MultiDyne is turning 50. Nanolumens is celebrating two decades with a new headquarters. Advanced Systems Group, Planar, Renkus-Heinz, and Chryon made strategic personnel moves. It was another hectic week on the Pro AV news wire.

[FORTÉ Research Dives into AI, Collaboration Spaces]

Sit back, relax, and get caught up with your weekly does of Pro AV Newsmakers.

[Apogee Insight Acquires PMA Research]

Ampetronic | Listen Technologies Names Vice President of Human Resources

Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have named Chris Linford VP of human resources (HR). Linford has been a consultant to Ampetronic | Listen Technologies for the past 11 months as the two brands have aligned leadership, resources, and over 65 years of combined experience under Allvida, a group of accessibility-focused companies. Linford continues to work with Maile Keone, president and CEO of Ampetronic | Listen Technologies, and the executive team in this new role.

In her role, Linford helps shape the culture at Ampetronic | Listen Technologies as she oversees talent acquisition, employee experience, performance management, compliance, learning and development, and total rewards. She ensures HR practices are scalable, compliant, and aligned with the organization’s mission.

Linford is an experienced senior HR executive and people leader. She has expertise in HR operations, succession planning, organizational development, and diversity and inclusion. Previously, Linford held senior HR and chief people officer roles at organizations across the financial services industry. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation.

ASG Names Kevin Poole Senior Project and Support Manager

Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Kevin Poole as senior project and support manager within the ASG Workflow and Tools practice. Poole’s role is a newly created position designed to strengthen project execution and post-sale client support within the group. Poole reports to Joe Marchitto, CTO, Workflow and Tools.

The bulk of his responsibilities involves managing the team’s project coordination and supporting its Southern California client base. In this role, he serves as a central point of contact for its customers once a project moves forward, helping ensure deployments run smoothly and issues are resolved quickly.

Eric Wolff Joins Chyron as Director of Venues Sales, North America

Chyron announced today the appointment of Eric Wolff as director of venues sales, North America. Wolff comes to Chyron with a wealth of relevant experience having served previously as director, broadcast operations and media production for T-Mobile Arena, with prior stints in lead production roles with the Arizona Cardinals, Van Wagner (NCAA Championships), and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Initially, Wolff’s role focuses on growth in the collegiate and minor league space.

"I’m incredibly proud and excited to join such a world‑class organization as Chyron," Wolff said. "In my 35 years in this industry, Chyron has always stood out as a true leader, and it’s an honor to now be part of the team. I can’t wait to contribute to the work of the best in the business."

Planar Expands U.S. Sales Force with West Coast Additions

Planar has expanded its U.S. sales force with the addition of two West Coast team members. The company recently welcomed a new regional sales director as well as business development manager for the company’s Consultants, Architect and Design (CAD) Group.

Antonio Dias leads Planar’s sales initiatives across the Western U.S. as regional sales director. He brings nearly 20 years of Pro AV industry experience, joining from Crestron Electronics where he held senior leadership roles supporting consultants, resellers, industry partners and end users. Recognized for his collaborative leadership style and strategic approach, Dias is well-positioned to strengthen relationships and deliver value for Planar’s reseller partners and customers throughout the region. He will report to Tani Klein, VP of North America Sales, and be supported by a seasoned team of regional account managers and applications engineers across the Western U.S.

Planar also welcomed Douglas Schoenherr as the company’s CAD Group business development manager for the Western U.S. He joins with nearly 30 years of experience in the Pro AV industry with a strong focus on consultant engagement and specification development. He previously served as consultant liaison at Biamp, where he cultivated strong relationships with AV/IT and MEP design consultants across the Southwest U.S. His experience working with the consultant community will help strengthen Planar’s engagement with architects, designers and technical consultants, supporting the specification of Planar displays across a wide range of applications. He is based in the Denver area and will report to Lainie Mataras, general manager of the CAD Group, and work closely with Applications Engineers Orlando Helena and Dusty Masanz.

Renkus-Heinz Welcomes Tony Jacques

Renkus-Heinz is continuing to expand its Tech Support operations with the latest addition of Tony Jacques as applications engineer. He serves as a key technical resource for integrators, consultants, and end users, providing hands-on guidance and supporting the deployment of Renkus-Heinz solutions across a wide range of applications.

Jacques’ audio background has taken him all over the world, working in a range of fields that have provided him with the expertise to strengthen the customer support of one of the world’s leading loudspeaker manufacturers. His career spans live sound, touring, installation, broadcast, and event production, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the challenges audio professionals face every day.

Events

TOLA Expo 2026 Set for Its Largest Gathering Yet in Dallas

The 6th Annual TOLA Expo returns to Dallas on May 6–7, 2026, at the Dallas Trade Mart (Atrium), bringing together custom integration professionals from across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas—and beyond for the region’s largest residential technology trade show and education event.

Building on the success of the 2025 Expo—which welcomed nearly 200 integration companies and more than 500 attendees—TOLA Expo 2026 will deliver an expanded show floor, new technologies, and increased participation from across the custom integration channel.

Hosted in the Grand Pavilion Atrium at the Dallas Trade Mart, the four-story, glass-ceiling venue creates an engaging environment for hands-on interaction with factory experts from leading brands including Lutron, Nice, DMF, Samsung, Kaleidescape, Sonance, Proluxe, eero, Josh.ai, Epson, and more.

Partnerships, Anniversaries, and More

Bogen Communications Announces Technology Partnership With 911Cellular

Bogen Communications has announced a technology partnership with 911Cellular, a developer of critical communication technology, including silent panic buttons, mass communication software, and an incident management platform for K-12 schools nationwide. The integration connects 911Cellular panic buttons with Bogen Communications’ Nyquist IP-based paging platform to enhance emergency notification and response coordination.

Through the integration, when a 911Cellular panic button is activated, an alert is transmitted to the Nyquist system. The Nyquist platform can then broadcast emergency messages across multiple audio and visual channels, helping ensure that staff and other designated stakeholders are promptly informed of the situation and provided with response instructions. The integration is designed to reduce response times and limit incident severity by ensuring that key details surrounding an event are communicated quickly and clearly. By linking 911Cellular’s blend of software and hardware-based alerting tools with Bogen Communications’ infrastructure, schools can align notification workflows with established safety protocols.

Green Hippo Debuts Hands-On Hippotizer Media Server Training at Pixel Academy

Green Hippo launched its new Hippotizer Media Server training courses at Pixel Academy, a purpose‑built AV learning hub combining hands-on creativity, real‑world technology, and expert‑led instruction. Green Hippo and sister brand tvONE, both part of ACT Entertainment, have created Pixel Academy to equip the next generation of live events and AV professionals with the skills to deliver immersive and interactive visual experiences.

Based inside Green Hippo’s R&D Innovation Centre in Maidenhead, just 20 minutes from London Heathrow, the Academy gives direct access to the latest high‑performance tools, including the Hippotizer MX Series Media Servers, CALICO PRO creative video processors, and a full suite of high-resolution LED displays that create a truly immersive space.

MultiDyne Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems is celebrating its 50th anniversary as NAB Show 2026 approaches, marking five decades of innovation, customer-focused engineering, and sustained growth across the broadcast and live production industries.

Founded in 1976 by Vincent Jachetta, an Italian immigrant and NBC engineer, MultiDyne’s story began with a single breakthrough product developed in the family basement: the TS-1, the broadcast industry’s first portable test signal generator. That invention not only launched the company, but also earned MultiDyne its first Emmy Award and established a guiding philosophy that continues today: identify real-world challenges and engineer precise solutions.

MultiDyne has since evolved from a small family-run operation into a globally recognized provider of fiber-optic transport, signal processing and live production solutions. Along the way, the company has achieved major milestones including two Emmy Awards for technological innovation, strategic business acquisitions, and significant international growth with the 2023 opening of its European office.

In recent years, MultiDyne has experienced its strongest period of growth, achieving record performance while expanding its operational infrastructure, engineering resources and product portfolio. This momentum has been fueled by increasing demand across live production environments spanning broadcast, digital cinema, and professional AV markets.

Nanolumens Marks 20th Anniversary With New Headquarters 

Nanolumens is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 with the opening of a new headquarters in Duluth, GA. The milestone marks two decades of growth for the privately-owned and operated U.S. company, founded in 2006 and based in the greater Atlanta area since its inception.

The new headquarters is nearly 45,000 square feet and consolidates the company’s offices and warehouse operations into a single location. The building includes dedicated warehouse space and increased vertical storage capacity designed to support logistics, product fulfillment and spare product and module management. The move allows Nanolumens to scale operations more efficiently as demand for LED visualization technologies continues to grow.

A major feature of the new headquarters is a 2,500-square-foot demonstration showroom that showcases Nanolumens’ display technologies in real-world environments. The showroom includes application-focused zones highlighting use cases such as control room environments, immersive installations and architectural display systems. The showroom integrates technologies from ecosystem partners, including NovaStar, Barco, Megapixel, 7thSense, Pixera, and Smart Monkeys, and content from studios such as Gentilhomme, Render Impact, and Float4, highlighting how display technology, processing platforms, and digital content work together in deployed visual environments. The integrated setup reflects Nanolumens’ approach to supporting complete visualization systems rather than standalone display hardware.

Transformation Entertainment Group to Distribute MuxLab Products in the U.S. Market

Transformation Entertainment Group (TEG) has entered into a new distribution partnership with MuxLab, a global manufacturer of professional AV signal distribution solutions. The agreement expands TEG’s portfolio with MuxLab’s extensive line of AV over IP, matrix switching, signal extension, and connectivity products.

TEG will immediately begin offering MuxLab’s full line of products, including AV over IP systems, HDMI/USB extenders, matrix switchers, and broadcast‑grade connectivity solutions.

Pro AV around the Globe

Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) has a new distribution partnership with Clean Sound & Light SRL, a Romania-based provider of professional audio, lighting and staging solutions. Through the agreement, Clean Sound & Light will serve as the official distributor of EAW products throughout Romania. The partnership marks an important step in strengthening EAW’s presence in Eastern Europe while reintroducing the brand to the Romanian market. With extensive experience supporting AV and staging projects of all sizes, Clean Sound & Light brings strong market knowledge and a project-focused approach that aligns with EAW’s commitment to delivering high-performance, reliable sound solutions.

LEA Professional is expanding its European reach through a newfound partnership with Copenhagen, Denmark-based distributor Matrix Sales. As a premier AV distributor in Denmark, the Matrix Sales team has proven its expertise as it delivers quality AV technology to its customers. Through this partnership, Matrix Sales will represent LEA Professional’s Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity.

Pliant Technologies announced a new distribution partnership with Audio Tecnologias based in Barcelona, Spain. The agreement expands Pliant’s presence in the Spanish market and strengthens Audio Tecnologias’ portfolio of advanced communication systems for broadcast, live events, education, industrial, and corporate applications. Founded in 2008, Audio Tecnologias specializes in the sale of professional audio products and the design and implementation of integrated communication solutions. Over the years, the company has delivered a range of high-profile projects across Spain.

Roland Professional A/V has announced the appointment of DWR Distribution as the official distributor for its product range in South Africa. This partnership represents an important step in Roland’s strategy to expand its presence across the African Pro AV market and strengthen support for integrators, production companies, houses of worship, corporate AV teams, and content creators across the region.

There were more people on the move and partnerships made last week. On top of that, L-Acoustics and Adder Technology opened new digs. Take a look at what you may have missed in this week's Pro AV Newsmakers.

[SCN Stellar Service Awards 2026 Nominations Now Open]

People News

Advanced Systems Group Promotes Jody Boatwright to Chief Strategy Officer

Advanced Systems Group has appointed Jody Boatwright as chief strategy officer where he leads research and guides ASG’s future direction as the business evolves. Boatwright works across ASG leadership as well as industry leaders and economic issues that impact the company’s media and entertainment business. Boatwright’s experience as VP and general manager of Managed Services, a role he held for nearly 11 years, is directly applicable to this new role. As chief strategy officer, Boatwright is focused less on day-to-day operations and more on developing future-facing initiatives.

Before joining ASG to run the Managed Services team, he spent a decade in systems integration, often working directly with ASG as a strategic partner. He then spent nearly 11 years inside ASG, focusing on the services side of the business: managed service operations, production, creative services, and, most notably, building and leading the company’s managed services practice. That background allows him to step back and look across the entire business. He cited software-defined workflows, storage, and consulting as areas of focus.

Broadsign Accelerates APAC Expansion

Broadsign has made four key appointments across the Asia-Pacific region. With consistent growth across OOH and in-store advertising, the company is scaling its APAC footprint to meet escalating market demand and continue providing best-in-class service for its customers and partners. The new hires include:

Adel Dani Kabbara joins as regional service delivery director across APAC and holds extensive experience across customer success, technical account management, strategy, and technical solutions, gained through his time with the likes of Criteo, Tealium, and RadiumOne. Kabbara is responsible for ensuring implementation and customer success across the region.

Alec Jeffrey joined Broadsign in early 2026 from B2B publisher Octomedia, where he served as group sales manager. In his new role as sales executive, Jeffrey is responsible for driving adoption of Broadsign’s recently enhanced platform amongst OOH media owners and retailers.

Alexandra Martin also joins the business as sales executive, working with brands, agencies, and demand-side partners to deliver further growth across the programmatic OOH ecosystem. Martin brings deep media expertise and relationships from the likes of Seedtag, JustEggs Digital, and SBS Australia, where she has previously held a number of sales- and solutions-focused roles.

In addition to the above hires, Bryan Magee has recently joined Broadsign in a consultative capacity, focused on the implementation and delivery of Broadsign’s automation strategy. Magee brings a wealth of OOH and agency experience, having previously held numerous senior roles with Dentsu and WPP Media. More recently, Magee has consulted for numerous tech companies, start-ups, and media agencies.

Partnerships and Company News

OCVIBE and Daktronics Announce Technology Partnership

OCVIBE, the 100-acre mixed-use development transforming the area surrounding Honda Center, announced a partnership with Daktronics. The collaboration will bring a fully integrated digital display system able to power large-scale, high-impact digital moments across the OCVIBE campus. Centered around 20,000 square feet of high-impact LED digital displays in the district’s Urban Park, the technology package will create a seamless, immersive environment that elevates the overall guest experience, improves wayfinding, and sets the stage for real-time engagement opportunities throughout the district.

As an emerging neighborhood built for daily life and around culture, entertainment, and dining, OCVIBE is incorporating advanced digital display technology into its foundation. Its partnership with Daktronics will ensure the digital surfaces throughout the district will be dynamic, responsive touchpoints that guide, inform, and inspire guests in a creative way each time they visit.

Included in the partnership are a media screen located within the Urban Park measuring 36x126 feet featuring a 8mm pixel spacing, a 32.5x126 foot marquee spanning the Katella and Cerritos parking garages featuring a 10mm pixel spacing, and more than 400 additional digital displays throughout OCVIBE’s parking garages.

L-Acoustics Opens Americas Regional Headquarters in Nashville

Originally reported in December 2024, L-Acoustics has officially opened its first dedicated Americas regional headquarters in Nashville. Located within the CAA Creative Office Building at Nashville Yards, the new 11,100-square-foot facility features the first L-Acoustics Showroom with HYRISS on the American continent and an L-Acoustics Creative Studio equipped with L-ISA and L-Acoustics DJ technology.

The Nashville facility features only the second L-Acoustics Showroom with HYRISS globally, following London’s 2024 opening. This technology makes a single room capable of delivering everything from an intimate dinner party ambiance to full cinematic immersion to live concert sound. The L-Acoustics Creative Studio represents the latest evolution of the format launched in Lititz, PA in 2024 and Singapore in 2025. The studio features both L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology and L-Acoustics DJ, the company’s latest innovation for club and festival environments.

MC Marketing joins Adaptive Technologies Group

Adaptive Technologies Group has appointed MC Marketing to represent its audio and video mounting and rigging designs in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. MC Marketing is an AVL manufacturer's rep firm with over three decades of experience in the professional AVL marketplace and highly recognized by the touring, installed live sound, and AV integration markets.

RF Venue Unveils House of Worship Program

For the specific issues faced by churches, RF Venue has created a cost-free House of Worship Program. Through expert guidance, guesswork can be eliminated, and reliable wireless audio can be achieved that enhances the message and never detracts.”

Anchored on a dedicated landing page, the new program continues the model of RF Venue’s education initiatives and training, providing clear, accessible, brand-agnostic guidance from wireless experts in plain language, without confusion or sales pressure. Resources include a house of worship blog series, videos, webinars, and quick and easy-to-read eBooks that explain concepts applicable to all wireless users.

Yorkville Sound Announces New Canadian Distribution Partnerships

Yorkville Sound is now the Canadian distributor for three new brands. The first is Aguilar Amplification, a New York–based bass amplification brand. Founded in 1995 in New York City, Aguilar Amplification products are used by touring artists and studio professionals around the world for their articulate sound and build quality.

Additionally, Yorkville Sound is the distributor for the Finland-based innovator, Darkglass Electronics. The brand specializes in modern bass amplification and effects, recognized for precision control and artist-driven design. Lastly, Yorkville Sound with be the exclusive Canadian distributor for Spector Musical Instruments. The Brooklyn-founded bass brand is trusted by touring artists and recording professionals around the world for its precision engineering and bold aesthetics,

Pro AV around the Globe

Adder Technology opened its new Customer Experience Center (CXC) at its global headquarters in the U.K. The purpose-built environment marks a decisive step forward in how Adder supports customers evaluating complex technology decisions where connectivity and control are mission-critical.

NDI announced a strategic partnership with Jiaruisen. (JRS), a Shenzhen-based technology distributor, appointing the company as NDI’s official distribution partner for China. Under the new structure, JRS will provide front-line commercial and technical support, including licensing in local currency, product evaluation and certification services. This localized model is designed to remove barriers for Chinese OEMs and product builders integrating NDI into cameras, decoders, converters, switchers, displays and audio devices, delivering a seamless, trusted, and fully localized experience tailored specifically for the domestic market.

It was a quieter week in Pro AV, but there were still partnerships made, new locations opened, and people on the move. Get caught up with what you missed in your weekly dose of Pro AV Newsmakers.

[SCN Stellar Service Awards 2026 Nominations Now Open]

People News

EAW Announces New Inside Sales Team

Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) has promoted Orlando Rosario to inside sales manager, international, and Christina Luccini to inside sales support for the United States and Canada.

After serving as inside sales manager for the U.S. market and supporting the LATAM market, Rosario now oversees international inside sales operations. He brings more than 15 years of experience across sales, operations, and technical roles, including positions at GE Healthcare, Cognex Corporation and Waters Corporation. Luccini's promotion follows her marketing and sales internships. In her new position, she provides sales support and customer service across North American markets.

Company News

Blackwire Designs Announces New Strategic DistributionPartnership With eero

Blackwire Designs has a new strategic distribution agreement with eero, an Amazon company and pioneer in mesh networking. This partnership brings eero’s lineup of fast, reliable, and secure Wi-Fi systems to Blackwire’s extensive dealer network, offering a streamlined solution for high-performance networking without the traditional complexity of enterprise-grade hardware.

The partnership focuses on eero’s professional-grade hardware, including the eero Max 7, which utilizes advanced Wi-Fi 7 technology and multi-gigabit connectivity to support high-bandwidth applications in modern smart homes. For expansive properties, the IP66-rated eero Outdoor 7 provides reliable coverage up to 15,000 square feet. The agreement also includes eero’s Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions, such as the eero PoE 6 and the eero PoE Gateway, which feature centralized power management and high-speed wired ports to simplify large-scale residential and commercial installations.

Dimensional Innovations Transitions to Employee Ownership

Dimensional Innovations, headquartered in Kansas City, has transitioned to an employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The move reinforces the firm's long-term independence while giving employees a direct stake in its continued growth. Dimensional Innovations delivers large-scale experience design and fabrication projects for professional and collegiate sports franchises, higher education institutions, healthcare systems, and Fortune 500 companies nationwide.

As private equity investment accelerates across the design and fabrication sector, Dimensional Innovations is taking an alternative approach by placing ownership in the hands of its employees. Company leadership believes the model strengthens accountability, deepens collaboration and encourages forward thinking for both employees and clients.

Lectrosonics Appoints Mizzen Marketing as Manufacturers Representative for TOLA Region

Lectrosonics has appointed Mizzen Marketing as its new manufacturers’ representative firm for the TOLA region (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas). Mizzen Marketing represents the full Lectrosonics product line, bringing its technical expertise and customer support to the Pro AV, house of worship, and production sound markets in the territory.

Founded in 2005, Mizzen Marketing has established a strong reputation for providing superior support to manufacturers and integration partners. Under the recent leadership of principal and president Lisa Peveler, who acquired the firm in late 2025, and partner Alec Brognano, the company has, as described by Peveler, “launched into a Mizzen 2.0 era.” This evolution expands their focus beyond traditional audio/video integration to include a robust portfolio of high-end audio and production solutions.

Legrand | AV, Xyte Partner on Multi-Vendor RackLink Cloud Platform with AI-Driven Automation

Legrand | AV and Xyte have expanded Legrand | AV’s RackLink Cloud platform enabling broader support of third-party audiovisual (AV) and unified communication (UC) devices via Xyte’s Connect+ ecosystem. Building on the long-standing collaboration between Legrand | AV and Xyte, including a 2025 initiative that connected multiple Legrand | AV product lines to the Xyte cloud, the RackLink Cloud is now evolving into a vendor-agnostic solution.

Through Xyte’s Connect+ ecosystem, RackLink Cloud users can monitor and control not only Legrand | AV devices but also a wide variety of third-party devices within a single interface. This unified, multi-vendor approach eliminates siloed monitoring tools by bringing disparate devices together under one infrastructure, helping reduce downtime, streamline workflows, and improve user experiences for enterprise customers and integrators.

RackLink Cloud is built on an open architecture that supports collaboration with multiple technology partners, ensuring customers benefit from flexibility, interoperability, and choice as cloud and AI capabilities continue to evolve.

Riedel Opens Kuala Lumpur Office to Strengthen Global 24/7 Software and IT Support

Riedel Communications has officially opened a new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a strategic expansion of its global customer success and IT software support capabilities. The new facility reinforces Riedel’s commitment to providing "round-the-clock" expertise as its portfolio continues to evolve toward software-driven and service-based media workflows.

The Kuala Lumpur office officially opened its doors on Jan. 28 and is led by Mustapha Kamal, service and support manager, who has returned to his home city after four years in Wuppertal. To mark the opening, Riedel welcomed Malaysian partners and customers to the new facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hands-on technology demonstrations, and networking sessions, offering guests insight into the role of the Kuala Lumpur team and how it supports Riedel customers locally and globally.

PSNI Global Alliance has announced a strategic alignment with Microsoft to further support enterprise customers deploying Microsoft workplace and collaboration solutions globally. Through this alignment, PSNI Certified Solution Providers will participate in Microsoft’s AI Powered Workplace Community, gaining access to enhanced enablement, technical guidance, and ecosystem engagement designed to support the successful deployment, adoption, and ongoing optimization of Microsoft workplace technologies.

[A Brighter Tomorrow]

“Enterprise customers expect reliability, scalability, and consistency when deploying workplace technology across regions,” said Tom Roberts, PSNI director of vendor programs. “This alignment helps ensure our Certified Solution Providers are further equipped with the insight, resources, and ecosystem engagement needed to meet those expectations.”

As part of the alignment, PSNI and Microsoft will collaborate on CSP enablement and knowledge-sharing initiatives focused on supporting enterprise collaboration outcomes. The effort underscores the role of qualified, globally coordinated integrators in delivering long-term value from workplace technology investments. By aligning more closely with Microsoft’s workplace ecosystem, PSNI CSPs are positioned to deliver solutions that reflect current platform capabilities, best practices, and evolving workplace strategies.

“Microsoft technologies are deeply embedded in enterprise environments worldwide,” Roberts continued. “This alignment strengthens our ability to support enterprise end-users by ensuring our global integrator community remains closely connected to Microsoft’s workplace innovation and delivery standards.”

There were a lot of people on the move last week. SCN Hall of Famer, Kirsten Nelson, joined Extron and Amanda Wildman became the first woman to hold the chairperson role in CEDIA’s history. There were plenty more, so get caught up on the week that was below.

[SCN's ISE Insiders 2026]

People News

AtlasIED Appoints Joey Palkowitch as Director of Commercial Audio Sales

AtlasIED appointed Joey Palkowitch as director of commercial audio sales. In this role, Palkowitch will lead the company’s commercial audio strategy and market development efforts across key verticals, including education, industrial, corporate, and hospitality.

With over a decade of experience in driving commercial audio growth, Palkowitch is well positioned to take AtlasIED to the next level. He specializes in building high-performing sales teams, leading strategic partnerships, and executing scalable go-to-market strategies across complex ecosystems. Palkowitch has worked for multiple leading manufacturers and distributors to serve the integration, consultant, and end-user channels in the commercial audiovisual industry.

Palkowitch works with the AtlasIED sales staff, independent manufacturer reps, and key partners to help grow and strengthen channel relationships and increase sales in strategically targeted verticals. Additionally, his role is integral in bringing feedback from the field to product and engineering teams to help develop solutions specific to integrators’ challenges.

AVPro Global Names Matt Murray CEO

AVPro Global appointed Matt Murray, formerly chief technology officer, as chief executive officer while AVPro founder Jeff Murray transitions from CEO to chairman of the board. Matt, a seasoned senior leader who, alongside his father, built the foundation of AVPro, now leads the organization’s day‑to‑day and long‑term operations. Matt assumes overall leadership of the enterprise while Jeff, remains deeply engaged in strategy, governance, and mentoring. This planned generational leadership evolution honors AVPro’s heritage and opens new dimensions for future growth and innovation.

Matt’s appointment as CEO reflects his long‑standing commitment to AVPro’s customers, employees, and products, demonstrated by the way he has architected the company’s backbone and growth engine over the past decade. He has led the build‑out of AVPro’s operational infrastructure, including implementing the ERP platform (Enterprise Resource Planning), establishing a disciplined new product development system, and expanding the brand portfolio, which now serves a wide range of residential and commercial AV partners. With this experience and customer‑first mindset, Matt is well positioned to guide AVPro into its next phase, delivering innovative solutions while strengthening the culture and capabilities that have made the company a trusted partner around the world.

CEDIA Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

CEDIA welcomed several additions to its Global Board of Directors for the 2026-2028 term. Following a slate vote approved by CEDIA members, integrators Rich Green of Rich Green Design, Jennifer Mallett of Level Up Automation, and James Ratcliffe of Homeplay have now assumed their positions as board directors. Joining them will be board-appointed members, Kris Hogg of Samsung and Maryellen Oswald of Somfy.

The newly elected slate of officers forming the executive committee will be led by chairperson Amanda Wildman. An integrator and president/owner of TruMedia Home, Wildman becomes the first woman to hold the chairperson role in CEDIA’s history. Alongside her, Edward Gilmore will serve as vice chairperson, Stuart Tickle as treasurer, and James Chen as secretary. Former chairperson Alex Capecelatro will assume the role of Immediate past chairperson and remain on the executive committee.

The DAK Group Welcomes Denis Pozigun

Denis Pozigun, a globally recognized operating executive and M&A strategist with two decades of experience has joined The DAK Group's Integrated Systems and Live Experiences Practice. Pozigun brings deep sector expertise spanning integrated systems, mission-critical environments, broadcast, and live events.

Most recently, Pozigun led the global AV practice at Convergint, where he oversaw complex, multinational operations serving enterprise and mission-critical clients. Prior to that, he played a key role in international expansion initiatives at Diversified, giving him a first-hand perspective on platform scaling, cross-border integration, and value creation in highly technical environments.

At The DAK Group, Pozigun works closely with Ari Fuchs, managing director, to advise owners and investors navigating increasingly sophisticated M&A processes across the integrated systems and live experiences sectors. His operator-focused background enhances DAK’s ability to help clients translate operational complexity into clear equity narratives and position their businesses for premium outcomes.

Extron Welcomes SCN Hall of Famer Kirsten Nelson as New PR Manager

Extron appointed SCN Hall of Famer Kirsten Nelson as public relations manager. Nelson has over 25 years of experience in the Pro AV industry, encompassing publishing, journalism, technology communications, event programming, and hosting. Her background in editorial direction and content strategy will enhance Extron’s communications and strengthen its relationships.

Nelson’s career highlights include serving as lead editor at Systems Contractor News for over 16 years and co-founded Residential Systems magazine. She created and launched multiple editorial franchises that continue today, including the SCN Nine, the SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators list, the SCN Hall of Fame, and Executive Q&A interview series. Nelson won the WAVE (Women in AV) Mentor Award in 2013 and was named to the SCN Hall of Fame in 2025. Her efforts have contributed to major industry initiatives, including AVIXA’s Center Stage at InfoComm. She also founded Cohort Assemble, an event series that focuses on creative technology and immersive experience design. Her appointment reflects Extron’s ongoing commitment to thought leadership and strategic communications.

Pliant Technologies Expands Sales Team

Pliant Technologies appointed Adam Grede as the company’s new regional sales manager. In this role, Grede supports all sales efforts for Pliant products to serve customers on the West Coast as well as across North America.

Based in Southern California, Grede joins a geographically diverse but tightly integrated sales team, working closely with regional sales manager Matthew Lott based in the New York metro area, and sales administrator Kathy Belcher, who operates from Pliant’s headquarters in Auburn, AL. Together, the team will work as a unified group to ensure responsive, consistent support across all regions.

Company News

cavlo Trade Show Reformats and Returns to Music City

The cavlo Trade Show is returning to the entertainment mecca of Nashville, TN, for its spring 2026 show. cavlo will bring the professional AVL community together at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro for a two-day event. The regional audio, video, and lighting technology trade show will feature nearly 50 exhibitors, a free welcome reception, and educational breakout sessions for attendees.

cavlo will take place on April 22-23rd at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro, just outside Nashville. The show floor opens at 4:00pm on the 22nd, with the complimentary Welcome Reception from 5-7:00pm; the show resumes on the 23rd at 9:00am. Breakout sessions begin at 1:00pm on the 22nd and continue on the 23rd. With discussion panels and educational sessions led by professionals in the design, integration, production and end-user communities. cavlo promises to be a great opportunity for AVL folks in the Southeastern US to convene. Complimentary registration to attend the show will open on Monday, February 23rd. cavlo is a trade-only event. For more information on exhibiting or sponsoring, or to register to attend, visit http://www.cavlo.tech.

DirectOut Expands into the US with New Subsidiary

DirectOut launched DirectOut LLC, its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary following recent strong growth and after more than 15 years of presence in the United States through its distribution partners. DirectOut LLC operates as a fully owned subsidiary of DirectOut GmbH but with a high degree of autonomy, enabling the team to respond quickly to the specific needs of the U.S. professional audio market. The company’s new headquarters in Fort Wayne, IN, also house its U.S. warehouse, streamlining logistics for customers across the region.

Vaino Gennaro has been appointed managing director of DirectOut LLC and will oversee all U.S. operations.

QuickLink Expands U.S. Reach With Midwich Distribution 

QuickLink announced a new U.S. distribution partnership with Midwich. Midwich will distribute QuickLink’s full portfolio of remote production and live contribution tools to resellers and integrators across the United States. The collaboration expands access to QuickLink’s innovative solutions while providing Midwich’s customers with the technical expertise, support and market experience needed to deploy high-quality, low-latency video workflows efficiently.

Pro AV Around the World

AtlasIED announced multiple strategic distribution partnerships with U.K.-based Solstice Marketing, ProAUDIO-AVT, serving Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and UpOut, based in Turkey. Solstice Marketing offers a full suite of AV solutions, with customer service being a primary driver for its team. Headquartered in Wrocław, and with offices in Warsaw (Warszawa), Kraków, and Gdynia, ProAUDIO-AVT has delivered high-quality audio solutions to customers throughout Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia for over 35 years. Based in Istanbul and specializing in AV technology, UpOut is entirely focused on improving the customer experience.

Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have enlisted Nvincy Solutions to sell and distribute their combined portfolio of assistive listening and communication solutions in India. Nvincy is a distributor for AV and IT brands, delivering professional grade products and technical support across India.

For more than four years, we have been reporting on the trend of AV/IT companies forming partnerships at a rate we had not seen before. Early on, many of the partnerships were attributed to the unprecedented need for manufacturers to quickly ramp up and offer full videoconferencing and collaboration solutions. These partnerships were clearly displayed at trade show booths at ISE, NAB, and InfoComm.

However, one in particular stood out, and its timing was strategic rather than reactive.

The NETGEAR logo started appearing in the booths of manufacturers in 2019, and by the time the shows returned in 2021, the momentum was well underway. In March 2025, NETGEAR announced its 400th partner.

AV Technology’s content director, Cindy Davis, sat down with NETGEAR’s vice president of marketing and business development, Richard Jonker, to discuss the company’s entry into Pro AV and its strategy of growing the business through partnerships.

Davis: When did NETGEAR launch its first Pro AV product? What was it, and what was the go-to-market strategy?

Jonker: NETGEAR introduced its first Pro AV product in 2017 with the launch of the M4300 series managed switches, which were designed to support both IT and 1- or 10-gigabit AV over IP installations. The M4300 was the first series of switches that we pre-configured for multicast video. That was with SDVOE. We eliminated the complexity associated with configuring networked AV, which was completely new at that time.

The go-to-market strategy was focused on building credibility in the Pro AV space by working with large AV manufacturers and integrators, rather than going through traditional IT channels. We focused since then on education and ease of deployment.

In 2019, a dedicated Pro AV engineering services team was formed to support the needs of AV professionals. This still is the key differentiator with other networking companies, that were more IT-centric in their approach.

Davis: When did NETGEAR sign on its first partner?

Jonker: NETGEAR signed on its first official Pro AV partners in 2018. This was a milestone that came shortly after the initial launch of the M4300 series, as we began building formal relationships with AV manufacturers who were looking for reliable networking solutions for AV deployments.

Davis: When and why did the partner strategy become an important business strategy?

Jonker: The partner strategy became a core business focus in 2019, as NETGEAR recognized that success in the Pro AV space required more than just good products; it required focus, trust, and interoperability.

AV integrators and manufacturers were seeking partners who understood their workflows and could offer support for AV environments. By adding partnerships, NETGEAR could ensure its switches were tested and certified to work seamlessly with leading AV-over-IP platforms, making it easier for integrators to specify NETGEAR into their designs. For broadcasters and production teams, the partnership delivers thoroughly tested, interoperable solutions that simplify deployment while maintaining the critical performance and low-latency demands of live production. This strategy helped establish NETGEAR not just as a vendor, but as a trustworthy solutions partner.

Davis: When did NETGEAR begin ramping up the Pro AV partner program?

Jonker: NETGEAR began significantly ramping up its Pro AV partner program in 2020. This included the development of a formal channel partner ecosystem, joint marketing initiatives, interoperability testing, and building out the Pro AV Design Services team. We also expanded our product line with the launch of the 1 gigabit M4250 series, which featured AV-friendly design elements like port labeling, pre-configured AV profiles, and a sleek aesthetic suited for AV racks. These efforts were all aimed at supporting and growing the partner ecosystem. Most of the features were the direct result of ProAV VIP council input. You could say that the M4250 series was entirely built upon request.

Davis: NETGEAR has partnerships with competitive manufacturers that offer similar products. How does this work?

Jonker: NETGEAR’s philosophy is to be an open and agnostic, or neutral platform provider. We partner with competitive manufacturers, even those that offer their own switches because many of those vendors prefer to focus on their core competencies, like video processing, audio distribution, or control systems. Our role is to provide the cardiovascular system: with a robust, reliable networking infrastructure that allows those solutions to shine. These partnerships are built on the shared goal of simplifying AV over IP deployments and providing end users with the best experience. Even when overlapping offerings exist, the strength of NETGEAR’s networking expertise and support services often makes it a preferred choice in AV system designs.

Davis: What AV industry trends and technologies were the driving forces behind the success of the partnerships?

Jonker: Several trends fueled the success of NETGEAR’s partnerships. First was the industry-wide shift from traditional baseband video (HDMI, SDI) to AV-over-IP, which created a need for high-performance, multicast-capable Ethernet switches. The adoption of standards like SDVoE, Dante, and NDI further fueled the need for compatible, easy-to-deploy network infrastructure. There was, and is, a growing demand for simplified user interfaces and pre-configured solutions that minimize the need for IT expertise in AV projects. No expensive IT technicians, no truck rolls, predictable outcomes. Our investment in creating the NETGEAR AV OS with AV-specific configuration, preset profiles, simple documentation, and white-glove support aligns perfectly with this.

The largest manufacturers, like Crestron and QSC and a few others, decided to recommend and sell the NETGEAR AV switches because it lowered their support cost for AV-over-IP considerably, up to 70 percent.

Davis: How do integrators and end users benefit from these partnerships?

Jonker: Integrators benefit from our 400 partnerships mostly through fast network design and guaranteed interoperability. Having NETGEAR switches certified and validated by AV manufacturers gives integrators confidence in their deployments and reduces the troubleshooting burden. For end users, these partnerships translate into more reliable systems, better performance, and a smoother overall experience. Additionally, NETGEAR’s support infrastructure, including its ProAV Design Services team, gives integrators and end users access to expert assistance when they need it most; this helps projects stay on time and on budget. Integrators want to get in, get out and get paid—without surprises.

LG Electronics (LG) and Ricoh are now collaborating on digital transformation solutions for modern office environments. The two companies will jointly drive sales and marketing activities for their collaborative efforts and will look to explore further business opportunities in the future. This strategic partnership is expected to strengthen LG’s position in the global B2B market. 

“The pairing of Ricoh’s workplace solutions with LG’s advanced display products will deliver impressive value to customers and further establish LG as one of the most trusted providers of integrated solutions in the B2B market,” said Paik Ki-mun, SVP and head of the information display business unit of LG Business Solutions. “LG will continue to pursue strategic partnerships with innovative global companies to create customized solutions for today’s business environment.”

[Startling Numbers on Hybrid Suggest More Work to Be Done]

Ricoh, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and with locations in approximately 200 countries worldwide, supports the hybrid workforces of its customers across the globe through a broad range of solutions, from managed workplace services to document management and intelligence process automation, in addition to printers and copiers. As part of the new agreement, Ricoh will pair select offerings with LG’s premium digital signage products and various other B2B solutions. The combination of products and services from two of the industry’s most respected names will deliver elevated user experience and exceptional customer value. 

According to a survey conducted by Market Research Future, the global digital workplace solutions market is expected to grow from about USD 33.7 billion in 2023 to USD 90.5 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%. LG, which has identified the B2B sector as a key driver of business growth, aims to expand its presence within the sector and to increase its B2B sales to around 45 percent of total sales (from all business divisions) by 2030. The company is continuously expanding its B2B portfolio and is highly proactive in exploring new, high-potential business areas. 

[LG Electronics Acquires a Stake in Mo-Sys—What This Means for Virtual Production]

“This global strategic partnership allows us to combine LG’s advanced displays with Ricoh’s communication services, delivering enhanced workplace experience solutions to customers,” said Takahiro Irisa, senior corporate officer and president of the Ricoh Digital Services Business Unit at Ricoh Company. 

Grass Valley announced a new, multimillion-dollar strategic partnership agreement with Diversified. This partnership underscores a shared vision to lead the future of media technology, ensuring that clients are equipped with the most advanced tools and support to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment. Grass Valley will leverage Diversified's extensive integration and services expertise to enhance its offerings and deliver comprehensive solutions to broadcasters, content creators and media organizations. 

"This agreement with Diversified illustrates Grass Valley’s commitment to support client needs via our trusted integration and reseller partners," said Tim Banks, chief revenue officer at Grass Valley. "By combining our industry-leading solutions with Diversified's integration expertise, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value and innovation to our clients." 

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2023]

Key Highlights of the Partnership: 

• Enhanced Product Integration and Solutions Delivery: Grass Valley's technology, including traditional hardware/software applications creating media workflows that run on-premises, in the cloud or in hybrid environments, will be seamlessly integrated with Diversified's robust solutions and services, providing customers with state-of-the-art, end-to-end solutions for content creation, management and distribution. 
• Expanded Global Reach: By combining forces, Grass Valley and Diversified will extend their global footprints, offering clients around the world access to advanced media technologies and expert support. 
• Innovative Joint Ventures: The partnership will foster joint innovation, allowing the companies to co-develop new technologies and services that address emerging trends and challenges in the media and entertainment industry. 
• Comprehensive Customer Support: Clients will benefit from enhanced support and service capabilities with Diversified's extensive field services complementing Grass Valley's technical expertise, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of deployed solutions. 
• Training and Development Programs: Through the collaboration, the companies will also develop comprehensive training programs to empower media professionals with the knowledge and skills required to maximize the potential of the integrated solutions offered by Grass Valley and Diversified. 

[The Evolution of Virtualized Production]

"We are excited to partner with Grass Valley," said Steve Stubelt, SVP of sales, media, and entertainment at Diversified. "Together, we will broaden our reach and enhance our ability to deliver cutting-edge, integrated solutions that meet the complex needs of our clients in the media and entertainment industry." 

TD SYNNEX has expanded its strategic partnership with Airtame beyond Europe to also cover North America, providing more integrators and end users with access to collaboration solutions.

[TD SYNNEX Sandi Stambaugh on Meeting Equity]

Effective immediately, TD SYNNEX’s distribution network will deliver Airtame's unified collaboration portfolio to a broader audience throughout North America. TD SYNNEX customers will have immediate access to Airtame’s full suite of user-friendly collaboration solutions, which offer professionals and end users smoother solution implementation, less downtime, and better maintenance.

“TD SYNNEX is committed to uniting technology solutions that deliver business outcomes today and unlock growth for the future,” said Sandi Stambaugh, senior vice president product management at TD SYNNEX. “With Airtame’s solutions added to our North American offerings, we can help more businesses  realize the benefits of improved collaboration, engagement, and productivity.”

[TD SYNNEX Jessica McDowell on Security]

With the addition of Airtame to its U.S. portfolio, TD SYNNEX further solidifies its role as a one-stop shop for certified peripheral partners. Brands such as Logitech, AVer, Jabra, Sennheiser, EPOS, and OWL—all of which are distributed by TD SYNNEX—seamlessly integrate into Airtame's ecosystem, making it easier than ever for North American customers to access a full ecosystem of collaboration solutions.

Mackie recently announced that its DLZ Creator, a professional digital audio solution for content creators, is the first product in the Mackie line to integrate NDI technology. The NDI protocol has also been embraced by radio and broadcast professionals, streamers, online gamers, live streamers, and podcast professionals.

[Can NDI Become Ubiquitous?] 

“DLZ Creator is the first-ever audio device integrated with NDI connectivity technology, empowering content producers with more flexibility over their audio streaming than ever,” explained NDI president Tarif Sayed.

With a growing user base of streamers, gamers, and content creators, the DLZ Creator aims to enhances the way content is made and shared. The integration of NDI, enabling fast and easy real-time movement of audio and video between computers, cameras, and other digital devices, will empower users with professional-level connectivity that will transform their workflow. 

[PlexusAV AVN Series Integrates NDI Video-Over-IP Standard]

DLZ Creator will provide NDI implementation for bi-directional stereo audio immediately, with multichannel support to be added later in the year.

MAXHUB and TD SYNNEX have reached an agreement for distribution of MAXHUB products throughout North America. The new agreement specifies that TD SYNNEX will carry MAXHUB’s various product offerings tailored to online meetings and collaboration and distribute them to AV dealers and system integrators throughout North America. MAXHUB selected TD SYNNEX for this important partnership due to their global presence and expertise within the Pro AV market. TD SYNNEX will help to accelerate channel partner recruitment for MAXHUB products.

[MAXHUB's Tony McCool Explains How to Invest Your Way to Productivity]

“We are delighted to be working with the TD SYNNEX team to increase MAXHUB’s presence throughout North America. Adding TD SYNNEX to the MAXHUB list of approved distributors increases our reach into the Pro AV marketplace and provides depth in resources such as warehouse logistics, credit lines, and product support from knowledgeable salespeople," said Sam Malik, vice president of sales and marketing for MAXHUB’s North American operations. "Their understanding of both the market and the types of products we sell make TD SYNNEX an ideal match to represent our various product lines.”

[TD SYNNEX Sandi Stambaugh on Meeting Equity]

"TD SYNNEX is committed to uniting IT solutions that deliver business outcomes today and unlock growth for the future," said Sandi Stambaugh, senior vice president, product management. "With MAXHUB added to our vast portfolio of visual solutions vendors, we're able to further enrich the breadth and depth of our AV offerings to give our partners the resources they need to deliver successful meetings and next-level productivity."

ConsorcioTec and AV-iQ portal will launch a marketing partnership during the 2024 CEDIA & CIX Expos in Denver. The program will allow ConsorcioTec members to be listed in the directory of AV-iQ database of systems integrators as a tool for locating qualified low-voltage dealers and contractors in the Caribbean and Latin America, including Brazil.

"We are always looking to create more value for our members in ConsorcioTec," said Victor Alarcón, project manager of ConsorcioTec. "In addition to our preferred vendor rebate and incentive programs, we want to generate new business opportunities. The AV-iQ platform gives our members added visibility both in North America and beyond."

[Pro AV Newsmakers: Biamp Acquires Evoko]

Launched in 2021, ConsorcioTec counts on the support of U.S.-based integrator groups, PSA Security, and EDGE (formerly known as USAV) for group buyer best practices and acts as a bridge for international growth in Latin America. Additionally with the inclusion of the APAC buyers group TSI HUB managed by Andy Tan out of Singapore, the different groups comprise the International Partners Program (IPP) permitting international coverage.

[Pro AV Newsmakers: A Convergint Acquisition and New Partners for PPDS, MAXHUB]

“We’ve long believed that AV-iQ can and should be a global resource, and not just a platform that serves only North America. As a great first step, we’ve partnered with ConsorcioTec to list all their members in our Find a Dealer/Integrator locator functionality,” said Mark Loftus, AV-iQ director. “Adding these listings for our users from the Caribbean and Latin America brings us closer to having a resource that serves visitors from these regions by helping them find local providers for the products and solutions they need.”

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Xilica Joins HETMA as Gold Partner

Xilica has become a Gold Partner of HETMA, the non-profit advocacy organization for higher education end users in the AV industry. 

HETMA, an acronym for Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance, raises awareness of technology issues unique to the higher education community. HETMA achieves this goal by working with manufacturers such as Xilica, as well as higher education administrators, to address the challenges that technology managers face.

[HETMA Joins the AV/IT Summit as Event Partner]

As a Gold Partner, HETMA will recognize Xilica as an accelerator of technology development and adoption within the higher education vertical through several initiatives. Xilica will support independent, peer-reviewed product decisions through the HETMA Approved Program, which enables institutions to rapidly adopt new technologies that have already passed through education-specific evaluations. Xilica will also contribute subject matter experts to in-person and virtual HETMA conferences and events, and be an advocate for special HETMA initiatives. The latter includes the Prism Scholarship, which is dedicated to representing diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education.

[Xilica, Lumens Partner to Integrate Automated Voice-Based Camera Tracking]

“Xilica has placed a strong emphasis on developing partnerships and technologies that better serve modern learning spaces and higher education institutions, such as bringing hybrid learning solutions to market that enable collaborative equality for all students,” said Shaun Robinson, vice president product, Xilica. “We are proud to associate ourselves with an organization such as HETMA whose pure focus is to empower the higher education community through an abundance of free resources, networking opportunities and great relationships.”

Lightware Appoints Sven Pelters in Key Role

Lightware Visual Engineering appointed Sven Pelters in the critical role of global training manager.

Working from his native Germany, Pelters’ first task is to manage the opening of a training Center in the country that will provide training in key strategic areas for the company including equipment demos, operation, and processes. Once successfully up and running, Pelters will then oversee the opening of further training centers around the world as Lightware continues to expand its global business.

[Sennheiser, Lightware Partner to Boost Meeting Room Experiences]

Pelters brings over 15 years of experience at Kramer Germany GmbH, most recently as EMEA training manager for the entire EMEA region, following several years working as head of technical support, where he led the German support team and the European Repair Center.

As well as establishing the new training center at Lightware, Pelters will oversee the operation and development of Lightware’s team of trainers in the company’s expanding network of offices all around the world. He will also leverage his extensive experience to fulfill the role of Lightware’s main trainer in Germany.

Focusrite Appoints New Senior Vice President

Laura Camacho has been appointed senior vice president for Focusrite Group US to manage the commercial activities across the Americas for the Focusrite Group’s Content Creation brands of Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Novation, ADAM Audio, Sequential, Oberheim, Sonnox, and Ampify.

[Here's How Focusrite Enabled Immersive Audio Production]

Camacho brings a wealth of channel experience from her leadership roles at Adorama and previously Guitar Center. Camacho also obtained her MBA from Californian Lutheran University. Camacho will be reporting directly to the Focusrite Group chief revenue officer, Damian Hawley, and will manage all Focusrite Group routes to market across the Americas.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join such an incredibly talented team and represent an industry-leading portfolio of brands at Focusrite Group," Camacho commented. "I have long admired their commitment to innovation and am thrilled to lead the continued expansion and excellence across the Americas.”

Bobby Allen Joins OSA International as Executive Vice President of Entertainment

OSA International is expanding its executive team with the appointment of industry veteran Bobby Allen as vice president of entertainment.

Allen brings an incredible breadth of professional experience and knowledge to his new role in growing OSA’s touring division. A longstanding member of New York’s IATSE Local One Stagehands, he began his illustrious career more than 30 years ago as a rigger and carpenter, ultimately working in every aspect of the event and live entertainment worlds. Today he is a recognized leader in the live event, experiential marketing, and touring industries. His impressive resume includes working on hit Broadway shows such as The Lion King and The Phantom of The Opera as well as touring with world-renowned acts such as Andrea Bocelli, Britney Spears, Usher, and Jay Z.

“The live entertainment and event business has changed so much over the years, but the one constant will always be delivering a great show,” said Allen. “Every change throughout my career has brought new challenges and I’m looking forward to working with the OSA team on expanding its already impressive portfolio of shows, as well as identifying new opportunities to meet audiences’ ever evolving expectations.”

Riedel Expands Canadian Coverage 

Riedel Communications appointed Peter Tsegaye to the role of regional sales manager to accommodate the company’s continued growth in Canada. Tsegaye is a seasoned broadcast and media entertainment professional with over 15 years of experience. Tsegaye will report to Dave Caulwell, regional sales director, East, North America, and operate out of Toronto.

Tsegaye got his start at an industry icon, Harris Broadcast, which later became Imagine Communications, where he worked in various roles, from customer service representative to product support specialist. Most recently, he served as technical sales and solutions manager at ES Broadcast, where he was responsible for expanding the company’s solutions architecture footprint within North America. His experience with focusing strategically on expanding systems and integrating pre- and post-sales activities will become essential to Riedel’s ongoing growth in Canada.

“Riedel is an innovative and creative company, and I am excited to be a part of its continued growth and success,” said Tsegaye. “I have been watching this company grow for many years, noticing how they consistently go above and beyond in both innovation and customer commitment. I am very excited about being part of this incredible team and look forward to contributing to the company’s success.”

Xilica has partnered with Lumens Digital Optics to deliver greater AV automation in hybrid collaboration spaces. The partnership integrates Lumens’ high-quality Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera functionality into Xilica’s Cat5-based audio room systems, resulting in an out-of-the-box, fully integrated video and audio solution with automated voice-based camera tracking capability and no upfront programming or licensing. The joint solution is available through mutual distribution partners in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

[4 Ways AI Can Help Pro AV Sustain Profitable Growth] 

Xilica’s automated camera-tracking technology utilizes data feeds from a range of beamforming ceiling microphone arrays to accurately steer IP-controllable PTZ cameras to specific positions around a collaboration space. With integrated control engines, capable of Lua scripting for almost any IP-controllable product, Xilica’s digital signal processors have become a popular choice for simplifying system operation in collaboration environments. By activating a new partnership with Lumens, Xilica can offer its customers a wider choice of vendor for camera products and expand the range of rooms that can be covered with this technology more deeply into higher education, government and judicial, and corporate markets.  

“Configuration of Xilica’s automated camera tracking technology has always been intuitive, but this new integration with Lumens significantly simplifies the configuration process for our customers,” said Steven Liang, vice president product development, Lumens. “Lumens functionality and control is natively integrated into Xilica software for an easy, turnkey experience for customers, leveraging pre-designed templates and pre-built user interface options for an immediate deployment. With just a few clicks, Lumens and Xilica customers can obtain a sophisticated, easy-to-deploy automated solution for voice-based camera tracking without code and a high learning-curve.”

[AI in the Hybrid Workplace]

“We are bringing sound and video together over the network in a way that drives interaction and connection between presenter and audience, no matter the scale of the system or room configuration,” said Shaun Robinson, vice president product, Xilica. “This solution ultimately eliminates the need for users to directly control cameras during a conference or classroom session in any collaborative environment, while giving them the freedom to fully-utilize their space and communicate in a way that is natural for them.”

Differentiation was one of the big buzz words at InfoComm 2023. Philips successfully stood out from its digital display competition by focusing on key channel partnerships with third-party OEM and software developers as well as sustainability. These initiatives, outlined at InfoComm 2023 by Nick Begleries, PPDS commercial vice president for North America, are part of PPDS’ ambitious plan to accelerate growth and expansion in North America. 

“We offer the advantages of being a display manufacturer with a recognizable name of a big brand, but like a smaller company are nimble and easy to work with,” Begleries explained. Marking the anniversary of PPDS becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of TPV, PPDS brought to InfoComm several stand-out products, all designed with one overarching goal in mind: enabling commercial integrators to elevate their efficiency and success.

Ongoing partnership building with software developers, manufacturers of mounting equipment, and other OEMs are paving the way for simpler, easier deployments of large-format displays. “We want to deliver a full solution, not just the display,” Begleries said. 

The company’s new Wave cloud-based remote display management platform is a prime example. Begleries explained that as an open API solution, Wave enables seamless integration of third-party software so integrators can easily populate a wide variety of custom content across an entire fleet of displays. Plus, integrators can use Wave to remotely diagnose and troubleshoot multiple displays from one convenient interface.

To demonstrate PPDS’ diversification initiative, Begleries introduced the PPDS eco-friendly powerless display, Philips Tableaux. “Philips Tableaux gives systems integrators a completely new type of digital signage and markets to explore," he said. "It utilizes e-Paper technology on a 25-inch display.” 

Begleries envisions applications including colored menu boards and paper-free point-of-sale posters. The fact that Tableaux operates unplugged and without batteries makes it all the more appealing to integrators looking to differentiate or expand their businesses into new vertical markets.

During an exclusive interview with SCN, Begleries explores exciting new initiatives and product development driving the company’s growing influence in North America. A powerless, sustainable e-Paper display and a remote management system for displays lead off the PPDS’ business strategy.

For more information about PPDS and how it’s helping systems integrators grow and differentiate their businesses, please visit PPDS.com.

Lightware Visual Engineering has announced a partnership with Sennheiser to deliver an innovative AV solution that caters to the dynamic nature of modern meetings. 

The partnership is part of Lightware’s ongoing expansion in the meeting and conferencing markets, focusing on delivering innovative solutions designed for hybrid working environments.

[Sennheiser Announces TeamConnect All-in-one Conferencing Bar Solutions]

Lightware and Sennheiser are joining forces to develop a highly efficient and immersive audiovisual solution, which will feature Sennheiser’s ceiling microphones, such as the TCC2, which are equipped with technology to capture high-quality voice and beamforming technology that provides information about the direction of the sound source. When integrated with Lightware’s Taurus UCX, which employs Lightware Advanced Room Automation (LARA), this powerful integrated solution will process the information from the Sennheiser Ceiling microphone and control a PTZ camera to visually track the voice source.

The technology will ensure that remote meeting participants can clearly see and hear who is speaking at any given moment. It will also feature built-in intelligence to detect multiple speakers and adapt camera focus accordingly. In instances of silence, it also provides a comprehensive view of the room—a capability essential for holding successful meetings in medium to large meeting rooms where participants also attend remotely.

[A Meeting Equity Progress Report] 

As a result, remote participants in meetings held in rooms designed for eight or more people will enjoy a more personal and engaging experience, as they can clearly see and hear on-site colleagues. In addition, organizations seeking to standardize this solution globally can rely on the cooperation between Lightware and Sennheiser, while AV professionals, including integrators and consultants, can implement a cutting-edge technology solution.

“This is an exciting partnership with a huge degree of potential,” commented Gergely Vida, chief operating officer for Lightware Visual Engineering. “When joint Lightwave and Sennheiser solutions come to market, remote meeting participants will be able to hold much more effective one-to-one discussions with both individuals and groups within the live meeting location room. This represents an important set of capabilities in the hybrid working era.”

“Sennheiser is excited to partner with Lightware to support TeamConnect Ceiling Microphones on the Taurus platform. Our customers want meeting room solutions that are easy to use without sacrificing audio quality," said Charlie Jones, global alliance and partnership manager at Sennheiser. "The Lightware solution delivers on all accounts."

Humly has entered into a new partnership with DEKOM to strengthen Humly’s presence in Europe and North America.

DEKOM, a global AV and IT integrator, identifies Humly as one of its Premium Product Partners. The Humly Workplace Solutions product suite, including the Humly Room Display launched in 2020, is available and proven to work in any combination based on business needs. The seamless interoperability of all Humly Workplace Solutions also eliminates integration chaos and security concerns. At the same time, custom hardware, flexible API, and cloud hosting ensure freedom and interoperability with a customer's broader technology ecosystem.

 [SCN Hybrid World: How to Make Room Scheduling Easy]

Humly has more than a decade of experience in innovation for modernizing business environments, most recently introducing its Humly Booking Device hardware solution at ISE 2023 in February. Continuing several years of success and market growth in Europe, Asia, and North America, DEKOM will play a key role in supporting Humly customers and providing them with the most ideal solutions for each customer’s workplace environment. 

Humly has recently launched an aggressive growth strategy in North America, reinforced through the company’s first InfoComm exhibition in Orlando last month. 

"As we expand internationally, especially in North America, DEKOM will be an important partner for us," said Humly sales director Daniel Assarson. "When we started establishing this partnership, it felt like we could expand our brand visibility together and steadily increase market share for our product suite. DEKOM has over 30 years of experience in the business and is present in over 150 countries. We know they will make Humly a Premium Product Partner with their depth and experience."  

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022] 

The broader Humly Workplace Solutions portfolio (Humly Room Display, Humly Wayfinding, Humly Reservations, Humly Visitor, Humly Floor Plan) encapsulates a comprehensive suite of workplace products to book, manage and optimize office spaces for businesses of all sizes. DEKOM will represent the entire existing product line focusing on Humly's cloud-based solutions portfolio. 

Utelogy Corporation has expanded its Utelligence Program for AV and UC Device Standardization with a collaborative partnership with Catchbox. The creator of advanced audio systems, Catchbox sees Utelogy now supporting the Catchbox Plus Pro product family.

The Catchbox Plus Pro product family promotes seamless integration of Catchbox Cube (throwable) and Clip (wearable lavalier) microphones into pre-existing systems such as VC codecs (via USB and Dante) and auditorium audio systems. As a result of this tight-knit partnership between Utelogy and Catchbox, the first third-party integrations that leverage the new API for the Plus Pro product family have been implemented. The Utelogy driver employs all available Catchbox Hub receiver functions including comprehensive monitoring and control of Catchbox Hub audio inputs and outputs, as well as the settings of Catchbox Clip and Catchbox Cube microphones.

[The ABCs of APIs: A Primer to All Things API] 

This partnership ensures an effortless integration of the Catchbox Plus Pro family with the Utelogy Platform, offering proactive alerts and monitoring for a superior user experience. Users can expect comprehensive system insight and management.

"We're excited to be the pioneering third-party service to partner with such an innovative audio systems provider," said Nicole Corbin, vice president of business Operation at UtelogyThe Utelligence standard, with its secure and potent APIs, facilitates seamless integration and has emerged as a formidable force in our sector. It empowers us to forge partnerships that are truly customer centric."

Through ongoing collaborations and partnerships with significant manufacturers such as Catchbox, the Utelogy Platform consistently expands its capabilities and enhances its features. This joint endeavor results in a holistic management and monitoring solution that offers an outstanding user experience while minimizing the total cost of ownership.

[Running from Fears in Pro AV] 

“Integration with Utelogy empowers our customers who are looking for a streamlined control and monitoring tool that works out of the box," said Toms Cirvelis, vice president of product at Catchbox Modern audiovisual infrastructure is expected to work seamlessly, yet vendors' push for their own control and monitoring tools can create another layer of complexity. Integration with Utelogy, which places customer experience in the front, excites us and would hopefully help our customers achieve their goals faster.“

This partnership underlines Utelogy's sustained commitment to innovation and delivering unrivaled value to its customers. The integration of Catchbox Plus Pro products into the Utelogy Platform marks a substantial stride towards offering a comprehensive solution for enterprise device standardization.

Xyte have welcomed Legrand, Symetrix, and WyreStorm to the Connected Device Platform (CDP). These new customers join Valens, Avocor, AVProEdge, Rebar, Alice Camera, ProAV, and others who have partnered with Xyte to create an enhanced AV ecosystem that includes both leading hardware manufacturers and service providers. Together with additional device manufacturers in various industries that are currently developing for the Xyte platform and are planned to launch later this year, the new partnerships cement Xyte’s position as the leading solution for organizations looking to cloudify their devices and manage their enterprise technology through a single pane of glass.

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022] 

“Using Xyte’s CDP, hardware manufacturers and their channel partners can connect and collaborate throughout the entire value chain in a unified cloud environment, providing their end users with remote monitoring and support, enabling preventative maintenance, and unlocking the possibility of new subscription-based business models,” explained Xyte CEO Omer Brookstein. “We’re excited to partner with these great new brands and integrators that will use their new cloud platforms to provide better service to their end users and become a valued part of Xyte’s enterprise tech ecosystem.”

Using Xyte’s integrated Support Center, system integrators and managed service providers can also actively participate in the Xyte ecosystem, leveraging the platform to offer remote professional and managed services and to provide Solution-as-a-Service offerings to IT managers.

[The Nine 2022: Omer Brookstein]

“Through its easily implemented CDP, Xyte truly unlocks new business opportunities for Legrand, allowing us to finally provide our customers and channels with the cloud-based functionality they have been asking for. We are extremely excited about this partnership and the opportunities it opens up for us,” said Shane Roma, product manager at Legrand. 

d&b audiotechnik and Solid State Logic (SSL) entered a technology integration partnership to integrate the d&b Soundscape immersive sound system into the SSL Live console's ecosystem, enabling a dedicated Soundscape-control within the console’s user interface and workflow. The integration will allow users to remotely control d&b Soundscape object parameters on the d&b DS100 Signal Engine running En-Scene and En-Space software modules directly from the console surface

The Soundscape Control is designed to be compatible with all SSL live consoles that are running the newly announced SSL Live version 5.2 software, ensuring users can benefit from these features across the entire range of SSL Live consoles. 

[SCN Hall of Fame 2023: Ralf Zuleeg, Innovator of Soundscape]

The technology integration provides users with a high degree of flexibility in assigning console channels to Soundscape / DS100 inputs, as well as coordinate mapping across all four mapping areas.

“This collaboration between SSL and d&b audiotechnik puts the immensely powerful possibilities of spatial audio into the hands of even more audio creatives," said Al McKinna, vice president of d&b's immersive business unit. "SSL users will benefit from an intuitive workflow on an outstanding live sound console to harness the innovative power of d&b Soundscape. Workflow optimizations such as this result in live sound professionals having more time to create unforgettable moments for the audience.” 

[Why Emerson College Turned to Solid State Logic in Broadcast Audio Upgrade]

SSL’s V5.2 software also delivers greatly enhanced ‘Rehearsal and Recorder’ functionality, including multiple switching groups, flexible routing and locking override functions. Eight freely assignable switching groups can be used to manage multiple groups of instruments or even different acts within the same showfile. As a result, rehearsals can become very dynamic with fast comparisons.

“The latest V5.2 software update enhances the capabilities of the SSL Live production platform in key areas," commented Tom Knowles, director of product management, Solid State Logic. "As tours, events and houses of worship enhance their audiences experience with next-gen immersive loudspeaker systems, it’s important for Solid State Logic to support partners which have an established presence and technology in the space. We’re delighted to integrate control of d&b’s ‘Soundscape’ system to further enhance SSL Live consoles operator experience.”

Intracom Systems has appointed VidOvation as an authorized integrator of its VCOM IP Matrix Intercom software and hardware products. 

[How VidOvation, Haivision Address Demand for REMI, At-Home Production Capabilities]

As an authorized integrator, VidOvation will service and support Intracom’s VCOM IP matrix intercom software and hardware products to its extensive customer base. VCOM is an always-on, multi-channel, multi-access matrix communications platform that can be provisioned in the cloud or on-premises for professional and mission critical applications. VCOM is highly scalable to thousands of users and supports virtually an unlimited number of channels and conferences. The feature-rich, IP-based system incorporates an abundance of practical functionalities that have been developed over Intracom’s 17 years of providing IP solutions. VCOM systems are found across the globe in world renowned facilities that depend on crisp, reliable communications to operate.

This partnership is expected to benefit customers throughout a wide range of industries. The collaboration brings VidOvation's expertise and deep roots in all segments of broadcast, pro AV, financial, commercial and government markets to Intracom’s expanding customer base -strengthening Intracom’s growth trajectory and expanding its footprint in the numerous markets it currently serves. 

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022] 

“VidOvation has an outstanding reputation as a technical solution provider with expertise in live television production, broadcasting, distribution, and streaming systems,” said Stephen Brand, CEO, Intracom Systems. “We are excited to work with the VidOvation team and bring the ultimate in reliable, scalable and cost-effective mission critical communications solutions to their wide-ranging customer base.”

Advanced Systems Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Zero Density. ASG will now carry Zero Density’s line of real-time virtual studio, augmented reality, and graphics technology designed for broadcast, esports, and live events.

The partnership expands ASG’s systems integration portfolio with options from Zero Density’s extensive series of high-end, real-time virtual studio, AR/XR and broadcast on-air graphics solutions. “They have an exceptional technology that we can deploy at our clients’ sites to yield what we believe is some of the highest quality XR-based production,” explained Dave Van Hoy, president of ASG. “We’re also very impressed with their customer track record. They're highly recommended by their existing client base. These are things that we evaluate carefully as we decide who to partner with.”

[Cloud Power: The Importance of Interoperability, Part 1 | Part 2] 

Zero Density is best known for Reality Engine - a real-time node-based compositing system that enables creative teams to stand out from the competition with next-generation Unreal Engine graphics. Reality Engine provides video I/O, keying, tracking, compositing, and rendering in one machine, making it easy to create photoreal 3D environments, AR graphics, XR productions and more—in real time. 

Other company highlights are Zero Density’s tracking brand Traxis with its AI-powered talent tracker and camera tracker. Built for both LED sets and green screen cycloramas, these tracking solutions let broadcasters spend less time worrying about photorealism, giving more space to focus on creativity. Zero Density recently announced a major update to Traxis and a new software bundle that will make photorealistic graphics accessible to all broadcasters.

[We Went for an Off-Road Adventure with Vú at InfoComm 2023... and It Was Awesome]

“They have a unique methodology for real-time rendering video wall backgrounds that when combined with their method of using camera tracking data makes a production much more photorealistic in real-time,” Van Hoy added. “They’re taking photorealistic XR to a new level. We believe it’s the highest quality available today.”

Unified communications and video collaboration monitoring solutions company, VisibilityOne recently announced a strategic partnership with global technology company, Stefanini Group. The partnership focuses on delivering cutting-edge monitoring and management services for video collaboration, and fortifying communication infrastructure for businesses worldwide.

VisibilityOne’s cloud-based monitoring solutions feature proactive alerting, and advanced algorithms while being vendor-agnostic. These capabilities empower IT teams with crucial insights into devices and applications, allowing businesses to preemptively tackle issues to ensure uninterrupted communication. In collaboration with Stefanini, VisibilityOne will extend its state-of-the-art video collaboration services to a wider audience. The alliance aims to address the soaring demand for reliable and efficient video conferencing solutions, a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"VisibilityOne’s mission has always been centered around perfecting collaboration experiences," said Jose De La Paz, CEO of VisibilityOne. “Partnering with Stefanini, a company with an extensive global reach and a shared commitment to innovation, enables us to impact more businesses around the world. Through this partnership, we are positioned to revolutionize the way professionals engage in video collaboration, optimizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”

“VisibilityOne is a true pioneer in video collaboration service management, and we’re thrilled to launch a new service offering to our clients through this joint effort,” said Shayne Quaas, director of Innovation & Digital Business at Stefanini. “Innovation is a core part of our identity at Stefanini and this joint venture allows us to expand our existing services as well as form new relationships rooted in digital transformation and co-creation.”

Check out VisibilityOne for a deeper dive into its cutting-edge video collaboration solutions.

Professional Audio Design is now an official Dolby Service Partner. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for PAD, as it expands its capabilities to offer enhanced audio solutions to its esteemed customers.

[The Dolby Atmos Training Space Turns to PMC Monitors]

As a Dolby Service Partner, PAD gains access to Dolby's cutting-edge technologies and expertise, enabling the company to deliver unparalleled audio experiences across various industries and applications. With Dolby's audio technologies, PAD can continue to provide its customers with superior sound quality, immersive audio experiences, and enhanced content creation capabilities.

"We are delighted to become a Dolby Service Partner," said Dave Malekpour, president of Professional Audio Design. "This partnership opens up exciting new opportunities for our company to deliver exceptional audio solutions to our clients. Dolby is globally recognized for its innovation in audio technologies, and we are thrilled to collaborate with them to provide our customers with immersive and captivating audio experiences.”

[Watch SPACE by CODA Melt Your Face Off at InfoComm 2023]

As a Dolby Service Partner, PAD will offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. These services include:

• Dolby Atmos Integration: It will provide seamless integration of Dolby Atmos technology into existing or new audio systems, allowing customers to experience immersive, three-dimensional sound.
• Calibration and Optimization: PAD's certified experts will calibrate and optimize audio systems to deliver the best possible sound reproduction, creating an optimal audio environment for customers.
• Training and Support: the Company will offer comprehensive training programs and ongoing technical support to help clients maximize the potential of Dolby's technologies and solutions.

ACT Entertainment will begin offering lighting controllers from Amsterdam-based manufacturer Visual Productions to customers in the United States. This includes the brand’s latest solution, RdmRelay, as well as its CueCore3 and TimeCore products, which will all be presented at the ACT Entertainment booth at InfoComm 2023 (Booth 3643). 

“The rationale for joining forces with ACT Entertainment is really a story of synergy: on the one hand, Visual Productions is expanding its distribution network with the ACT organization, which consists of several U.S. offices and a very strong technical support team,” Maarten Engels, managing director of Visual Productions, said of the collaboration. “We are, of course, delighted that ACT’s platform will make our products much more visible in the U.S. market. On the other hand, by bringing Visual Productions on board, ACT Entertainment strengthens its position in the systems integration market and can now offer high-end lighting control solutions across the board, both for entertainment and fixed installations.”

[Follow the ROAD TO INFOCOMM 2023 at AV Network] 

The latest Visual Productions innovation is the RdmRelay, a DIN rail-mounted device with four heavy-duty relays that are 16A/250V AC resistive. Controllable via RDM and DMX512-A, the RdmRelay can be set via an RDM commissioning tool. It can also switch 110V/230V equipment with up to 16 Amps per relay, ideal for controlling non-DMX equipment or switching off a lighting installation. Powered with 9-24V DC 5W (PSU optional), the EN55103-1/EN55103-2-compliant RdmRelay can operate in -4 degrees F to 122 degrees F (-20-50 degrees C) temperatures with humidity ranging from 10-80 percent.   

ACT Entertainment will also showcase the Visual Productions CueCore3, a DMX lighting controller for fixed installations that boasts 2,048 channels. A completely solid-state device, the CueCore3 is a secure, low maintenance control solution. The on-board flash-drive memory allows for storing DMX shows, while programming is done through the CueluxPro lighting control software or dynamic web interface. Additionally, playback can be fully automated and triggered by various IP-based protocols ― such as DPI, MIDI or an internal scheduler. Featuring SMPTE timecode and a real-time clock with battery, the CueCore3 can be powered over ethernet or with 9-24V DC 500mA. The CueCore3 can be set on a desktop, on a DIN rail or as a 19-inch rack-mounted device using an optional adapter. 

[InfoComm 2023: 'No Stopping Us Now']

Finally, the Visual Productions TimeCore is a one-stop toolbox for timecode. It is a simple and reliable device for generating, following and converting various timecode protocols ― for everything from SMPTE and MTC to Art-Net. Capable of sending and receiving popular show control protocols, TimeCore can synchronize all AV elements of a show, such as sound, lighting, video, animatronics and pyrotechnics. Additionally, the built-in event system can be set on a timeline that enables users to send triggers to non-timecode-capable devices. The TimeCore can be controlled via web interface and all programming data is saved in a solid-state flash drive memory device. With a large seven-segment display, user-definable controls and mounting options that include desktop and DIN rail, TimeCore is also easy to operate. 

“The more we got to know the Visual Productions team and their products, the more obvious it became that we had to find a way to bring their unique brand to our customers,” said Ryan Hindinger, market manager: concert touring and live experiences, ACT Entertainment. “Visual Productions’ products perfectly align with and match the quality of our other entertainment technologies―a high bar in itself.  Even more impressive, they have crafted a very straightforward set of products for applications in nearly every entertainment technology market sector.”

The PPDS ‘Global Partner Alliance’ network is expanding quite rapidly, delivering regional support and international expertise for customers in North America, and across six continents. 

Officially launched at ISE 2022, the PPDS Global Partner Alliance (GPA) program was created to connect multinational businesses with PPDS top tier of regional integration specialists, for seamless execution of projects, of any scale, anywhere in the world.

[Pro AV Newsmakers: AtlasIED Has New Strategic Collaboration and More]

Announced to members during the third global meeting for the PPDS GPA, hosted in Barcelona, Spain, the Alliance has grown by more than 50 additional partners—almost doubling numbers from 60 to 118 and now covering China and India—delivering enhanced specialist knowledge and support across a range of industries, including hospitality, retail, education and corporate. 

Each Alliance partner is selected based upon their capabilities, certifications, and ongoing relationship with PPDS. All GPA partners are trained and certified to deliver the best knowledge and performance across PPDS’ portfolio of products, services, and solutions.

Bringing a synchronized approach to customer service that spans from presales specification through to post-sales support, PPDS’ multinational customers are supported by the dedicated team of International Key Account Directors. Teams deliver on a single point of contact for projects in Europe, Middle East, South Africa, North America, Asia Pacific, including China and India, and Oceania, as well as the GPA, mobilized to provide unrivalled simplicity and consistency, and precise planning and project roll outs worldwide.

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance] 

“At PPDS, we strive for excellence in everything we do, from the products we are making in our factories through to the support we offer for installation and beyond," commented Franck Racape, vice president global commercial at PPDS. "A significant and crucial part of that process is unquestionably our relationships with our partners. The GPA, together with our International Key Account Management approach, have allowed us to develop even closer relationships with the channel, aligning to bring ever greater value to our mutual customers. 

“Since launch, the GPA has advanced from being a list of valued partners to a true global community. Far from being competitors, many of our GPA partners are now in regular communication, supporting each other where needed and, as clearly demonstrated at our GPA dinner in Barcelona and at other exclusive GPA events, they have become close business allies in the process. On behalf of PPDS, I welcome all our new GPA members and thank everyone for their continued devotion. Here’s to expanding into another successful year.”

MantelMount entered a new distribution agreement with ADI Global Distribution. ADI customers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico now have access to MantelMount’s full product line of manual and automated mounting solutions, including the motorized drop-down and swivel mount, the “smart home ready” MM860.  Additionally, ADI will carry the extensive MantelMount line of accessories, including recess boxes, soundbar adapters, surface install kits, and more.

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance] 

MantelMount provides a patented solution for any television to be mounted high on a wall, such as above a fireplace. While the company has significantly expanded its residential market share in recent years, MantelMount has also gained strong footholds in commercial sectors such as education, healthcare, assisted living, and government.  

“ADI has gained an excellent industry reputation for quick, efficient, and cost-conscious distribution,” said Michael Smith, vice president of wholesale operations of MantelMount. “By adding MantelMount to its growing list of CE and smart home suppliers, ADI can provide its dealer base with access to the versatile television mounts, creating new revenue streams for dealers.”

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022] 

Customers can now order MantelMount manual and automated mounts and accessories at ADI’s 100-plus branches across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, online through the Digital Branch or by using the ADI App.

Q-SYS and Lenovo are collaborating to provide a seamless way to purchase and deploy high-impact spaces by bundling Lenovo room compute solutions with Q-SYS audio, video and control. This will be available through Q-SYS channels and partners to better serve the needs of the UC market.

[Christopher Jaynes Joins Q-SYS as Senior Vice President of Software Technologies]

“Lenovo is an ideal partner for Q-SYS as they deliver an advanced compute solution for the major UC vendors,” says Jason Moss, vice president, corporate development and alliances, Q-SYS. “Working together, we can expand the reach of both Q-SYS and Lenovo and bring our solutions to even more customers looking to deploy high-impact spaces for their employees."

“Integrating Q-SYS innovative audio, video and control platform with Lenovo ThinkSmart’s intelligent computing provides customers with a complete offering,” says Shannon MacKay, general manager of worldwide smart collaboration business, Lenovo. “Now, more customers will be able to create more powerful workspaces and experiences for smarter collaboration.”

[A Meeting Equity Progress Report] 

“The high-impact space market is driving the collaboration space and we foresee the market rising to 11.3 million spaces by 2025 with the potential for nearly $140 billion in revenue,” concludes Rob Arnold, industry director, information and communications technology, Frost & Sullivan. “The vast opportunity makes this a very unique partnership to provide customers a top to bottom offering that makes it easier to adopt and deploy dynamic and scalable meeting spaces that deliver an elevated user experience.”

Mixhalo, the ultra-low latency networking technology that unlocks high-fidelity, augmented audio for fans at live events, announced the L-Acoustics comprehensive spatial audio ecosystem, the L-ISA 3.0, will now come pre-loaded with Mixhalo’s proprietary wireless networking technology as part of L-ISA 3.0 release.

Clients using L-ISA Processor II will now be able to leverage Mixhalo to deliver pristine, ultra-low-latency spatial audio directly to fans via their own phones and headphones. Because Mixhalo’s technology automatically and dynamically time-aligns with loudspeakers, it can complement a PA system perfectly, offering multiple mixes—such as a guitar mix in music, real-time play-by-play in sports, a foreign language interpretation at a conference, or L-ISA spatial audio over headphones—or even augmenting the audio in areas of a venue that are difficult to reach otherwise. 

[L-Acoustics Has Real Problems with Fake Products]

“I realized from the moment I first experienced Mixhalo that it had the potential to elevate and augment the listening experience at live events in a unique, transformative way,” said Laurent Vaissié, CEO of L-Acoustics. “Now, by pairing Mixhalo with the versatile and field-tested L-ISA Processor, we are taking those possibilities to new heights, giving partners options they never before had and supporting them as they embrace the future of live audio.”

The relationship with L-Acoustics also turbo-charges Mixhalo’s march toward scalability. By leveraging L-Acoustics’ global sales team and world-wide distribution network, Mixhalo’s reach will expand dramatically. Additionally, whereas Mixhalo has historically relied on on-site engineers to deploy and custom configure hardware, the partnership with L-Acoustics will allow Mixhalo to simplify the deployment of its technology and complete the transition to a pure SaaS model.  

L-Acoustics and Mixhalo first collaborated in 2019 on Aerosmith’s Deuces Are Wild residency in Las Vegas where the pair offered a live immersive audio experience which combined L-ISA immersive audio with a Mixhalo VIP onstage experience. In 2021, L-Acoustics became a major investor in and exclusive professional audio partner of Mixhalo. 

[Running from Fears in Pro AV] 

Additionally, Mixhalo’s foundational core technology that attracted L-Acoustics – and is now embedded in L-ISA 3.0 – has been granted another U.S. patent (US-11,625,213). Mixhalo now holds a total of five U.S. patents and four international patents.  

Diversified can now offer its clients a unified workplace communication and workplace management platform through Appspace. The Appspace platform combines solutions for space reservation, digital signage, an employee app, and a modern intranet.

Through a long-standing partnership, Diversified has offered Appspace workplace communication solutions, including digital signage, to its clients in various vertical markets, including banking, technology, and healthcare. The expanded relationship means Diversified can offer workplace management solutions to their clients—many of whom are investing in flexible workplace options for employees.

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022]

“For more than 10 years, we’ve witnessed first-hand the innovation Appspace brings to the workplace experience,” said Liz Davis, President of Workplace Solutions at Diversified. “This innovation is becoming increasingly more important as our clients look to enhance employee engagement, whether their employees are remote, hybrid, or frontline workers. Appspace enables us to better deliver on this important need through one single platform.”

According to many reports, some companies expect to reduce their IT spending in 2023 to brace for an uncertain economic climate. By consolidating workplace communication and workplace management into one platform from Appspace, Diversified can help clients reduce their technology spending by eliminating the need for multiple siloed products.

[AV and IT: It's Complicated]

Appspace also recently launched their app for Microsoft Teams, which allows organizations to embed the Appspace employee app functionality and other Appspace features into Microsoft Teams. The Appspace app for Microsoft Teams further helps organizations generate cost savings and productivity by reducing the number of solutions required for their workplace management and communication needs.

“Many Fortune 500 companies and other organizations are rationalizing their real estate footprints as they embrace more flexible work options," said Scott Chao, chief growth officer at Appspace. "At the same time, they need smarter technology to keep employees engaged and informed. Through this expanded partnership, Appspace will help Diversified offer their clients a simpler workplace experience platform to improve employee engagement and drive IT cost savings.”

ST Engineering Antycip and Cervus, a data company using its analytics-as-a-service (AaaS) platform to disrupt the traditional defense and security industries, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that signals a new era of collaboration between the two companies and a further integration of their complementary business models.

Cervus and ST Engineering Antycip (then known as Antycip Simulation) began working together collaboratively in 2016, explained Alan Roan, managing director of UK-based Cervus, with the MoU formalizing and elevating an already successful relationship. “We are both SMEs, and pooling resources creates efficiencies and increases our ability to reach into new customers,” Roan said, “while enabling us to bring new offerings into existing customers.”

[ST Engineering Antycip Upgrades VR CAVE for Academic Medical Research]

One of the highlights of the companies’ seven-year collaboration is the Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE), the British Army’s flagship innovation and experimentation programme, where in 2021 they cooperated to demonstrate the future of British Army training using Cervus’ Hive analytics platform plug in for market leading VR-Forces software from sister company and close partner MAK Technologies, recalled Katie Howe, senior accounts manager, aerospace and defence, at ST Engineering Antycip.

Key to the success of their relationship is that both companies are “small but growing, with an agile, ‘can-do’ attitude towards wider collaboration," said Howe.

“We are both small companies with huge ambition,” added Roan, who also highlights Cervus and ST Engineering Antycip’s cooperation on the US Marine Corps’ wargaming capability, when they demonstrated Hive and VR-Forces to MARSYSCOM (Marine Systems Command) and were selected for part two of the activity, and Forge for VR Forces for Project ELDON in support of the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office. “Both companies have a similar culture and relentless focus on the frontline operator.”

[AV Network's top stories, product news, and expert insights] 

By taking their relationship to the next level, ST Engineering Antycip and Cervus hope to be able to offer “more credible demo scenarios and vignettes for mutual opportunity pursuits”, explained Howe, as well as growing both companies’ market presence. Roan comments that the new alliance will be able to offer customers “a fuller simulation and analytics solution, enabling them to train and/or experiment faster and at lower cost.”

Yealink has joined the PSNI Global Alliance as a Global Preferred Vendor Partner (PVP). The PSNI Global Alliance Preferred Vendor Partner program is available to an exclusive group of manufacturers, distributors, and service providers in the Pro AV industry. The program connects vendors such as Yealink and PSNI’s Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to pursue market opportunities, and enable worldwide, standardized solutions to their customers. 

[PSNI Global Alliance Welcomes Crestron as Global Sponsor]

“We are delighted to welcome Yealink’s expertise to the PSNI Global Alliance,” added Tom Roberts, director of vendor programs for PSNI Global Alliance. “2023 is already proving be another year of exceptional growth for the Alliance and we are excited for the future. We look forward to a wealth of success alongside one of the world’s most prominent UCC providers.”

[AV Network's top stories, product news, and expert insights] 

All vendors within the PSNI PVP program are pre-screened by the Certified Solution Providers of The Alliance to ensure that only the best technology providers are represented. Customers who engage with The Alliance are assured seamless installation and support, benefitting from the collective expertise of PSNI’s integrators and vendors alike.

NewTek and Panopto entered a new technical partnership  regarding NewTek’s CaptureCast, the automated, IP-based, distributed lecture capture solution connects any room, whether a classroom or a meeting room, to any other space, anywhere in the world via the power of NDI.

 “Worldwide, we see an increased demand for AV-over-IP in education and business. Hybrid teaching and working are driving changes in communication, and rapid technology changes in AV mean many customers need the flexibility of AV-over-IP.  Collaborating with organizations like NewTek on products like CaptureCast, brings class-leading AV-over-IP options to all our users,” said Rene Karras, head of marketing, Panopto EMEA.

[Can NDI Become Ubiquitous?] 

CaptureCast, when combined with a powerful and flexible scheduling tool, automates the lecture or presentation capture, freeing the storyteller, presenter, or educator to focus on the content.

With this seamless and integral part of the lecture capture workflow, users gain a flexible scheduling tool via Panopto, and Panopto customers can implement CaptureCast with no additional hardware. Users simply plug and play, and CaptureCast can be set up as a remote recorder quickly and efficiently for any classroom or boardroom.

A unique integration with Panopto’s Remote Recorder feature supports configuring, scheduling, and recording sessions from CaptureCast all over a web browser.

CaptureCast is also fully accessible and controllable through an easy-to-use web interface, offering enhanced AV room management. Video content then automatically stores in Panopto's cloud-based video management system for easy management and distribution.

[NDI Unveils New Business Vision, Certification Programs]

 Together, the organizations offer a complete AV-over-IP workflow. No SDI or HDMI is needed to facilitate multi-room network device interface (NDI) setups. Panopto also includes pre-existing support for NDI tools. Users can seamlessly set up high-quality capture via NDI-enabled devices and distribute through the cloud quickly and efficiently.

This unique capability enables organizations to synchronize physically separate video sources in the cloud and stream them as a single production. For example, Panopto and CaptureCast can synchronize an NDI-enabled camera at the back of an auditorium with a demo laptop on stage, capturing both feeds simultaneously and streaming them to a live audience without the need for physical connections between the video sources.

[How NDI 5 Impacts AVoIP Remote Live Production]

Beyond a single room, through CaptureCast’s Virtual Recorders capability, a single unit can capture multiple rooms simultaneously, then be pushed to Panopto. As such, CaptureCast servers can live in the data center, not physically in each room, offering untold flexibility and scalability when delivering lectures, meetings, and event capture.

“AV-over-IP is the future of recording and moving video. This partnership with Panopto ensures both our tech support experts can work together to introduce innovative solutions and additional, integrated capabilities so our joint customers across education and enterprise can have the top tech in AV-over-IP available,” concluded Liam Hayter, product manager, CaptureCast and Micro-broadcasting, Vizrt.

SMPTE is partnering with the Open Services Alliance, which focuses on enabling improved open interoperability among service-based applications. This partnership is a natural extension of SMPTE's Rapid Industry Solutions Program, which aims to make the standards process more efficient, transparent, and versatile.

OSA was established in 2019 and typically identifies two to three new initiatives each year, based on relevance, and completes them in a matter of months. OSA's ability to streamline service-based applications consistently year after year is invaluable to the industry.

[SMPTE Opens Call for Papers for 2023 Media Technology Summit]

Combined with SMPTE's stellar reputation, board membership, strong admin tools, administrative, marketing, and other staff, this partnership combines the strengths of both organizations, creating a collaborative force that will change how standards are created. With SMPTE and OSA working together, the entire RIS process will be streamlined from start to finish. This means that initiating, developing, and publishing solutions as SMPTE documents will be easier than ever.

Additionally, members of both OSA and SMPTE will need to be involved with only one organization rather than two, thus making it easier for the community's members to be involved with and expand on initiatives they care about most.

A top priority for this partnership is to address Catena, an interoperability project made possible by a partnership with Ross Video. SMPTE and OSA will expand this already popular tech that promises to revolutionize multivendor interoperability in hybrid cloud environments.

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance] 

Those who wish to join the newly merged SMPTE and OSA can visit the SMPTE Member Portal. More information about the partnership and new initiatives is available by contacting one of the organizations or by participating in a special live event at the 2023 NAB Show at 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, April 17, at the NAB Show's Connect Inspiration Theater (W3421).

"We are very excited and pleased with the fortuitous timing of this partnership just before our industry comes together for the 100th NAB Show. Combining the strengths of these two organizations promises to simplify and accelerate development of cloud and microservice related standardization, so dearly needed by our industry," explained Chris Lennon, executive director of the OSA.

Utelogy Corporation has expanded its Utelligence Program for AV and UC Device Standardization with support for NETGEAR AV Line Managed Switches. This strategic partnership with NETGEAR offers end-user customers, integrators, and Managed Service Providers a range of benefits.

Through this partnership, Utelogy users can expect seamless integration of the NETGEAR AV Line Switches with the Utelogy Platform, delivering proactive alerts and monitoring for an enhanced user experience. Users will also have full insight and management of the NETGEAR system, including connection status, PoE status, port speed, port mode, firmware, and additional metrics. The AV Line switches combine years of networking expertise with best practices from leading experts in the professional AV market.

[AVoIP Standards: The Fight to Get It Right] 

“We are thrilled to partner with one of the leading manufacturers of AVoIP switches,” said Frank Pellkofer, president, and co-founder at Utelogy. "The Utelligence standard for secure and robust APIs for easy integration has become increasingly powerful in our industry. It’s proving to be an excellent way of building partnerships that focus on security and making sure the end-user’s voice is heard.”

NETGEAR's innovative networking products connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live. The new NETGEAR AV user interface presents common AV controls right up front with user-selectable profiles for common AV platforms making it easy to configure. With the use of a REST API, NETGEAR switches can be integrated quickly and easily, making them an ideal partner for integration into Utelogy's Utelligence program, satisfying all the controlling, monitoring, and security requirements to be labeled as Utelligent+.

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance] 

The Utelogy Platform is becoming more innovative and feature-rich due to these collaborations and partnerships with manufacturers like NETGEAR. Together, they are creating a “single pane of glass” management and monitoring solution that delivers an exceptional user experience, while reducing the total cost of ownership.

Crestron has introduced the AirMedia Connect Adaptor, a one-touch, plug-and-play wireless presentation solution for wireless conferencing. As Microsoft announced at their Enterprise Connect 2023 keynote, Crestron and Microsoft will launch an AirMedia collaboration bundle for Microsoft Teams software that will bring BYOD and Microsoft Teams meetings to even more spaces. The AirMedia Connect Adaptor is the only dongle optimized by Microsoft for wireless collaboration, eliminating the need for an application to present and conference, and expanding and simplifying BYOD meeting solutions.

“Whether you’re in a huddle room, lounge, or mixed-use room, effective hybrid work requires the ability to easily present and conference without jumping through hoops,” said Lauren Simmen, director of commercial product marketing for Crestron. “The plug-and-play AirMedia Connect Adaptor allows users to collaborate more freely using their personal devices and any outfitted display to riff on an impromptu brainstorm or deliver a formal business presentation.”

[PSNI Global Alliance Welcomes Crestron as Global Sponsor]

Enabling Seamless BYOD Collaboration in Any Type of Room

BYOD is a leading request of organizations that want a simple way to bring meeting capabilities to smaller or non-traditional collaboration spaces where they may not want to deploy full third-party collaboration infrastructure. The AirMedia Connect Adaptor works with various platforms for added flexibility, but the Microsoft Teams software variation adds even more convenience for organizations that have chosen a standard meeting platform. With the press of a button, users can instantly join virtual meeting participants using their device of choice while taking advantage of the high-quality audio and video in-room peripherals. When used for wireless presentation, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor allows for content transmission in up to 4K/30p, so users never have to worry that their image or video quality will suffer. Even more, all content transmitted utilizes encryption, so guests won’t have to worry about using new networks, and hosts won’t have to worry about unwanted intrusions.

With its wireless presentation capability and upcoming wireless conferencing functionality, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor increases meeting efficiency and productivity as it allows for greater choice in device type, meeting format, and location, each of which is an increasingly relevant factor as enterprises navigate returns to the office. Simply plug the AirMedia Connect Adaptor into the local device’s USB-C connector, use the quick-touch buttons, and present or conference with no need to install additional software or adjust user access.

[Bring on BYOD]

A Gateway to Enhanced Hybrid Meetings

For Microsoft Teams users constantly moving to and from their office, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor will streamline their BYOD workplace experience. Where Crestron essential room technologies are in place, AirMedia collaboration technology integrates natively to create a robust, intelligent experience: occupancy sensors to wake the room up, touch screens to manage schedules and controls, and the Crestron DigitalMedia platform to enable wired presentation and content distribution, without the hassle of extensive programming in each room.

As with all Crestron devices, provisioning and managing AirMedia devices can be done remotely with zero-touch provisioning through the Crestron XiO Cloud Management System, which can also be used to deploy firmware updates, keeping the system updated without needing new installations or hardware replacements.

NETGEAR has joined the RAVENNA community. The audio-over-IP technology developed by ALC NetworX, developer of the RAVENNA audio-over-IP technology, will not partner with the NETGEAR AV brand offering scalable AV-over-IP and wireless networking solutions for the Commercial market. NETGEAR's Pro AV solutions are engineered specifically for AV-over-IP with out-of-the-box support for most networked AV solutions. 

[AIMS Welcomes NETGEAR and Megapixel VR as New Members]

“NETGEAR is a renowned manufacturer of networking equipment for all major markets, servicing projects ranging from residential all the way up to enterprise-scale applications," said Andreas Hildebrand, RAVENNA evangelist at ALC NetworX. "With RAVENNA now stretching its legs into the Pro AV market, NETGEAR with its Pro AV range of products and experience in the commercial market is a valuable partner for the RAVENNA partner community.”

NETGEAR has been developing commercial network equipment for over 25 years. With the AV Line series of network switches, NETGEAR has reduced common installation frictions with pre-set profiles for AV-over-IP protocols, from one-room setups to very large AV networks with thousands of endpoints. 

[Running from Fears in Pro AV] 

"We recognize the importance of key affiliations and associations that make the Pro AV industry work," said NETGEAR’s Laurent Masia, director of product line management for managed switches. "From integration partners around the world, to AV companies helping to create new ways of working in Pro AV, NETGEAR maintains relationships with a number of organizations, and is pleased to add RAVENNA to that esteemed company."

Crestron has partnered with PSNI Global Alliance as its newest global sponsor. The PSNI vendor sponsorship is designed to strengthen the strategic partnership between PSNI Global Alliance and Crestron while providing enhanced benefits to both parties.

As a global sponsor, Crestron will have the opportunity to engage with PSNI Global Alliance's network of audiovisual professionals, providing valuable resources and expertise to the community. In addition, Crestron's commitment to excellence and innovation in automation, content distribution, and unified communications technology aligns with PSNI Global Alliance's mission to deliver world-class audiovisual solutions to clients around the world. Crestron technology can be found in the boardrooms of the world’s largest companies, the lecture halls of prestigious universities, on lavish superyachts, and in some truly luxurious homes.

[Supply Chain Issues: Here's How Crestron Is Handling Them]

"We are excited to welcome Crestron to our network as a global sponsor," said Tom Roberts, director of vendor programs for PSNI Global Alliance. "Their expertise in collaboration and automation technology will be a valuable resource to our Certified Solution Providers, and we look forward to working closely with them throughout the year on various initiatives."

As the leading alliance of audiovisual integrators, PSNI Global Alliance is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge audiovisual solutions to clients around the world. With a network of over 100 individual audiovisual organizations spanning six continents, PSNI Global Alliance provides clients with access to the industry's top audiovisual integrators, ensuring that their audiovisual needs are met with the highest level of service and expertise.

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance] 

"Crestron has always been dedicated to creating innovative, cutting-edge technologies that advance our industry forward," said Mark Swiderski, executive vice president of commercial at Crestron. "By partnering with PSNI as a Global Sponsor, Crestron is able to further our support and collaboration in the AV/IT business world with their global alliance of certified solution providers.”

Poly, now part of HP, is announcing a series of new product and partner updates at Enterprise Connect focused on improving the hybrid collaboration experience.

Studio X Family of Android-Based Video Bars are Now Certified for Google Meet

The Studio X family of Android-based video bars are extending the power of Poly on Google Meet. The solutions are now certified for Google Meet, which means organizations can leverage the power of Poly innovation with its first room solutions for Google Meet. The entire family of Poly Studio X devices are now certified under the Works with Google Meet program, which guarantees compatibility of video conferencing devices and peripherals with Google Meet. The Poly Studio X family of video bars, paired with the TC8 or TC10 touch controller, deliver a comprehensive meeting experience for Google Meet users.

Learn more here.

HP | Poly’s Video Solutions for Every Space Certified for Microsoft Teams

Poly's portfolio designed for Microsoft Teams Rooms now features the newly certified Poly Studio X70 video bar for large rooms and G7500 modular room solution. Both solutions are designed to support meeting equity and foster authentic connections across hybrid teams with innovative technology that eliminates distractions, so employees can easily collaborate wherever they work. No matter the environment, room size, or operating system preference, Poly solutions provide customers with flexibility and a consistent experience. 

Here's what you can look forward to with the newly certified Poly Studio X70 and G7500.

Introducing Poly Rove 20 DECT IP Phone and the B1 Base Station

Building upon the existing Poly Rove family of wireless DECT 1 IP devices, Poly introduced the Poly Rove 20 and B1 base station. The Rove 20 wireless DECT IP phone is an entry-level single cell DECT handset equipped a 2-inch color display, 4-line keys, duplex speakerphone and up to 35-hours of talk time, the longest talk-time and battery life in its family. The Rove 20 brings an attractive entry-level option to the existing Rove family of phones, which includes the Rove 30 and Rove 40. The Rove 20 is designed for small and medium sized businesses, but also offers the flexibility to scale to the needs of any size organization. 

The Rove series wireless DECT IP phones are designed to provide robust and secure communication and connectivity with an extensive range. The Rove 20 and B1 are ideal for warehouse staff, retail staff, clinic staff, and other vertical shift-based or front-line workers. The phone system offers one-touch functionality and a user-friendly screen size, which makes it easy to use.

Find out all the details here. 

Poly, NuCurrent Partner to Enable Work from Anywhere

HP|Poly and NuCurrent have partnered to power the next generation of devices delivering virtual meeting equity for remote, hybrid, and on-site office workers alike.

Poly’s research and development team sources transformative technologies to help make its pro-grade solutions more flexible, future-ready, and scalable. The team decided to partner with NuCurrent to implement innovative wireless charging technology and take today’s mobile technology designed for hybrid workers to the next level.

See what they are doing for the hybrid world here. 

American Sound is partnering with Utelogy Corporation. By leveraging the power of the Utelogy platform as part of American Sound’s Managed Service Offering, customers will receive an enhanced experience through preventative maintenance and proactive monitoring.  

[Welcome to the AV Renaissance]

Dating back to the 1940’s, American Sound and Electronics was founded by a World War II veteran who worked with farmers to increase their ability to communicate with the use of radios.  As time went on, technology continued to evolve, but one thing remains consistent—communication is power—and having a partner who is focused on supporting that is essential.  Today, technology that enables collaboration and communication is critical to every single meeting.  The impact of that technology not working consistently is costing companies time and money.  American Sound recognized the need for a more rapid and proactive support offering and built their Remote Operations Center or The ROC. 

“We evaluated every solution available to enhance The ROC," explained Bradley Moore, director of programs and services at American Sound. "Utelogy consistently stood out above the others due to the feature rich UI, agnostic monitoring capabilities and innovative roadmap. We are honored to align The ROC with Utelogy and pave the way for what a customer centric technology partner can be.”   

[Blueprint for Success: Learn from the Past, Shape Your Future] 

Utelogy’s software-driven platform delivers a range of analytics by managing all aspects of an organization’s AV and Unified Communications estate. By maximizing AV technology uptime, reducing time to meeting start, and streamlining energy efficiencies, the Utelogy platform significantly enhances ROI on an enterprise’s technology investment. Utelogy also improves the overall efficiency and productivity of the IT support staff. Moreover, the software provides valuable usage data, both for devices and rooms, and makes all information available via a single, integrated dashboard.

FOR-A has expanded its offering through a strategic partnership with Alfalite, manufacturer of LED panels for screens and volumes. Initially the agreement allows FOR-A to market the screens in selected areas but the intention is that this will become a global arrangement.

Alfalite has unique technologies which allow it to produce 1.9mm pixel panels with 175-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles, and very high brightness and color fidelity. The panels can be built into any size of LED wall or volume, creating virtual production and augmented reality spaces ideal for broadcast, corporate and educational applications.

[Cameron University Refreshes Television Studio]

"At FOR-A, we always want to understand the real requirements of our customers, and to find innovative ways of meeting them," said Hiroaki Tanoue, senior general manager of FOR-A. "We know that our market is looking for a reliable way to get into virtual production and augmented reality, and trust FOR-A to help them through challenges. Having Alfalite on our side helps us support our customers in realizing their ambitions."

While FOR-A is widely known as a manufacturer of a broad range of broadcast video products, it is regularly asked to provide complete systems in many markets around the world, and the ability to offer LED screens from Alfalite extends this capability. Along with other technology partnerships, it means that FOR-A will be able to deliver turnkey solutions in areas like remote presence as well as final pixel virtual production and broadcast studios.

[A 120-Square-Foot LED Wall Is the Centerpiece of a New Extended XR Studio]

“We are particularly proud that FOR-A has chosen Alfalite as their LED display technology partner," Luis Garrido, executive director of Alfalite, added. "Our two companies share similar cultures: a commitment to design, develop and manufacture products with guaranteed quality and reliability, and we are confident that this agreement will enhance FOR-A’s offering to the market."

Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, and #GALSNGEAR, a movement to bring parity to women in media and entertainment, have entered into a non-financial partnership to help promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the ProAV, IT, and broadcast industries. The two organizations will work together on developing DEI content and events, STEM recruitment efforts, and more.

[Industry Leaders Launch Women in AV/IT—Who They Are and What to Know]

"During our initial meeting, we quickly saw a host of synergies between WAVIT and #GALSNGEAR," said Gina Sansivero, founder and president of WAVIT and vice president of marketing and communications at AtlasIED. "We are going to work together to get more women a seat at the table—in the control room and in the board room—through cross-promoting events, developing DEI content, STEM recruitment, and other initiatives."

"We’ve made progress, but there is more work to be done. Through our programs, we make sure women are visible at key industry events, but also get access to the leadership skills and networking opportunities that propel their careers," added Amy DeLouise, founder of #GALSNGEAR and chief creative officer at DeLouise Enterprises.

[International Women's Day: Building Careers in Pro AV]

To kick off the cooperation, WAVIT will be supporting #GALSNGEAR's Connect Women's Leadership Summit at the 2023 NAB Show. The event will feature a networking coffee/light breakfast, Masterclass workshop led by negotiation skills guru Susan Borke of Borkeworks, a speed networking break, and a Leadership View panel featuring industry leaders across several different tech and media sectors.

AVI Systems released a new managed services offering for organizations that have deployed Microsoft Teams Rooms in their environments. MTR Pro Advanced service allows enterprise IT teams to transition the management and support of their Teams room solutions to AVI. The service ensures customers’ MTR rooms are optimized for maximum performance and with more than 30 U.S. locations AVI specialists can provide immediate unlimited remote and on-site support. 

[SCN Top 50: New World Order]

The new MTR Pro Advanced service leverages the strength of AVI Systems’ Microsoft solutions division, Magenium, which serves clients using Microsoft’s multi-tenant portal available to only a select group of partners. MTR Pro Advanced also offers escalation paths to Microsoft’s engineering team, delivers more data insights, and provides faster resolution and response times to customers.

“IT leaders, especially those responsible for conference rooms and collaboration service-lines, are in a hunt for ways to make AV behave like good IT,” said Brad Sousa, chief technology officer at AVI Systems. “This means more than just installing AV. It means managing conference rooms like we manage other IT devices. Now organizations can put our skilled managed services and support experts to work on their behalf. Our Microsoft Solutions capabilities include a world-class certified support team that will manage any Microsoft Teams Room estate—proactively and securely—to ensure the solutions are always up and running for users.”

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022]

AVI’s new MTR Pro Advanced Support includes:

• Proactive Monitoring and Management: Using the Microsoft MTR Pro Management portal, AVI Systems assumes administration and support of all MTR solutions/rooms for the client. In addition, Microsoft Solution experts at AVI partner with the organization’s IT team to create a multi-tenant experience and proactively monitor and manage each MTR using a single pane of glass. AVI's service is designed to immediately recognize and resolve issues; however, if a customer needs assistance, a team of Microsoft engineers at AVI Systems is always at the ready.
• Software and Security Management: MTR Pro Advanced managed services assure the client that each room in the organization is maintained at recommended software and firmware levels to deliver a room that is always ready for use and works as designed. There are also controlled software and firmware deployments using update rings to schedule updates and adherence to customer change management procedures such as room application updates, third-party apps, audio and camera firmware updates, and more.
• Unlimited Remote and Onsite Support: AVI provides SLA-based tiered and co-tiered incident and problem management to ensure when an issue is identified it is addressed quickly with speed to resolution.
• Reporting and Enhanced Services: AVI provides access to key performance indicators and other relevant business metrics with visual dashboards that are updated and available 24/7/365. Using the MTR Pro Management portal, end-users get full incident and service history reporting, inventory and usage reports, trends and roadmap reporting, fully managed escalation with OEMs and third-party vendors, and more.

With Airtame Rooms, users no longer need to worry about meeting links, set-up changes, and the typical problems that plague today’s classrooms and conference room. With three new feature upgrades, Airtame Rooms further improves hybrid collaboration. The new upgrades include full integration with Zoom (a feature now officially out of Beta), along with calendar integrations with Microsoft Calendar and Google Calendar.

“Airtame helps transform organizations into a hybrid environment where every meeting space embraces both physical and remote interactions, promoting collaboration equity for all,” said Susanne Lund, Airtame CEO. “With the full integration of Zoom, Microsoft Calendar, and Google Calendar, we’re creating a truly cross-service hybrid conferencing solution in which users do not need to worry about meeting links, set-up changes, and the typical problems that plague today’s conference rooms. Conferencing should be easy, and Airtame’s hybrid conferencing solution makes it so.” 

[SCN Hybrid World: Workplace Products and Expert Tips] 

With full Zoom integration, users can now easily join Teams or Zoom meetings on any Airtame Hub device. It’s as easy as joining a Zoom call on Airtame Hub directly via a scheduled event in the users’ calendar or with a meeting link. 

“Even with our Zoom feature out of Beta, we'll continue to work on adding new features, enabling tighter integration with Zoom's services, and improving overall performance,” Lund emphasized. “Now, users never have to miss another meeting because they couldn’t join a Zoom call from another room system that didn’t have ‘guest-join’ enabled or didn’t support Zoom. With Airtame Rooms, users will have a uniform and simple user experience no matter the meeting link – Zoom or Microsoft Teams.” 

The new Microsoft Calendar and Google Calendar integrations solve another major collaboration pain point experienced by workers and educators today. It’s often difficult to coordinate and book conference call rooms with the corresponding conferencing platform they are compatible with. In many situations, users will need to invite the room to the calendar event with a link, or users must join the calls on their own devices and then invite the room into the call. 

These new calendar integrations streamline efficiency to get meetings up and running with ease by integrating directly with the user's own calendar via the Airtame app. They can log into their work calendar using Microsoft or Google single sign on, and immediately preview the list of meetings in their calendar. Once logged in, they can easily join a call from there.

[Who's Ready for Hybrid?] 

“With the Airtime hybrid conferencing solution, it’s now possible to effortlessly control video conferencing with a single platform, expanding the capabilities of the hybrid collaboration that has come to define how we work and learn,” Lund said. “You can start a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting on the same room system with an identical user experience—regardless of platform—right from your Microsoft calendar or Google calendar. Once logged in, it’s as easy as one click.” 

Airtame’s hybrid conferencing solution consists of both software and hardware. Airtame Rooms—the software component running on Airtame Hub—integrates with multiple services, enabling flexibility and ease. Airtame Hub—the hardware component—enables the premiere Airtame experience for screen sharing, digital signage, and seamless hybrid conferencing. 

Utelogy Corporation has joined the Barco ClickShare Alliance Program as a validated technology partner, extending the capabilities of its software platform for managing AV and UC devices and peripherals to include Barco’s ClickShare Conference solution for wireless presentation and conferencing.

ClickShare solutions enable wireless conferencing and presentation in meeting spaces. When users walk into the meeting room, ClickShare automatically connects their laptop to room devices like cameras, mics, speakers, sound bars and displays. They can start a meeting from a laptop within seconds, using their preferred video conferencing platform.

[Seeing Is Believing with These 17 Conference Cameras] 

Barco is continually expanding its Alliance Program by adding complementary solutions to help provide a seamless integration of technologies and ultimately provide users with an enhanced total experience.

“We’re happy to work together with Utelogy on the integration of ClickShare into their enterprise-grade platform for managing, monitoring, controlling, and automating connected workspaces. Our joint partnership will help IT managers to manage and monitor their ClickShare units in the meeting room and beyond. The future of work is only one click away,” said Johan Pirot, head of MX initiatives and strategic partnerships meeting experience and weConnect at Barco.

The addition of Utelogy room management solutions such as U-Manage and
U-Automate furthers the Alliance goals of simplifying deployments, optimizing efficiency, minimizing reaction time, and reducing costs.

[The ABCs of APIs: A Primer to All Things API] 

“With the power of Utelogy, users can gain actionable insights into their entire AV/UC estate under a single pane of glass,” said Kevin Morrison, CEO at Utelogy. “They can monitor the health and status of ClickShare devices across an entire estate using a fully customizable location hierarchy. This integration will deliver more intuitive in-room control and let users focus more on their content and collaboration during meetings and not the technical logistics behind the scenes.”

Utelogy solutions can interface to ClickShare via its Rest API for seamless integrations and updates. The Utelogy and ClickShare integration will deliver a range of benefits, including proactive monitoring with customizable alerts and notifications, enhanced room readiness, network automation and self-healing, advanced analytics and custom dashboards.

Avocor has joined the PSNI Global Alliance as its latest Global Preferred Vendor Partner (PVP), reinforcing PSNI’s vendor offering with a comprehensive portfolio and knowledge of collaborative display solutions.

Avocor provides solutions that allow people to come together easily, in-person or remotely, efficiently, and effectively. Specializing in Corporate, Education, and Public Sector markets, its solutions are designed to be fully compliant with today’s communication software and hardware including Google, Zoom, Microsoft, Logitech, HP, and Lenovo.

[Dana Corey Talks Displays]

With this new partnership, Avocor has become a global strategic manufacturing partner of The Alliance, granting access to its Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to pursue new market opportunities and enable worldwide, standardized solutions for their customers. 

“This is a great partnership for us," said Dana Corey, senior vice president and general manager at Avocor. “PSNI’s mantra for excellent practice and the highest operational standards echoes our own and we are excited to introduce Avocor to PSNI’s network of CSPs and help them deliver world-class solutions to their customers.”

[Ask the Experts: 18 AV/IT Industry Thought Leaders On Displays] 

PSNI Global Alliance boasts a global network of integrators, known as Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) and vendors from across the AV/IT and UCC spectrum. PSNI’s Preferred Vendor Partners (PVP), of which Avocor is now a part of, connects manufacturers with CSPs to jointly pursue market opportunities by enabling vendors to design programs in sync with PSNI CSPs.

“We are delighted to welcome Avocor to the PSNI Global Alliance lineup,” said Tom Roberts, director of vendor programs for PSNI Global Alliance. “Partnership is a core component of The Alliance and Avocor has a solid reputation for innovation, service and technical support. Its comprehensive range of collaborative displays and bespoke solutions are a perfect addition to our Preferred Vendor portfolio, and we look forward to a strong, productive and enjoyable partnership.”

Elation Professional and Obsidian Control Systems partnered with Backstage Academy, UK’s institution for the education of the next generation of live event professionals. Both Elation and Obsidian are providing the latest products to Backstage Academy for use in educational courses and training purposes.

Backstage Academy is located in the heart of Production Park, a live events and entertainment technology campus near Leeds that combines industry, education, and innovation. It features production studios, businesses, and educational facilities, where creatives, technicians, designers, and engineers collaborate to advance the live events industry. Backstage Academy offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, short courses and bespoke training programs that involve getting hands on with innovative equipment and technology used by the entertainment industry. 4Wall Entertainment, TAIT, and ROE Visual are onsite and entrenched in the fabric of Production Park as well as other industry leading companies.

[Bright Lights, Big City—How an Elation Rig Bring Donny Osmond's Residency to Life]

Backstage Academy students will have access to Elation lighting and Obsidian lighting control products for their studies for both on-campus and off-campus projects. The gear will also be utilized in training courses with industry professionals. The package includes Proteus and KL series luminaires from Elation, Magmatic atmospheric effects, as well as NX control solutions and NETRON data distribution devices from Obsidian.

“We pride ourselves on being a place where we equip the next generation of live industry professionals with all the necessary skills and experience for an evolving and changing industry," said Rachel Nicholson, head of institution at Backstage Academy. "Partnerships with industry-leading companies such as Elation Professional are key to our students’ personal and professional development. They will gain hands-on experience, training and confidence using the latest cutting-edge lighting and control technologies. We are delighted to be working with Elation Professional and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

“The live events industry needs education facilities like Backstage Academy like never before and we are thrilled to be adding our latest lighting and control technologies to their training curriculum," added Graham Hill, business development manager at Elation Professional. "Production Park has quickly established itself as one of the leading training and research centers for our industry and for Elation and Obsidian to be there at the start of a young professional’s career in live events is quite significant. We are proud to be supporting the next generation of users, designers, hirers and specifiers.” The partnership with Backstage Academy also includes use of Production Park facilities for product demonstrations and Open Days events.

[Unpacking 2022's AV/IT Industry Acquisitions, Partnerships, Restructuring, and Re-branding] 

The partnership also sees Elation lighting products used within XPLOR, a research and innovation center delivered by Backstage Academy that opened in 2022. It features spacious design and prototype areas for testing, modeling, and building physical and virtual environments. XPLOR conducts pioneering research and development as well as custom services for clients. Elation's KL Panel and KL Fresnel 8 FC luminaires are used in XPLOR's Centre for Virtual Production.

Jetbuilt has strengthened its global footprint through new software enhancements, strategic developer partnerships, and a worldwide team. 

In 2015, Jetbuilt was established to accelerate projects and simplify collaboration for AV professionals. Jetbuilt has evolved from a simple sales tool to an end-to-end project management solution. Jetbuilt recognized the overwhelming demand for an intuitive, global cloud-based solution and introduced core international functionality in 2016.

[Jetbuilt's Roadmap to Strengthen Industry Collaboration]

“As a commercial integrator in Southern California, I recognized the need for a cloud-based platform that empowered fast collaboration,” said Paul Dexter, founder and chief executive officer of Jetbuilt. “At the time, there were a handful of AV software vendors and the community of integrators, including myself, had stressed the need to modernize their technology for the future of collaboration. They resisted strongly. Jetbuilt was established to not only fill that void but build a solution that would never stop listening to the growing needs of its customers.

“Today, the companies that resisted the industry’s changing needs are either out of business or chasing Jetbuilt’s innovations. Our secret sauce comes from listening to our users and providing them with the tools to accelerate their businesses.”

Recently, Jetbuilt has introduced various global translations to streamline project workflow. The latest enhancement enables Jetbuilt users to render professional, high-impact project presentations to clients in their native languages. Additionally, Jetbuilt’s powerful multi-currency functionality allows users to compile products across multiple currencies and propose a project in an entirely different currency. Jetbuilt continues to partner with developers to introduce seamless integrations between Jetbuilt and industry-leading business platforms, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, Salesforce, Solutions 360, Acumatica, and many others. 

[Jetbuilt and Vectorworks Announce Integration Partnership]

Notably, Jetbuilt has hired Jonathan Breckon-Rowe to lead Jetbuilt’s business development and customer relationships in EMEA. Breckon-Rowe brings nearly three decades of experience in the professional AV industry. Notably, Breckon-Rowe served as the chief technology officer for Kramer Electronics UK. In his role at Jetbuilt, Breckon-Rowe works closely with Jetbuilt’s customers throughout EMEA to understand their specific needs and build solutions designed to propel their businesses.

“We are proud to be a trusted resource for leaders, such as Kinly, Solotech, Electrosonic, and many others,” noted Dexter. “Our Jetbuilt community continues to grow, and we are pleased to welcome many smaller integrators that have found immense success collaborating with multi-location teams. Whether it’s a notable global player or a niche integrator, we continue to listen to industry demands through our live support desk, annual Jetbuilt User Summit, and countless open meetings at our offices and trade shows around the world. We will never stop listening to our users and crafting powerful solutions to solve today’s workflow challenges.”  

Hall Technologies and ADI Global Distribution have entered a new distribution relationship. ADI customers across EMEA will now have access to the comprehensive line of end-to-end Pro AV solutions from Hall Technologies.

[On AVoX: Hall Technologies]

“As part of our global expansion strategy, we’ve partnered with ADI to bring our human-centric products to their clients. Hall’s focus is on truly understanding what customers need and offering top quality products to exceed those needs. We look to ADI as a key strategic partner to help us grow our brand and customer base in the region. We’re thrilled to collaborate with ADI and look forward to our mutual growth opportunities,” said Hall Technologies vice president of sales and marketing, Hal Truax.

[Unpacking 2022's AV/IT Industry Acquisitions, Partnerships, Restructuring, and Re-branding] 

"ADI remains committed to expanding our Pro AV portfolio of products and providing our customers with the products they need to successfully design and install integrated solutions." said Chris Godfrey, senior category manager, Pro AV. "We're really excited work with Hall Technologies and further expand ADI's Pro AV product portfolio."

A new PTZOptics camera series is coming soon. The Link 4K will be released later this year and will add video to any existing Dante setup. With the latest in auto-tracking capabilities and universal compatibility, the Link 4K fits easily into even the most complex Dante design or workflow. 

“We are excited to have PTZOptics join the Dante family with their all-new Dante AV-H camera. Dante AV-H brings Dante audio and control to H.264/265 video products, allowing for independent routing of video and audio streams over standard 1 gigabit networks," said Wim Roose, senior product manager for Audinate. "This makes it a perfect fit for conference rooms, classrooms and houses of worship. It's easy to install, takes advantage of existing infrastructure, and allows easy integration with existing audio systems." 

[Seeing Is Believing with These 17 Conference Cameras] 

The Link 4K is capable of 4K at 60fps over HDMI, USB, and IP. Using technology by Dante, the Link 4K is able to provide 1080p 60fps resolution over Dante AV-H, as well as SDI. The Link 4K offers built-in auto-tracking capabilities—no need to run software on another computer—freeing teams of the need for a camera operator. With 12x, 20x, and 30x optical zoom available, the Link 4K can fit seamlessly into any production scenario.

“The Link 4K marries our industry-leading auto-tracking features with Dante AV-H—something our integration partners have been asking for,” said Matt Davis, director of technology and information systems at PTZOptics. “We’ve worked hard to create a solution that not only fits seamlessly into any Dante workflow but will adapt to the future of video technology.” In addition to the Link 4K’s auto-tracking features, users will also have access to PTZOptics’ latest Web UI—updated to provide everything users need in one simple menu. Almost every feature in the Web UI has a tutorial function, perfect for novice producers navigating the settings for the first time.

[Dante: An Oral History]

PTZOptics Announces Partnership with NewBlue

PTZOptics has announced a partnership with NewBlue. As of January 1, 2023, all PTZOptics customers have access to a free 6-month subscription to NewBlue’s Titler Live 5 Present graphics and video overlay package. 

Titler Live 5 enables users to create broadcast-quality video overlays and graphics for live video productions. This flexible software can visualize data from virtually any source and delivers stunning main titles, lower thirds, crawls, slideshows, scoreboards and more through a simple, user-friendly interface. 

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With Titler Live 5 Present, users can choose from a package of over 150 customizable 3D animated graphics or import their own graphics from Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. Creating multiple versions of a graphic is fast and easy: A built-in spreadsheet interface allows users to customize unlimited sets of text, images and colors without needing to duplicate and edit individual graphics. Users can also connect data sources such as spreadsheets, slides, RSS feeds and clocks to automate content updates and cut production time.

“This partnership with NewBlue is an incredible value-add for PTZOptics customers,” said Paul Richards, chief revenue officer for PTZOptics. “With Titler Live 5, they’ll be able to bring a new level of excitement and polish to everything from webinar presentations and e-sports live streams to sporting events and streaming worship services.”