The latest movers and shakers

INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS

Absen unveils a brand new experiential showroom at its European HQ; ACT Entertainment Senior Vice President of Sales, David Johnson; Yannick Danguy, Vincent Palese, Frédéric Fochesato, Alain-René Lantelme, Dennis Bruynseels and Jérôme Bréhard; Fourier Audio Founders, Peter Bridgman, Gareth Owen and Henry Harrod.

Absen has begun welcoming visitors to its European HQ and showroom, located in Mörfelden-Walldorf near Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Germany. Key products featured in the showroom include Acclaim, Absenicon 3.0, and N Plus Series. For those who are not able to travel just yet, Absen has also created a professional 360° virtual visit of its new showroom.

ACT Entertainment has appointed David Johnson as Senior Vice President of Sales. “I’m beyond thrilled to be joining the team at ACT Entertainment,” he commented. “During my years at LDI, I straddled a lot of worlds: lighting, audio, projection and staging. I developed close and lasting relationships with top designers and critical thinkers. I managed a very diverse group of talented individuals across multiple departments. That experience will serve me well in this new role.”

Follow-Me has welcomed Axente as its sole distributor for France. Follow-Me Co-Founders, Gary Yates and Erik Berends said: “We see Axente as the perfect partner for supporting Follow-Me products towards our growing client base in France. It is a great step to expand our network with this partnership, becoming our 12th partner worldwide.”

Multi-Olivier award-winning sound designer, Gareth Owen, acoustical engineering postgraduate student at the University of Southampton, Henry Harrod, and lighting designer and software engineer, Peter Bridgman have established Fourier Audio with the help of the Future Worlds Founders Cohort. “Fourier Audio is reinventing the tools used by sound designers on live productions, enabling them to create amazing new sonic worlds and revolutionise the audience’s listening experience,” Harrod said. “Our technology will bring studio-grade, immersive audio to live audiences for the first time.”

Fulcrum Acoustic has appointed Ligra DS as its distributor for Italy. “Like Fulcrum Acoustic, Ligra is a rapidly growing company,” said Ligra DS CEO, Gianluigi Cravedi. “Fulcrum’s unique blend of technology and performance provides the type of solutions that we were seeking.”

Fulcrum Acoustic President, Stephen Siegel added: “Over the past year, we have made progress expanding our distribution in Europe. Ligra is the perfect partner for us in Italy. We know their energetic and capable team will represent us well and deliver top-quality solutions to their customers.”

Thomas Häger has joined Live, Entertainment and Technology Convention (LEaT con) as a Global Sales Representative. “We are happy to welcome Thomas into the LEaT con team. He brings broad experience of trade fair business and an international network to the table,” commented Ebner Media Group Managing Director of Unit Professional Technology and Live Communication, Marcel Court.

LEaT con will take place from 26 to 28 October 2021 at Hamburg fair halls. “The fact that we could excite Thomas with LEaT as our new project proves that we planned the right concept, to give the entire entertainment technology industry a future-oriented home in the event calendar. It also shows we believe in LEaT 100%,” added Courth.

Main Light has welcomed the appointment of Dave Pretz as Asset

Ligra DS CEO, Gianluigi Cravedi; LEaT con Global Sales Representative, Thomas Häger; Main Light Asset Manager, Dave Pretz; Singapore’s ALVO Technology; Vietnam’s Duc Proaudio Technology; China’s Guangzhou Guidance; Thailand’s ProPlugin.

Manager. “Dave brings in-depth knowledge on how production shops source the gear they need through sub-rentals and how to assess what technology should be acquired. This will allow Main Light, as a dry hire rental operation, to continue to build upon our successful business model,” Main Light General Manager, Randy Mullican said.

Optimal Audio, part of Focusrite Group, has established a partnership with four new distributors in China, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Guangzhou Guidance will distribute the brand in China; Bangkok-based ProPlugin will distribute in Thailand; ALVO Technology has been appointed as distributor for Singapore; and Duc Proaudio Technology of Ho Chi Minh City will handle distribution for Vietnam.

Optimal Audio APAC Sales & Support, David McKinney commented: “We’re confident that our fresh and innovative approach to the sector, combined with the experience and excellent networks of our new partners, will quickly establish Optimal Audio as a leading brand in the APAC region.”

Optocore has appointed Márton ‘Marci’ Sós as its new Technical Support Engineer. The new recruit will take up the same role with sister company BroaMan. “I met Optocore’s former support team a short time ago and was impressed with their immense level of knowledge, so I know I have big shoes to fill,” Sós said. “The Optocore philosophy and mindset is similar to mine in that the company builds future-proof systems designed to last for many years with minimum maintenance.”

PK SOUND has entered into a professional partnership with FM Systems. PK SOUND Chief Operating Officer, Arlen Cormack said: “FM Systems has decades of expertise among its staff, along with an enviable network of engineers, technicians, and other industry professionals. Together, we can leverage our strengths and lay our groundwork for the industry’s resurgence.

Bradford-based Pro Audio Systems has recruited Peter Butler and Callum Hall to the posts of Business Development Director and Audio Sales. Butler joins as Business Development Director in a role dedicated to improving efficiency and profitability, identifying new opportunities in the marketplace, and addressing additions to the company’s portfolio. Hall’s role as a first point of contact for customers will see him deal with the full remit of Pro Audio’s sales operation, from quoting to purchasing and shipping. Pro Audio Systems Managing Director, Brian Lumb commented: “We’re very pleased to have added Peter and Callum to the team. Both of them share our love of audio and dedication to the highest standards of customer service.”

Holdan, part of the Midwich Group, is set to distribute Roland products in the UK and Ireland. “We’re extremely proud to represent such a prestigious brand. Roland’s portfolio is perfectly positioned to meet users’

FM Systems CEO, Marlin Jones and PK SOUND CEO, Jeremy Bridge with PK Sound COO, Arlen Cormack; Pro Audio Systems Business Development Director, Peter Butler; Pro Audio Systems Audio Sales, Callum Hall; Holdan Managing Director, Allan Leonhardsen; SSE Audio Live Productions establishes a dedicated technical team.

needs, especially now that adapting to new challenges has become an everyday task,” Holdan Managing Director, Allan Leonhardsen said. “Roland understands users’ needs in real-world conditions, and we know that users of traditional video products, who have adapted their presentations to new platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams will find their product offering very compelling.”

SSE Audio and UK partner brands Wigwam, Capital Sound and BCS Audio have set up a dedicated technical team to ensure industry leading delivery across Live Production projects. Heading up the four-strong team is Nick Lythgoe who has over 35 years’ experience in live productions. He is joined by Keth Sujeeun in Redditch, Jon Brookes who will be based in Heywood, and Robin Conway in London (Park Royal). UK Group Director for Live Productions, Spencer Beard, said: “We’re looking to develop best practice from across the group, standardising where appropriate while maintaining the unique approach that attracts customers to our brands.”

The Spendlove Group has announced the launch of THE Production TEAM. Spendlove Group Founder and CEO, Ian Spendlove said: “THE Production TEAM can source the skill sets you need, onboard contractors and facilitate all the paperwork and red tape that surrounds their appointment, leaving our clients to get on with running their businesses.”

THE Production TEAM has placed several candidates at Expo 2020 across various disciplines. It is also currently recruiting for numerous positions within show production, operations, logistics, project management, technical production and creative.

Vectorworks has opened the doors to a new corporate office in Australia. Former OzCAD Manager, Annabel Carr, will serve as Director of Australian Technical Operations. “Advancing our existing presence in Australia by opening a new office will allow us to better serve our growing customer base in the Asia-Pacific and beyond,” said Vectorworks CEO, Biplab Sarkar. TPi www.tpimagazine.com/category/industry-jobs

WE ARE HIRING ! JOIN OUR GLOBAL TEAM !

UK BASED TOURING TECHNICIAN ER Productions is an innovative laser and SFX specialist providing cutting edge laser and special effects products to some of the most iconic shows on Planet Earth. We are looking for Touring Technician to join the UK team based in Dartford. We are a fast paced, energetic and exciting place to work. The candidate will need to be friendly, adaptable and fit into the culture of ER.

PLEASE SEND CV AND COVERING LETTER TO info@er-productions.com

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED 3 years experience in live / touring events Laser and SFX experience p Laser and SFX experience preferred Must have an understanding of DMX and lighting control systems Must have an understanding of site power and distribution Computer Network set up and IP configurations Must have a basic understanding of lighting desks

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Prepare equipment for rental Laser and SFX P Laser and SFX Programming and Design Lasser and SFX operating You will be expected to tour and must be available to travel at short notice Repair equipment and fault finding down to board level Cable repair and maintenance Must be able to solder Climbing and focusing laser and SFX equipment W We offer a competitive salary which is negotiable based on experience, overtime, generous holidays, pension scheme, Bupa health care, and a mobile