Meryl McLaren (pictured) has been appointed commercial manager at BBC Studios and Post Production, the Corporation’s commercial facilities company. McLaren has been promoted from her role as lead account manager, where she worked on the delivery of primetime shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Children in Need. “We’re delighted to announce Meryl is taking on the Commercial Manager role,” said John O’Callaghan, head of studios and post production services at BBC S&PP. “She has a strong track record in winning new business and successfully overseeing the commercial delivery of high profile shows, backed up by lots of relevant industry experience and contacts.”
Andreas Loges, former finance director of Rohde & Schwarz DVS, became the CEO of the company at the end of last year. DVS was founded in 1985 and in 2010 the firm’s owners decided to integrate it into the Munich-based Rohde & Schwarz group of companies. “Andreas Loges personifies the successful further development of DVS within the Rohde & Schwarz group,” commented Juergen Nies, head of the broadcasting division at Rohde & Schwarz.
Avid has announced two new appointments to its senior management team. Rick Lowenstein has joined Avid as SVP of customer success and professional services, while Mitch Weaver joins as VP of software development. Lowenstein brings more than 18 years of senior management experience in professional services, consulting and support at technology organisations. Weaver will spearhead the company’s software development effort. He has more than 34 years’ experience in leading technical operations, specialising in large systems software development.
Broadcast Networks has added five key members to its technical team. Peter Timmons, Francis Lea, Ben Curtis, Nick Petty and Philip Walters have joined the company from Sony Professional Solutions Europe where they worked closely with Malcolm Robinson, Broadcast Networks’ recently appointed director, media and broadcast solutions. He commented: “These new appointments allow us to grow the business by consolidating the experience already present at Broadcast Networks so that we are better able to deliver game-changing results to our customers.”
Mike Grieve has joined Clearleap as director of sales, EMEA, while Ola Bergvall has been appointed programme director, EMEA. Grieve has previously worked with a number of companies in the broadcast, film and TV sectors, and joins Clearleap from international broadcast systems integrator TSL. Bergvall was previously responsible for the launch of Spotify as an add-on service for TeliaSoneras’s customers in Finland, Denmark and Norway, and joins Clearleap from TeliaSonera Group.
Dolby Laboratories has announced that Curt Behlmer is joining Dolby as senior vice president of content solutions and industry relations. Behlmer is a 30-year veteran of the motion picture industry and recently served as CTO of entertainment services at Technicolor.
Oliver Au has been hired as regional sales manager for GB Labs. He previously worked at fibre storage specialist Bright Technologies and the German post systems reseller Dreamwalks. “Oliver brings a great depth of knowledge to the company; his understanding of the needs of broadcast and post production markets will be a great asset to GB Labs,” said Ben Pearce, sales and marketing director, GB Labs.
Grass Valley has announced the appointment of Sally Wallington as regional director, Northern Europe. The company has also recently appointed Vincent Eade as sales manager, Northern Europe.
Alvin Taveras has been named as the new business development manager, sports and entertainment, for Integrated Microwave Technologies (IMT). Taveras will be responsible for generating new as well as managing IMT’s existing relationships with professional sports teams, stadiums, system integrators, and video and cinematic production companies, colleges and churches.
IPE has announced Ray Bragg as its new director. Bragg has previously worked with the BBC in London, Wales and Bristol, and Central Television in Birmingham. He then set up his own company providing Broadcast Systems and Project Management Consultancy to a range of blue chip clients.
LSB Broadcast Technologies has expanded its European presence with new representation in the UK. Barry Revels will be responsible for all LSB business in the UK and will be based at the company’s new office in Northumberland.
Megahertz was acquired by systems integrator OKNO-TV UK in October 2013 and the combined forces of both companies will trade under the name of Megahertz Ltd. The existing management of the newly formed Megahertz Ltd will be based in the UK under the leadership of MD Jon Flay. The company will be bolstered by the appointment of Igor Orlov as managing partner, charged with the expansion of the Megahertz brand in the CIS region.
Molden Media has announced the appointment of Stefan Kramper to the position of worldwide sales and marketing director. He joins the company after several years as executive vice president, Europe at Prime Focus Technologies. PlayBox Technology has expanded its sales management team with the appointments of Phillip Neighbour and Maurice de Jonghe. Based at the company’s premises in Hatfield, they will work alongside Alan Bunting.
Graham Taylor has joined Wohler as EMEA sales director for the company’s monitoring product line.
Movie and TV series streaming service Wuaki.tv, has announced the appointment of Xavier Llobera as new partnerships and devices director. Llobera will continue to expand the streaming service’s availability on a range of devices, secure new business partnerships, and manage existing relationships at both a UK and international level.
