INNOVATOR PROFILES
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JOHN SPARROW Job title Senior systems consultant (EMEA) Company Clear-Com
How did you get into AV? I started after leaving sixth form at school as an apprentice, learning electronics and engineering at Plessey telecommunications in Ilford, UK. While not directly linked to the AV industry as we know it today, the training gave me a good grounding in electronics, and I worked on a military radio project called Ptarmigan. I guess this helps now with my role at Clear-Com, which deals with any EMEA project that needs mission-critical communications. What are you currently working on? My role involves supporting the EMEA sales team with anything pre-sales, so I’m working on multiple opportunities – none of which I can discuss! In the past months, I’ve worked on potential wired and wireless communications system proposals for live entertainment venues, ships comms, stadium projects and even going back to my roots: military radio interfacing! Earlier this year, we provided Arcadia (our latest award-winning central station) to MJ: The Musical and Starlight Express , two very big and complex theatre productions that opened in London. We worked alongside the AV installers to ensure both projects met the customer’s needs, not only in terms of show calling but also regarding safety aspects of both shows. Favourite project? This year, I was heavily involved with a project to supply both wired and wireless communications to one of the top TV stadiums in Portugal. Starting with a site visit – which included an in-depth discussion with the potential users and a tour of the stadium to understand the requirements – we then went back to conduct a proof of concept. This turned out to be a highly competitive situation against other major communications providers. Working with our Cambridge-based applications engineering team, we were able to prove the Freespeak II Wireless would meet the complex requirements of the venue, allowing coverage where specified from just two of our IP antennae. These Dect-based beltpacks worked alongside our Agent IC virtual panel application, which runs seamlessly on the customer’s extensive Wi-Fi system. The customer used the demo kit during a live match – testing its capabilities – and then proceeded to purchase a system after going through a competitive tender response. I then had the pleasure of going back and conducting the site commissioning and training, completing the cycle.
What does the future hold for the AV industry? In the past, AV was almost a stand- alone market. Now, it’s merging with more broadcast-based suppliers to gain a wider range of products and solutions, allowing it to have a larger appeal to customers. Being able to connect AV sites easily, for example, over standard internet without using IT specialists is just one area where a company like Clear-Com can help – providing its new Gen-IC cloud-hosted virtual intercom system. What advice would you give to someone starting a career in AV tech? Look at organisations like Production Futures and Rise Academy in the UK – they work with young people helping them to get an early introduction to the technology we use in our industry. Production Futures in particular creates opportunities for young people to learn, train, network and develop careers across multiple industries. Rise Academy takes industry professionals into schools and UTCs to provide the students with hands-on experience from an early age. And never say no to an opportunity to have a go at something, even if it is only vaguely related to AV and the industry – you never know where it may lead. Never say no to an opportunity to have a go at something, even if it is only vaguely related to AV – you never know where it may lead”
What’s great about AV is that you get to work in a dynamic environment with interesting people who come up with new challenges”
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