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Jamie Boey Joins Newly Formed Robert Juliat Asia

Following its success in Asia, French lighting manufacturer Robert Juliat has formed a new branch, Robert Juliat Asia, and appointed Jamie Boey (pictured) as dedicated branch manager for the region. Boey joins the company from Total Solution Marketing Pte Ltd where he spent six years as sales and product manager, in charge of product management and local and regional sales.

Boey brings his experience to Robert Juliat, overseeing the Asia region where he will be further developing Robert Juliat presence in this fast growing market.

"Jamie has great knowledge and understanding of operating in this region," says Robert Juliat sales director, Lionel Garraud. "Initially he will be concentrating on establishing a network across China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and India. He will also be supporting our current distributors and partners in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau."

With recent Robert Juliat installations in Beijing, Hefei, Macau and Shenzhen, Robert Juliat have seen exceptional activity in this region and Boey's arrival is very timely.

"I'm excited and honored to be given this opportunity to further develop the RJ presence in the revolutionary growing Asian market," says Boey. "Robert Juliat has a tremendously long history and is a market leader in theatre lighting and followspot technology, with numerous awards for product and technological breakthroughs. I am glad to be part of this prestigious family with young heart and passion, and looking forward to contributing to its success."

www.robertjuliat.fr

PLASA Appoints Linda Moore to Head Sales & Marketing Strategy

PLASA has announced the appointment of Linda Moore as its new sales and marketing director. Linda joins PLASA from Stage Electrics where she held the position of head of sales and marketing for the past 11 years and been a key member of the team that successfully developed the company into one of the leading players in the installation and events markets.

Linda already has considerable knowledge of the PLASA organisation having served for five years on its Executive Committee - the governing body of the organisation - and will bring extensive international sales and marketing experience to her new role.

Her appointment to the team of directors comes at a key time for PLASA, which is currently delivering an ambitious strategy across its membership, events, media, professional services, qualifications and technical divisions.

On the political front, PLASA continues to campaign on behalf of the entertainment and live events sector as Ofcom moves to finalise the details of its Digital Dividend Review - a Government proposal which will see bands of the radio spectrum relied on by the industry either auctioned or reassigned. Having already won key concessions from Ofcom, PLASA continues to work with BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) to protect the industry's interests and is currently preparing its bid to be the new industry band manager.

In October, PLASA announced its intention to merge with US-based ESTA, another international trade body representing those in the live events and entertainment industries. The merger is a significant step for both organisations and will effectively create an industry-wide global membership network of over 1100 dealers, manufacturers, installers, service providers and consultants operating under the PLASA name.

The new role of sales and marketing director will be pivotal to these initiatives and will focus on enhancing the organisation's range of products and services, whilst also identifying new opportunities.

Linda will take up her new role with PLASA in February 2010.

Cadac Announces Tragic Loss of Mark Ray

With great sadness, Cadac Holdings Ltd has announced the sudden and tragic death, at the age of 49, of Mark Ray. Mark died of a heart attack in the early hours of Monday November 9, whilst visiting New York.

Mark fronted Cadac's sales and marketing activity around the world for nine years, joining Cadac in November 2000. Cadac's Bob Thomas said: "We are all devastated, losing a good friend as well as a colleague. Mark gave every element of his life 100% - as a passionate advocate for Cadac, as a gifted musician and as an active contributor to the pro-audio industry. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mark's family and friends. All of us at Cadac will miss him enormously."

After serving in the Army, Mark's career had included spells at FCN, Gibson USA, Adam Hall and 3G, prior to joining Cadac.

Mark is survived by his two daughters, Nicola and Louise.

In Memoriam - Harry Donovan

Harry Donovan passed away last Wednesday night after a prolonged illness.

I first met Harry when we worked together helping to put together the rigging certification exams for the ETCP. I also had the opportunity to teach with him in Atlanta. It turned out to be one of his last teaching engagements.

I'm not going to kid you, working with Harry wasn't one of the easiest things I've ever done. When describing to a colleague the experience of working on the exams with Harry I said that I thought the word obstreperous had been invented solely to describe his attitude during that process. The difference between Harry and most of the rest of us, however, was that he had the skills to back up his opinions.

Harry was one of the best riggers the rock and roll world has ever known. His instincts were phenomenal. I do not know if he had an engineering degree, but he knew more about rigging engineering than just about anyone else in the business. He knew what he was doing and he was seldom wrong.

Harry's lasting legacy, of course, is his book, Entertainment Rigging. It's a monumental work and the amount of information contained in it is staggering. The effort required to put together such a book is evidence of his passion for training and his conviction that a clear and complete understanding of the rigging business is essential to anyone who ever wants to be called a rigger. My autographed copy (he had a quirky, almost disbelieving smile on his face when he signed it) has a place of honor in my office, right next to Jay Glerum's book and Randy Davidson's.

In a world full of distractions he remained singularly focused. I don't think he much cared what others thought of him or his methods. He was determined to show the world the right way to be a rigger and he wasn't going to let much get in his way.

He was gruff and he could be short tempered. But deep down he cared about us all. He cared enough to write a book. He cared enough to devote time to the ETCP exams and he cared enough to spend of good portion of his career training those who are to come after him just how the job is supposed to be done.

It's sad when anyone passes on and even sadder when it's before their time. But pass on he has. Harry, for your work, your guidance and your friendship I thank you.

Bill Sapsis

LOUD Names Adrian Bell Vice President Corporate & Marketing Communications

LOUD Technologies Inc. has announced the promotion of Adrian Bell (pictured) to the position of vice president, Corporate and Marketing Communications. In this expanded role, Adrian will lead integrated marketing across all LOUD brands, as well as manage the company's corporate communications function.

"LOUD's brands are revered for their market-leading positions, and we are committed to delivering even stronger marketing support to our dealers and distributors in the future," commented Rodney Olson, LOUD CEO. "What's more, under Adrian's leadership our partners will see tighter integration of our marketing efforts with overall product development and sales efforts."

Bell reports to Rodney Olson and is based in the Company's Woodinville, WA headquarters.

Michael Hill Named Business Area Director - Retail at Martin Professional

Martin Professional A/S has announced that Michael Hill (pictured) has assumed the position of business area director - retail. Hill, who has served as managing director for Martin Professional Italy Spa since 2007, took over the position on May 1. He is based in Milan, one of the world's capital cities for retail, fashion and design.
The retail market directorship is a global position that covers all manner of retail businesses including flagship venues, department stores and shopping malls. Hill's extensive industry experience and lighting know-how, which includes close relationships with top lighting designers, architects, lighting specialists and wholesalers, along with his two years as head of Martin Italy, brings an invaluable level of expertise to the position. His past experience encompasses major Italian projects in churches, museums, historical buildings and retail chain businesses in the fashion and auto industry.
"When asked if I would be interested in taking over the responsibility of developing the company's international retail sector, I immediately said yes," Hill comments. "Because of my personal skills and experience in this market segment, it is an excellent fit and I look forward to developing this important business area further. I look forward to the challenge it presents and welcome the opportunity to meet people I have worked with previously."
Hill, a Brit yet long time resident of Italy, came to Martin Professional from Erco Illuminazione Srl where he served as managing director. Prior to that, he was employed by iGuzzini, giving him over 25 years of lighting industry experience.

RCF Appoints New Far East Sales Area Manager

RCF have announced the appointment of Alessandro Barbieri (pictured) as their new sales area manager for the Far East.
Barbieri is no stranger to travel, having previously worked as area manager for other Italian companies in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. Commenting on his appointment Barbieri said: "I feel that I'm joining RCF at a very pivotal time, both for the group itself and the high level of products that they are manufacturing."

L-Acoustics Appoints New Sales Staff

L-Acoustics has appointed two new sales managers: Tim McCall and Peter Owen.

Owen will handle Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, India and the Middle East, a territory he was keen to represent having grown up in Doha. He previously worked for Harman's UK distributor Arbiter, Martin Audio and Biamp. "I've always admired L-Acoustics for their belief in finding the right partnerships, and not just closing the next sale," he says. "The products have been at the leading edge for almost two decades now, and it takes something special to stay ahead of the game for that long."

McCall, who has spent the last decade working for BSS and Turbosound respectively, will handle southern Europe, Africa and Australasia/Oceania. "I'm very excited by the opportunity to work for such a principled and technologically-driven company," says McCall. "I am looking forward to working with our partners - be they distributors, installers, rental companies or consultants - across a diverse territory, and I believe that my experience, L-Acoustics' philosophy and products and our partners' local knowledge is an unbeatable combination."

Adds Jochen Frohn, L-Acouistics' director of business development: "Due to our expanding business, we've had to increase the number of sales staff. In Peter and Tim we have found what I would call ‘young veterans' - two sales managers who've worked for many years with a worldwide customer base, with vast experience in touring and installed sound. They will be able to offer professional guidance and technical expertise to their clients, and both are perfectly suited to the cultural challenge of the positions. Last but not least, they are two personalities who fit perfectly into our team!"
 
In picture: Peter Owen and Tim McCall, L-Acoustics' new sales managers.

Patrick Jordan: 27 March 1965 - 10 April 2009

A wonderful father, partner, brother, uncle, nephew, friend and colleague.                                                    

Patrick lived together with Clare and their two sons, Sebastian and William. He was so very proud of them and loved spending time with them both at home, in the work environment and on holiday.

Since 1993 he had been working for Mojo Barriers. He found his work both challenging and rewarding. He was a hard-working, enthusiastic colleague, full of plans for now and the future, and always one step ahead. 

On Friday April 10, 2009 Patrick Jordan unexpectedly passed away at the age of 44.
To say that he will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues is an understatement. He will, however, never be forgotten.

Messages of Condolence can be submitted to: Ourmemoryof.com/patrickjordan

Patrick Jordan featured in the March issue of Entertainment Technology in our ‘Goodbye Guesswork' feature on Mojo Barriers new Gatekeeper system.

Patrick Jordan pictured by etnow editor John Offord at the recent Event Show in London.

 

From Graham Brown of Resource PR

As the managing director of the Mojo Barriers since 1993, Patrick Jordan worked at the highest level in the live music and event industries. He was an inspirational man who took what seemed to be one of the most utilitarian pieces of concert equipment, an aluminium barrier, and through it focused the minds of promoters, production managers and academics on saving lives through effective crowd safety at live events.

Patrick’s passionate professionalism for his business saw him create the world’s most respected crowd barrier company, the Mojo Barriers, continually raising levels of audience and artist safety through the implementation of improved working practices and technological innovations.

In 2006 Patrick was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Buckingham New University in recognition for the significant contribution to research into crowd safety at live events.

For all of that Patrick will be remembered for the way he touched so many people on a personal level. His genial personality led to him being known as the ‘gentle giant’. Patrick was the calm in the eye of the storm, injected his great sense of humour into every situation and was a ‘can do’ man who achieved great things in his all too short life.

Patrick was a wonderful friend and colleague who has left us too early, with a great legacy to keep alive.

Bill Sapsis USITT Fellow

Sapsis Rigging, Inc. has announced that it's founder and president, Bill Sapsis, has been named a Fellow of the Institute by the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. The presentation was made during the Fellows address and award ceremony during the recent USITT Conference in Cincinnati.

In his introduction of Bill, Joe Aldridge, Vice President for Conferences for USITT and a Fellow in his own right, noted that Bill "is an inspiration to young technicians entering the industry."

The honorary designation of Fellow of the Institute is bestowed for life upon those members who have made a truly outstanding contribution to the theatre and the work of the Institute. Bill Sapsis commented: "The Fellows are well known for their commitment to the members of the Institute, especially the students and I am deeply honored to now be part of their company."

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