PSNEUROPE
Welcome
Editor Daniel Gumble dgumble@nbmedia.com
Production Executive Jason Dowie jdowie@nbmedia.com
Staff writer Tara Lepore tlepore@nbmedia.com
Group Commercial Manager, Music Ryan O’Donnell rodonnell@nbmedia.com
Content Director James McKeown jmckeown@nbmedia.com
Senior Account Manager Rian Zoll-Khan rzoll-khan@nbmedia.com
Designer Tom Carpenter tcarpenter@nbmedia.com
Sales Executive Mark Walsh mwalsh@nbmedia.com
P3 DECEMBER 2017
DANIEL GUMBLE Editor Contributors: Kevin Hilton, Marc Maes, Phil Ward, David Davies, Marc Miller, Mike Clark, Mel Lambert
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is published 12 times a year by NewBay Media Europe Ltd, The Emerson Building, 4th Floor, 4-8 Emerson Street, London SE1 9DU www.psneurope.com
ISSN number 0269-4735 (print) 2052-238X (digital)
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A
s one year draws to a close and a new one beckons, there is often a tendency to reflect on the past 12 months and recap the highlights. Which is all well and good, but here at PSNEurope we’re fixing our gaze firmly forward, as we prepare to enter a year that promises to be a pivotal one on a great many levels. First up, there’s the Budget and the first revaluation of business rates in some seven years. At time of going to press, the latest Budget was days away from being announced, and a conversation I had with UK Music CEO Michael Dugher ahead of its unveiling highlighted some alarming figures. As a result of the revaluation, the rateable value of the O2 Arena and Abbey Road Studios soared by a whopping 141% and 32% respectively. Such increases are having a devastating impact upon studios and music venues across the country, leaving those lacking substantial financial clout in dire straits – particularly at grassroots level. However, with UK Music lobbying Government to redouble its efforts to protect the future of studios and venues facing closure, and with current culture minister Matt Hancock also fighting for greater protection of the arts, there is hope that 2018 could see the industry turn a corner. Next year is also set to be a make or break year for certain events on the trade show front. After a few years of upheaval in Frankfurt, some are suggesting that the organisers at Messe really need to get proceedings back on track if Prolight+Sound and Musikmesse are to have any hope in restoring the faith of their global audiences, especially with ISE’s inexorable rise showing no signs of slowing. Elsewhere, it seems the pro audio world is finally starting to address the subject of diversity in a more meaningful way. AES has made steps toward greater inclusivity with the assembly of a dedicated diversity board, while MOBO has partnered with Help Musicians UK to launch a new fund to help budding producers make the next step in their careers. Each of these worthy causes certainly bode well for the year ahead. All in all, there is much to be hopeful about as we leave 2017 behind. So from all at PSNEurope, we wish you a happy festive break and look forward to seeing you in 2018.
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