ACT Entertainment Acquires Ultimate Support Systems ACT Entertainment , a manufacturer and distributor of live performance equipment , has acquired Ultimate Support Systems , a top manufacturer of unique support solutions widely used throughout the music and live performance industries . The official announcement was made in Windsor , CO at the home office of Ultimate Support Systems , on Sept . 15 th .
“ We are very excited to add the Ultimate Support Systems product line and their team to the ACT Entertainment family ,” says Ben Saltzman , CEO of ACT Entertainment . “ Like ACT , Ultimate has a passion for innovation at its core . The ability to design , develop and engineer state-ofthe-art products while providing value and quality is unique in the category . The more I got to know Mike and the amazing team at Ultimate , the more excited I became at the opportunity to work together .”
With the ACT team now behind the brand , Ultimate will continue to grow its product line and create support solutions for performers and technicians .
“ I ’ m very thankful for the dealer and customer relationships and support developed over the nearly 16 years of owning and operating Ultimate . Moving on to the next chapter , we are very excited to be a part of the ACT Entertainment family ,” says Mike Belitz , CEO of Ultimate Support Systems . “ The new ownership will provide the resources for further growth and innovation that the brand deserves .”
NAMM Foundation Grants Nearly $ 500K to Coalition for Music Education in Canada & 22 Other Community Music-Making Organizations To advance its vision of creating a more musical world , The NAMM Foundation is providing grants to community music-making organizations that are serving as models for outreach and opportunities to make music . This year , a total of $ 482,500 is awarded to 23 programs — 17 American and six international music organizations , including the Coalition for Music Education in Canada — each providing access to music-making for thousands of individuals across various communities and demographics . The annual NAMM Foundation grants reflect the generosity of all NAMM members and private donors and their ongoing support for the industry ’ s annual gathering at the NAMM show .
Since 1994 , The NAMM Foundation and the NAMM Market Development department have reinvested $ 201 million to fulfill the organization ’ s vision to support music education and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan .
As a recipient , the Coalition for Music Education will have the funds to reimagine music education with their program , National Y4M Council . The program consists of 24 youth of diverse backgrounds from regions across Canada with an emphasis on building leadership for the next generation of musicians and music educators and advocates to influence music education policy in Canada .
Eventide Promotes Joe Cozzi to Sales Manager , Americas Eventide Audio has announced that Joe Cozzi has been promoted to the new role of sales manager for the Americas . He will be responsible for leading sales efforts for the company ’ s products , as well as expanding the scope of distribution .
In the new role of sales manager – Americas , Cozzi will manage accounts in the Americas for their audio and broadcast lines . He joined Eventide in 2015 as a national sales manager where he has spent the last seven years traveling the United States and Mexico supporting the dealer network and growing new business channels . He is responsible for managing accounts , conducting dealer trainings , and supporting the marketing division by attending trade shows and generating instructional video content . Through the years his territories expanded to include Canada and Central and South America .
Prior to joining Eventide , Cozzi worked with Line 6 as a product specialist servicing the mid-Atlantic and southeastern territories . Before that , he spent over a decade at Guitar Center moving up through pro audio sales into management as a sales training manager . Additionally , his work as an engineer garnered recognition on a Latin Grammy-winning album . He loves making electronic music , playing guitar , and playing soccer . He holds a bachelor ’ s degree in music engineering from the University of Miami . Cozzi is based in Miami , FL .
JOE COZZI
12 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE