Focusrite Group US has recruited Sound Designer, Brad Berridge, previously Director of Sound Operations for Feld Entertainment.
As the newly-appointed Market Development Manager, Berridge will bring his experience to the role to call on theatrical sound designers, venues, theatre production providers and audio engineers, whilst in the education space he’ll be calling on those that offer live sound as well as theatre degrees and training.
“I have been a very happy end user and part of the #MartinAudioFamily for the past eight years. I am familiar with a great deal of the Martin Audio portfolio and have extensive experience with Wavefront Precision, MLA and CDD,” he commented.
“I had been soliciting Dom Harter’s (Martin Audio MD advice since the fall of 2023, and after a few further conversations both with him and [VP Sales, North America] Lee Stein my feelings were that Martin Audio and the wider Focusrite Group was best aligned with my values,” he continued. “Since I have had much creative focus in the immersive space for the last few years, I see a challenge with how we talk about these systems to the industry. The technology is cool, and as an industry we have focused on that. But we also need to talk about it in a way that considers how it will be used and by whom.”
“I want to show the industry, as a whole, that deploying spatialized/immersive sound systems is what our audiences deserve. I will do this through helping to redefine how we engage end users, how they are demonstrated, and ultimately getting them in the hands of more people. The combination of Martin Audio and TiMax spatial audio solution makes for a compelling proposition,” Berridge added.
He noted his immediate priorities: “to better understand all brands that Focusrite Audio Reproduction division has to offer, which also includes Linea Research and Optimal Audio.”
Berridge added: “Having known everyone at Martin Audio I can see they truly live out the idea of #MartinAudioFamily and I’m excited to understand and extoll the virtues of their sister brands too.”
Berridge starts as of 1 June 2024 and will join the rest of the team for InfoComm 2024 in Las Vegas.
Stein added, “We’re at a really exciting juncture where the combination of brands working both individually and collectively offer significant benefits to users and we now need a focus on core verticals to develop that potential. Knowing Brad, he will bring energy, expertise and fun to the team while helping to establish a stronger position in theatre and educational establishments for our brands.”
