Making Waves (AV Magazine)

Making Waves, Episode 25 - AV Apprentice of The Year

Much progress has been made in opening new pathways into AV through apprenticeships – for eg, studying for the AV Technician Level 5 Apprenticeship (launched in Autumn 2022) at Middlesborough College.

To find out how everything’s going, we thought we’d talk to Max Tait who is currently our AV Apprentice of The Year. He’s been with AVI-SPL, UK + Ireland for nearly four years.

Also with Clive Couldwell and Max in the studio – which this week comes from The Rose Shure Experience Centre in London – is Neil Spackman, Regional Service Director – International for AVI-SPL.

Neil set up the work experience programme at AVI-SPL, and then expanded it out to become an apprenticeship programme. He’s also a mentor for work placements and apprentices.

Max was in the first batch of work placements and the company’s first apprentice.

Making Waves, Episode 24 - What's the point of AI?

Recorded at the recent Midwich Tech Xpo show, a special panel of AV and digital signage experts debate with Clive Couldwell about how artificial intelligence is transforming the AV industry.

Guests include: Jon Sidwick, Co-Founder/Owner, Blue Touch Paper (BTP); Jason Cremins, Chief Product Officer, Navori Labs (formerly Founder + CEO, Signagelive); Dan Root, Global Vice-President of Sales + Partnerships, NetSpeek; and Nick Fagan, Head of Innovation at DRPG.

They explore AI’s role in making room control more flexible, powering audience-aware digital signage, and driving creative content that adapts in realtime. They also discuss the channel’s shift from selling hardware-led CapEx solutions to data-driven, service-based OpEx models, and the emergence of AI agents for everything from scheduling to on-site support.

Making Waves, Episode 23 – Clive Couldwell, AV Magazine + Electronics Weekly

All Things TechIE podcast’s Justin Dawson takes some time out to talk about the other Clive Couldwell – his colourful life before AV Magazine, as well as the audio visual media itself.

You’ll be surprised what this lively session exposes, including the origin of ‘Clive the bear’.

Well, that’s what Clive said anyway…

Making Waves, Episode 22 - David Berman

After a number of years, our celebrated Head of Multimedia – Mr David Berman – is leaving us for pastures new.

David has built the multimedia team up here from scratch, providing services to virtually every brand in Emap - across video, podcast, animation, and photography.

As a video journalist, he’s interviewed many of our top brands, and even stepped in to host conference sessions when we’ve needed chairs.

Here he's talking to Clive Couldwell about his time at Emap, the evolution of multimedia, plus the projects and moments that have defined his career.

Making Waves, Episode 21 - Byron Tarry

Artificial Intelligence. It’s coming and we need to do something about it…. Apparently. But what? Really, just what has AI got to do with AV?

Well, let us introduce you to Byron Tarry - the former CEO of the GPA who left the organisation in late 2024, after nearly 7 years at the helm – and who can more than cast some light on the subject.

He's talking to Clive Couldwell.

Making Waves, Episode 20 - Greg Jeffreys

When we were talking with Mel Leach the other week, it became obvious that communicating through video conferencing media, say, can be a positive, but it can also act as a lens back on to us.

It made us think about the whole environment our tech now fits into, where and how the User Experience (or UX) fits into the grand plan - how can good design make sure people use AV tech effectively?

User experience is not just about designing interfaces though. It touches on all aspects of designing spaces or systems, and incorporates elements of both research and design.

No better person to discuss all this with then, than Greg Jeffreys, chair of AVIXA’s Standards Steering Committee - now a consultant and AV Awards judge - who’s here to explore UX and its relevance to the AV world.

Making Waves, Episode 19 (Part 4) – Keith Dutch

David Allen and David Berman talk to Keith Dutch, Managing Director/Vice-President of Peerless-AV EMEA who gives us some insight into the company’s recent Showcase, its importance and future plans.

Making Waves, Episode 19 (Part 3) – Sanjit Hurst, Hanieh Motamedian, Sadie Groom, and Carla Maroussas

It’s all things Rise AV with Sanjit Hurst, Director of Global Procurement at Diversified and her mentee, Hanieh Motamedian, Pure Audio Visual’s Business Development pro. They are joined by Rise AV’s CEO, Sadie Groom and the Head of its Mentoring programme, Carla Maroussas.

Making Waves, Episode 19 (Part 2) – Steve Hudson, Siya Fakher, Neil Fluester and Tanya Houston

In this episode we talk about leadership and how having a strong team can get you through anything with Steve Hudson, Owner/Director of Project Audio Visual and AVITdirect.

Steve’s joined by AVoIPoE evangelist, Siya Fakher, Managing Director of Broadtek, and Neil Fluester one of the industry's best content creators and marketing leaders for a chat about sustainability.

Tanya Houston, CEO and Founder of Wildwood PLUS & Co-Lead for the AVIXA Women’s Council UK also joins us for our discussion about navigating uncertainty in business.

Making Waves, Episode 19 (Part 1) – Adam Harvey, Adele Thornton

AV solution architect for AV and Digital Media at the University of Hertfordshire, and Co-Chair of LTSMG (Learning and Teaching Space Managers Group), Adam Harvey, and Adele Thornton, Korbyt’s EMEA Channel Sales Lead discuss the state of the AV market with David Allen and David Berman.