Pro Media Audio Video
Pro Media Audio Video, a division of Clair Global, has entered the European marketplace under the guidance of newly appointed director Eddie Thomas. Bringing 30 years of experience to the role, he is charged with developing global business for PMAV-EU from an office at Britannia Row Productions’ Twickenham HQ. Thomas has a background in stadium and arena projects, and working in audio system network design with consultants, contractors and architectural specialists.
Freedman Electronics
Freedman Electronics, parent company of Røde Microphones, has appointed former Australian politician, federal treasurer of Australia, and Australian ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey to its board of directors. Hockey joins Røde founder and chairman Peter Freedman on the newly established board; additional appointments will be made to the board this year. It is a time of flux for the company, as it opens a new R&D facility in Europe and undergoes further expansion of its operations in China and the United States.
SE Audiotechnik
SE Audiotechnik has expanded its sales team with the appointments of Manfred Sumfleth as sales manager for Germany and Andreas Mayerl as sales director export. Sumfleth, based in Hamburg, advises sound and lighting rental companies, installation companies and system houses throughout Germany on SE audio technology sound reinforcement solutions. In addition, he manages his own warehouse. Meanwhile, Mayerl has been in the music industry since 1986, 30 years of which he spent with a globally successful German manufacturer. As head of international sales, he was responsible for building up its worldwide distribution network.
Void Acoustics
Void Acoustics has added audio engineer Sacha Hodges as marketing assistant. Hodges joins Amy Harvey, who has recently been promoted to marketing manager. A singer-songwriter who recently graduated from dBs Music, the Sound and Music Institute in Bristol, England, with a degree in audio production and sound engineering, Hodges will be focused on the continuing development and expansion of Void Acoustics’ audience and customer base, raising brand awareness and global recognition for the company.
Bryston
Bryston has appointed Dave Kakenmaster director of sales, U.S. This position complements existing sales infrastructure for Bryston and is expected to provide enhanced service and support for U.S. dealers. Based in the Denver, CO, region, Kakenmaster brings a record of success in the specialty audio/video channel to Bryston, with prior sales experience at brands including Polk Audio, Definitive Technology and GoldenEar Technology. He works in conjunction with the Bryston team and reports to CEO James Tanner.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center has appointed Paul Gimenez director of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. In his role, Gimenez will partner with key stakeholders across the Guitar Center enterprise in order to design, develop and lead the company’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative and related programs. He will also provide strategic advice and counsel to the organization’s senior leadership on diversity-related issues. Previously, Gimenez worked as director at New York-based firm Mentora Labs, where he provided executive-level support to develop programs, streamline training initiatives and create learning tools to deepen the understanding of leadership, culture building, peer-to-peer collaboration and diversity and inclusion. Prior to that, he worked as a research and solutions consultant at NeuroLeadership Institute, also based in NYC, where he spearheaded the development of diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Paragon 360
Paragon 360 has announced the addition of Jeff Pavelec, client representative, to its team. Pavelec was most recently employed at Excellence Marketing, Mid-America, based in St. Louis, MO, where he was an independent manufacturer’s representative servicing over 200 integrators. At Excellence Marketing and with his prior experience at B.C. Electronics, Pavelec represented QSC, Allen & Heath, Biamp, Audix, Middle Atlantic, Atlas, Whirlwind and other AVL manufacturers. Pavelec’s integration experience includes six years of AVL sales, system design and vendor management for houses of worship at Stark Raving Solutions.
Sound Lounge
New York City’s Sound Lounge, an independent provider of sound services for advertising, television and feature films, announced its new commercial production team as it promoted Lauren Mullen to senior producer, and added producer Camila Dayson Aravena and production coordinator Matt Smith to the lineup. In her role, Mullen will manage the day-to-day production aspects of the studio’s commercial division and supervise its team of producers. During her career at Sound Lounge, Mullen has produced mix, voiceover records, and sound design for clients such as Bud Light, Dunkin Donuts, M&M’s and the New York Knicks. Dayson Aravena joins Sound Lounge from White House Post, while Smith moves up from Sound Lounge’s reception team, and graduated from SUNY Oneonta’s music industry program with a minor in audio production.
Symetrix
Don Zadunayski has joined Symetrix as regional sales manager, overseeing Hawaii, Northern California and Northern Nevada. With a background ranging from first-hand experience as a dealer to managing a network of integrators, distributors and consultants for Bose Corp.’s Pro Division, Zadunayski brings years of experience to the role. Scott Wrege, Symetrix U.S. national sales director, noted, “Don spent the last 20 years working for Bose building sales teams, driving revenue growth and maximizing profits. As Symetrix continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to leveraging Don’s expertise in our sales channel.”