Canadian Music Trade - December/January 2019 | Page 10

NEWS Musikmesse & Prolight + Sound to Boost Synergy for Visitors & Exhibitors in 2019 For the first time, the Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound trade shows will be held concurrently across their entire four-day runs from April 2-5, 2019, in Frankfurt, Germany. The shows allow visitors to discover the entire spectrum of products for the music and live entertainment sectors. The layout of Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound is designed for an optimal concentration of product groups and themes. Halls 3.0 and 3.1 spotlight keyboards, percussion, and string and wind instruments, as well as sheet music and equipment. For the first time, all audio products will be concentrat- ed in one area, Hall 8.0. Opened in September 2018, Hall 12 will house lighting, stage equipment, and entertainment technology. In Hall 4.0, companies from the sectors of light, media technology, and event safety will present their products and services in the centre of the exhibition visitor stream. Hall 4.1 will bring together associations of the music and event sector and is home to a joint business and networking area for both fairs. There, Prolight + Sound exhibitors will also have the opportunity to make presentations in the heart of the exhibition centre. Rounding off the hall layout is Forum.0 for full-range companies and the Congress Centre with the program for musical instruction. Following its premiere in 2018, The Future of Music and Audio Technology seminars will be expanded and cover subjects that have a decisive impact on the global music industry, such as artificial intelligence, app integration, and wearables for musicians. The program is being organized by the Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange (A3E). For more information, go to www.pls.messefrankfurt.com. ADI Now Distributing Source Audio Pedals Boston, MA-based guitar and bass effects pedal man- ufacturer Source Audio has announced that Audio Distributors International (ADI) is now its exclusive distributor in Canada. “Canada gave the world some of the greatest guitar players and songwriters of all time,” says Source Audio President Roger K. Smith. “Some of the best music stores in North America are also found in Canada. It is a country I love to vis- ADI’s Richard Lasnier it, and it is very important to me that Source Audio has the highest quality sup- port for our dealers. Naturally, Source Audio is thrilled to have our product represented by ADI in Canada.” “At ADI, our long background in pro audio has caused us to be particularly fussy and picky when it comes to adding new electronic products to our family of brands. Source Audio simply blew us away with the level of innovation and sophistication in their products,” says Richard Lasnier, president and CEO at ADI. “It’s no surprise that they’ve received so much critical acclaim. We are very proud to be associated with such a fine company in developing our musical instrument catalogue.” For more information, contact ADI: 450-449-8177, [email protected], www.adimi.ca. 10 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE Gibson Names New Executive Team Gibson Brands has named James “JC” Curleigh as its new president and CEO. Curleigh joins Gibson from Levi Strauss & Co., where he served as president of the Levi’s brand. Gibson also appointed Cesar Gueikian as chief merchant officer, Kim Mattoon as chief financial officer, and Christian Schmitz as chief production offi- cer. The appoint- ments follow years of financial trouble for Gibson Brands that ended in the fall with the company settling its Chap- ter 11 cases with stakeholders and Henry Jusz- GIBSON CEO JAMES “JC” CURLEIGH kiewicz stepping down as CEO. The new executive team’s focus, according to the company, will be on setting the conditions for success for Gibson Brands, developing meaningful partnerships, and deliv- ering profitable growth across the core business of guitars and beyond. “As a musician, I have always treasured my Gibson guitars and I have the utmost respect for the iconic Gibson brand and those who choose to play Gibson guitars,” says Curleigh. “As a business leader and a brand builder, this is the beginning of a new era for Gibson that will build on its proven heritage and iconic status. We are focusing on the future and off to a fresh start, with a strong financial foundation, a committed and experienced new leadership team, and new ownership that is equally passionate about the brand.” For more information, go to www.gibson.com.