRO projection screen surface and new features of the upcoming Pixera version 2.0 at Prolight+Sound 2023 in Frankfurt. The compact unibody screen system Monolyte has integrated legs, which makes it suitable for smaller venues and conference rooms. Monolyte has previously only been available to US customers and will be officially presented to the European AV market at this year’s Prolight+Sound. AV Stumpfl screens sales director Jan Walter comments: “After many conversations with American customers, we knew it would absolutely make sense to introduce the product there, but the ultimate scope of our success went way beyond our highest expectations. It became clear that we absolutely had to offer Monolyte to customers in other ter
Germany – One of the leading rental suppliers in Germany, btl next GmbH, has recently chosen to modernise its dimming inventory with 40 modules of GEN VI dimming from Australian manufacturer, LSC Control Systems. The Düsseldorf-based company made this major investment through LSC’s exclusive distributor for Germany, LMP Lichttechnik. Julian Siewertsen, head of btl next’s lighting department, says: “Due to the huge changes in the requirements for dimmers and current distribution, it was clear to us that we had to replace our old system - which technically still dims using the simple phase control and can therefore not replace a real fixed current distribution - with a more universally applicable product.” As well as its dimming function, GEN VI can also be used as a full-featured power distributor. Each channel can be configured separately as a (real) relay
The Netherlands - Optocore has chosen More Distribution, its partner in Holland, to host the first in its Fiber Masterclass progressive educational programme, focusing on fibre optics. Part one of the programme, which will also feature sister company BroaMan, aims at educating young and aspiring professionals and students of media production, event production, sound engineering, broadcast technologies and data networks in every aspect of the technology, its capabilities and behaviour. It will set out the equipment needed to use it, its capabilities and real-life applications, and illustrate how industries other than live sound, broadcast and recording are slowly evolving to embrace fiber optics further down the road. The initiative is the brainchild of Optocore’s experienced technical sales support specialist, RadhaMohan Rajani, technical support engineer, Marci Só
Italy - To provide the newly designed Padova Congress building with an innovative and future-proofed AV over IP system, Intermark Sistemi selected and deployed a range of advanced AMX networked solutions. Opened in 2022, the Padova Congress is a massive conference and exhibition space in the heart of the historic city of Padua. The venue serves as an international crossroads for culture, business and innovation, reflecting Padua’s legacy as the home to some of Europe’s greatest minds like Galileo Galilei and Giotto. At the heart of the new AV system are the large LED walls placed on the main stages, designed by Stefano De Troia. The Congress’s largest hall - the 1,565-seat Sala Giotto - sports the largest screen in the venue as well as one of Europe’s most advanced multimedia stations for presentations, screenings and events. With such technology housed within
China - ROE Visual has moved its LED production and production-related departments to the Unilumin Daya Bay Technology Park in Huizhou, China. The new location was officially inaugurated on 30 March 2023, with a festive and memorable celebration for the ROE Visual team. This upgraded production hub will enhance efficiency, allowing room for growth as the company expands, says ROE. With the completion of the Daya Bay Technology Park facility, the Unilumin Group now has the world's largest intelligent manufacturing site for LED displays. ROE Visual's independent new factory and office base spans over 16,000sq.m of office and manufacturing space. ROE now has access to various facilities, such as a reception, lobby, production lines, showrooms, conference rooms, and office spaces, all spread over seven spacious floors. ROE Visual's founder Jason Lu, flanked by members of t
USA - Ushio Inc., parent company to Christie, has announced the appointment of Koji Naito as the new chairman and CEO of Christie Digital Systems, globally. Koji currently holds the position of president and chief executive officer for Japan’s Ushio Inc., and will, effective 1 April, oversee both companies. Koji succeeds Hideaki Onishi, who will transition into a new role as Christie’s president and chief operating officer. In addition, Atsushi Kuroda, formerly of Sharp NEC Display Solutions, and currently senior director of Christie’s Strategy Office, has been appointed Christie’s chief technology officer and chief strategy officer, succeeding Zoran Veselic, president and CTO. “Constant innovation and deep core values, while making a difference in the communities we serve, are paramount to Ushio’s vision to a sustainable future for everyone,” says Koji N
UK - Buckinghamshire New University enlisted the help of LED display brand, Absen and global creative studio, Final Pixel to provide an end-to-end virtual production training academy. Working alongside BNU faculty, Final Pixel and Absen provided students studying visual effects and games art courses the opportunity to further develop skills and refine their knowledge of this emerging industry with a live brief, that culminated in facilitating support and expertise across a four-month project which culminated into a 2-week virtual production (VP) shoot. With the use of Absen’s PL2.5 LED screen, Jonathan Dyson, virtual production director for Absen demonstrated the product’s full capacity for virtual production. Regularly providing a range of LED applications for universities and colleges, Absen became involved with the Final Pixel on the project to assist in providi
