Personnel Shuffles Announced at Planar, Riedel, Powersoft, and Other Industry Leaders
Last week saw significant developments in the Pro AV industry, with notable personnel moves, expansions, and new product launches.
AVI-SPL, a leading Pro AV integrator, is set to undergo a significant change with its acquisition by 26North. While specific leadership shifts and expanded resources have not been detailed yet, this acquisition is expected to bring about changes within the company.
Meanwhile, in terms of space, ADI and Snap One opened a new store in Omaha, Nebraska. The new location, spanning over 15,000 square feet, is more than double the size of the previous one. It showcases the best offerings from both ADI and Snap One under one roof, with increased inventory that includes more than 100 consumer TVs and over 500 Snap One SKUs.
In the realm of personnel, Quam Nichols welcomes Todd Eddy as VP of sales and marketing at his company, tasked with driving sales and marketing initiatives. Mitch Rauch joins Powersoft as its new sales director for the U.S. market, bringing over 20 years of Pro AV channel management experience. Riedel Communications appoints Jason Barden as its new regional sales director for the Central America, Caribbean, and Latin America (CALA/LATAM) market.
Luke Bailey joins Planar as regional account manager for New England, responsible for Planar's sales initiatives across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Planar expands its U.S. sales team with the hires of Todd Miller and Luke Bailey.
James Oliver, previously serving as partner and chief strategy officer at PK Sound, and director of marketing and sales for Adamson Systems Engineering, joins ACT Entertainment as its new VP of strategic partnerships, tasked with developing a live sound division.
Hassan Abu Minshar, with over two decades of experience in the Pro AV industry and in live events, is appointed as technical sales manager for the MENA region by Brompton Technology. Morten Lave joins JOYNED as chief technology officer (CTO), tasked with spearheading JOYNED's R&D efforts. Lave's AVB/Milan software will now be integrated into JOYNED's suite of offerings.
The new Omaha location of ADI and Snap One also offers a 24-hour pick-up room, plus delivery and shipping options. It also features a customer coffee and comfort hub.
In addition to these developments, Sony Sports Business has acquired KinaTrax to expand player performance accuracy. Genelec has opened a new Seoul Experience Center, offering expert advice on Genelec technology and a high-quality critical listening environment.
Christie will present a masterclass on virtual production process at HUB Montréal, a three-day event for digital creative industries. Chyron has partnered with VICTORY+ to provide creative services and live graphics production capabilities. Jetbuilt has formed its Vendor Advisory Council, composed of influential figures from the Pro AV industry.
The latest revision of the AES70 standard for Open Control Architecture, AES70-2024, is now available from the OCA Alliance. Brompton Technology's new website showcases the company's extensive capabilities and strategic alignment with the Neutrik Group.
These developments suggest that the Pro AV industry is expanding and evolving, with a focus on innovation, growth, and customer-centric initiatives.
- The acquisition of AVI-SPL by 26North could potentially impact the business strategies and financial structure of the company.
- The merge is expected to introduce new features and resources within AVI-SPL, potentially influencing its standing in the Pro AV industry.
- ADI and Snap One have expanded their retail presence with a new store in Omaha, Nebraska, offering a broader range of products in the field of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden.
- The new store also caters to the needs of consumers in the financial sector, with personal-finance solutions and gadgets available.
- In the events industry, James Oliver has joined ACT Entertainment to develop a live sound division, bringing his expertise from the music industry.
- The expansion of the Pro AV industry is not limited to traditional industries; cybersecurity, data-and-cloud-computing, and technology are also seeing increased attention, such as Morten Lave's integration of AVB/Milan software into JOYNED's offerings.
- The food-and-drink industry is also associating with Pro AV; for example, Sony Sports Business has expanded player performance accuracy with its acquisition of KinaTrax.
- Genelec is capitalizing on the travel industry by opening a new Seoul Experience Center to showcase its audiotechnology to a broader audience.
- The sports industry is also embracing Pro AV, as evidenced by Chyron's partnership with VICTORY+ to provide creative services and live graphics production capabilities.
- The growth of the Pro AV industry is accompanied by significant developments in artificial-intelligence and technology, as demonstrated by the launch of a virtual production process masterclass by Christie.
