The AV News Awards 2015
Now in its fifth year, The AV News Awards are a unique acknowledgement of the achievements of the individuals and organisations offering the best that the AV industry can provide. This year, the Awards Presentation adopted a new format – an exclusive breakfast for Awards Winners and Finalists plus selected industry leaders. The Presentation was held at the Amsterdam RAI on the opening morning of ISE 2015.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
AV Technologist of the Year 2015
The AV Technologist of the Year recognises an outstanding achievement by an individual in advancing AV technology. The Award is open to nominations for individuals responsible for the development of a new technology, solution or application, and which is either currently available on the market or which will be demonstrated as a working prototype up to and including ISE 2015.
Winner
Stuart Warren-Hill
Founder of Hexstatic and Holotronica
Stuart Warren-Hill is the principle developer of Holo-Gauze is a groundbreaking 3D display solution that is set to revolutionise the 3D projection market. More affordable, easier to set up and easier to transport than traditional systems, it comprises a metallic, highly transparent gauze. It is designed to be used with 3D polarised projection systems and can achieve believable 2D hologram effects. It’s the only gauze that works with 3D polarised projection because it retains the polarisation of light. Developed for events and large scale effects, Holo-Gauze is easy to tour and sets up in minutes. Screens can be made to any size and dimensions are only limited by projector throw capability.
AV Sales Professional of the Year 2015
The AV Sales Professional of the Year recognises the contribution that the individuals who lead or make up the sales teams of resellers, integrators, distributors or manufacturers make to advancement of the AV industry. The winner of the Award must demonstrate success in AV sales over a period of at least two years, a professional approach and innovation in sales technique.
Winner
Matt Keen
Account Manager
TD Maverick
Matt Keen headed up a project for a multi-million pound government contract that was secured during 2014, a process that took two years from start to completion. Diligence, patience and tenacity were required to see a project of this length through to a successful conclusion. Simultaneously, Matt was doing his regular job of managing two sales channels, delivering targets and working with customers. His ability to juggle the differing needs of both demonstrates his project and time management strengths. He has successfully implemented a bespoke supply chain logistics model and process to deliver a near 100% performance versus project SLAs.
Highly commended:
Sam Pomfret. Sahara Presentation Systems
AV Support Professional of the Year 2015
Support plays a vital role in customer retention and winning repeat business at every level in the channel. The AV Support Professional of the Year Award recognises the importance of the support and service functions in the running of a professional business, and is open to representatives of resellers, integrators, distributors and manufacturers. The winner must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the support role, and to provide evidence of positive customer interaction.
Winner
Stuart Reay
Technical Specialist
PSCo
Stuart’s industry experience and in-depth knowledge of all products within the PSCo portfolio allow him to work closely with our system integration partners to find the right solution to meet their specification. Stuart engages with partners at the earliest stages of a project to provide a site survey, risk assessment and method statement. This removes the risk of delays on site and ensures the technology specified is suitable for the environment. Stuart plays a key role in the PSCo Assessment Centre, working closely with the sales team and Product Manager on product demonstrations, assessing functionality, reviewing features and testing bespoke He Stuart provides a resource of experience, accreditations and in-depth knowledge of display technologies. His experience allows him to problem solve quickly and efficiently on-site.
AV Marketing Professional of the Year 2015
Communication of the benefits and applications of a continuing stream of new products, solutions and services have seen the marketing function increase in influence. The AV Marketing Professional of the Year Award recognises excellence in marketing and marketing communications. The winner must be able to demonstrate effectiveness, creativity and success over a period of not less than two years and innovation in marketing communications.
Winner
Shaun Marklew,
Sales and Marketing Director
Sahara Presentation Systems
Shaun is a long standing AV professional with a 20-year proven sales and marketing track record. Starting in field sales as Owl Visual’s youngest account manager ever, Shaun moved to Midwich in 1999 as AV Product Specialist. He rejoined Owl Visual in 2001 as General Manager and in 2004 was promoted to Sales Director. Shaun was instrumental in completing the MBO of Owl Visual in 2005. The company was re-branded as Owl Visual Systems in 2006, and was bought out by the Midwich Group in 2008. Shaun continued to run the Owl Visual Division as General Manager until he joined Sahara Presentation Systems in 2011 Shaun and his team have planned and implemented the campaigns that have seen Sahara’s turnover increase from £16 million in £2011 to £37M last year. Shaun is well regarded by end users, resellers, press and his industry peers. Recently, Shaun has assumed a creative product development role, championing new products and developing new categories of solutions.
Highly commended
Gemma Platt, Casio Computers
Karen Schackleton, Promethean
Outstanding Achievement in AV 2015
The Outstanding Achievement in AV Award recognises the product of a lifetime contribution to the development of the AV industry. The winner will hold, or will have held, a senior position within the industry for not less than five years, and will be a well known figure at the manufacturer, distributor or reseller level.
Winner
Ian Curtis. Promethean Head of Western Europe, Africa & ANZ
With a background steeped in AV and IT, Ian’s career in technology started at the University of Bristol, where he graduated with an honours degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Armed with a sound understanding of the theory behind the practice, Curtis went on to build a successful career in the AV/IT industry – including a number of roles at Hewlett Packard including four years as the Director of their UK and Ireland Software Business Unit. Curtis’ other roles at HP included Director of UK Marketing, Head of the UK Technology Financing Business unit, and various other sales and marketing leadership roles, of which several required him to be based in Cupertino, California where he worked for 3 years. Today, as Head of Western Europe, Africa & ANZ, Ian is responsible for managing operations and driving sales of Promethean’s innovative interactive technology solutions throughout these disparate regions.
COMPANY AND ORGANISATION AWARDS
AV Market Development Initiative of the Year 2015
Sponsored by RGB Communications
The AV Market Development Initiative of the Year category acknowledges success with end-user programmes that contribute to the development of new business opportunities for the AV industry. Examples of qualifying entries might include end-user marketing or education campaigns; end-user events; customer promotions; new technology applications and deployments and other market development initiatives by AV resellers and systems integrators.
Winner
Crestron 4K Market Initiative
Crestron has been leading the way with 4K development in the professional market throughout the year. 4K video content delivers stunning beauty and resolution but like most new technology, it brings with it its own set of challenges. Crestron pioneered the first true programme to help the market conquer the challenges of 4K video distribution. The first of these is the need for the enormous bandwidth (10 Gbit/s) required to deliver 4K video. This requirement places unprecedented demands on the AV infrastructure. To be successful in real world applications, 4K distribution systems must be designed and engineered to meet these challenges. Crestron DigitalMedia has conquered these challenges and established itself as the clear leader in 4K distribution. Crestron is also leading the way in 4K training for integrators. The company recognises that education is a key tool in growing the awareness of how to meet the challenges presented by 4K. Crestron 4K training is run across the globe the Crestron Technical Institute (CTI) has trained and certified tens of thousands of AV systems professionals − more than any other company or organization in the industry. The Crestron 4K Certification program is the first and only program of its kind in the industry.
Highly commended:
Simply Done, TD Maverick
Education Market Development Project, Panasonic Visual Solutions
AV Environmental Initiative of the Year 2015
Sponsored by Casio Projectors
The Environmental initiative of the Year recognises the role that companies and individuals from the AV industry play in reducing the environmental impact of AV technologies and lowering customers’ total cost of ownership. The winners will be required to demonstrate an environmentally sensitive approach to product manufacturing, distribution and disposal as well as energy savings achieved over the life of the product. Further considerations will include the environmental benefits enjoyed by users by applying the product or solution within their home or organisation.
Winner
Microsoft Campus, Seattle
This year’s category winner is drawn from InfoComm’s work on Smart Buildings. Anticipating these needs of building users depends on the building learning something about the users’ behaviour patterns of behaviour. For example, Mr A always arrives early at 6.30 am on Tuesdays and takes the elevators to the 12th floor to make a cup of coffee before making his way down to the 5th floor for the regular sales meeting with video communication to the overseas offices. Adding an RFID chip to Mr A’s identity card configures the buildings subsystems to prepare for his day in the office. For pioneers in this space we would expect to look to technology leaders, and it perhaps comes as no surprise that this year’s Award goes to the Microsoft Campus in Seattle. The campus is made up of 125 buildings housing 58,000 employees. Sensors gather 500 million data elements daily, or 4 million daily updates per building. As a result, less than half (48%) of faults on the campus are detected in less than 60 seconds and 10% energy savings have been achieved. Payback on Microsoft’s investment will be achieved in just 18 months.
AV Employer of the Year 2015
Sponsored by AV Jobs
The AV Employer of the Year Award recognises the role of audio visual technology companies in training and developing their staff, encouraging innovation and fostering an entrepreneurial culture. The judges will be looking for commitment to a structure approach to recruitment, appraisal and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This category is open to all levels of the industry including resellers, integrators, distributors and manufacturers or service providers.
Winner
Audio Visual Material Ltd
Audio Visual Material provides its employees with a workplace where they can learn and thrive, with generous benefits offered in return for their team’s commitment. There is a culture of empowerment, where employees are encouraged to take responsibility – a philosophy proven in independent studies to increase job satisfaction. The open communication style means that key information is cascaded – and input from employees sought through inclusive discussion. The result is a close knit team who support each other, with a core of long term staff. Their success has enabled the company to move to a prestigious new office environment and to negotiate a new distribution agreement with Sony. AVM offers generous benefits including: a profit share scheme; free life assurance; generous company car scheme; private medical insurance; high pension contributions; a cycle to work scheme; childcare vouchers; staff discount and more. AVM has a policy of taking on trainees with the aim of developing the skills and knowledge of young people. The company provides regular and continuous training for staff. A high percentage of staff have been employed for many years – some with up to 30 years’ service
AV Innovation of the Year 2015
Sponsored by Peerless-AV
The AV Innovation of the Year Award marks the development of new technologies that will have a significant effect on the AV industry going forwards, providing the basis for new products, solutions or applications. The Award can be made to companies recognised as currently active within the AV sector or those involved in the development of enabling technologies on which future AV solutions might be based.
Winner
Christie 3D laser illumination
Christie 3D laser illumination
3D has suffered primarily from low brightness. Christie has developed totally bespoke 3D technology with laser. The 6P system (six primary colours, 3 RGB in two projector heads) is not just the brightest and most light efficient – it’s 3D how it should be seen: at 14 FL with ghost-free images and no hotspots. The subject of its biggest R&D spend ever, the Christie is the first ever to receive US FDA LIP variance. 6P is totally ground-breaking and so effective because it works as a system: 1. The Laser is split at source into RGB colours through twin projector heads; 2. RGB colours from each are picked up through matching left/right lenses in special glasses, and 3. It uses a low-gain white screen for maximum reflection. Viewers see 3D at the correct brightness for an artefact-free, optimised viewing experience – delivered in a cost-effective manner for the exhibitor.
Highly commended:
Oblong Industries’ Mezzanine
Promethean ClassFlow
Vision Techconnect Matrix
AV Reseller / Integrator of the Year2015
Sponsored by BenQ UK
The AV Reseller / Integrator of the Year Award recognises excellence in the transaction of the vast majority of AV business – skilled specialists delivering the right product or solution for their customers’ needs, with purchase decisions based on appropriate advice, installed with a high degree of competence and supported with due consideration. The winner of this Award will be required to demonstrate effectiveness at each stage of the buying process, with evidence provided in the form of projects completed within the last 12 months.
Winner
CDEC
CDEC Ltd has been fulfilling the AV needs of both the corporate and public sectors since 2000, delivering excellence in customer service at every stage through close working relationships and strong communication. Its expert, passionate and flexible team continue to share best practice and drive innovation to achieve high end solutions. In 2014, hard work and dedication sees CDEC on target to turnover £13.5 million, with sales to date (end of November) totalling £13m, a staggering 65% increase for the same period last year working with 654 new customers. This is testimony to the commitment, drive and partnership work of the whole team. As Andrew Orr, Programme Manager, Capita says: “CDEC continue to prove themselves to be one of the UK’s leading value-added resellers in education displays, not only from their loyal vendor relationships, but also the company-wide passion showed in delivering and exceeding their customer’s expectations. VAR is an often over used description, however CDEC are one of a few resellers who genuinely add considerable value both pre and post-sale to the benefit of their customers and vendor partners.”
Highly commended:
Digital AV Group (Digital Message / Digitavia)
