In the news: CX Mag feature CMG Audio Visual in new technical event company profile
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE LATEST EDITION OF CX MAG AUSTRALIA: READ MORE ABOUT ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST AV START UPS
Based in Chatswood, Sydney, CX Magazine has been an active voice in the Technology and Live Performance industry since 1990. Founder Julius Grafton and the wider CX Network has become an authority on all things audio visual, performance, theatre, broadcast, installation, technology and event management, consistently delivering relevant and timely updates to the broader live entertainment sector.
Not limited to print media, CX also operate numerous news and interest websites as well as Australia-wide trade shows to further facilitate the uptake of new technology and relationships within the ever changing industry.
In early February, CX Magazine took a trip down the sunny south coast to Wollongong to visit CMG Audio Visual's new office and warehouse space to learn more about regional NSW's newest AV start-up. Read the article below…
"Most production firms grow organically from a single operator with a plan. CMG AV in Wollongong burst onto the scene fully equipped and staffed mid 2015. CX drove down the coast to find out more.
General Manager and Technical Director Tobi Pinazza gave us the rundown, after we looked over the modern warehouse and office in North Wollongong.
“It’s about presentation and quality of the gear. Our brand ideology is design focused, like ‘how can we make the gig technically excellent?’”, he said.
To this end they have sunk considerable capital into equipment, flagship audio is the first Meyer Leopard line array in Australia. “It’s deceptively small sized and deceptively big in volume – like 100db at FOH 60m back!”
They have a fleet of Clay Paky Mythos which leads the lighting inventory. Midas Pro 3 heads the audio mixing component. Barco RLM W8 does the high-end video work. Brightly themed trucks and vans deliver the goods. It all looks and smells new, which is exciting.
CMG AV has five partners, led by Managing Director Aaron Taylor. They all have skin in the game, but crucially they have the deep industry experience and local contacts required to get a start-up running fast. Tobi and some of the team worked in other local production suppliers and after attempting to buy an existing company took the hard decision to strike out on their own.
Several key appointments were made. “Conversations led to hiring John (John Harman, Key Account Manager & Audio Engineer) and Rory (Rory McDonald, Project Coordinator). John is an audio guy from way back, having done plenty of festivals and award-winning designs at the NSW Art Gallery. Rory came from Staging Connections, Sydney - they have massive face to face experience”, Tobi explained.
“What led to this project is the maturing of the market and the chance to educate them about things that can be delivered beyond the bare minimum. We say, don’t [simply] do the same as last year or last show”.
“Look at Vivid as a good example, it’s just an hour away. People see it and ask us what can we do. So we can show them [Clay Paky] Mythos!”
“In the corporate market the conversations have been about more versatile use of spaces, with brighter projection or larger format panels. We could see a greater level of investment was required . After all we have venues with amazing outlooks down here, and ocean views.”
“I’m at pains to say nothing wrong is with the (existing) local production suppliers. We’re about better outcomes – we need to accelerate the growth of the events, accelerate fundraising if the client is a charity. So we say ‘don’t regurgitate last year, definitely try to change.’”
“The majority of conversations that are underway are about consolidating relationships with venues, making long term plans with key promoters and event holders.”
Is sinking all that money and effort terrifying, we ask?
“Absolutely!” says Tobi. It’s exhilarating, with challenges, and definitely terrifying!”
Where are the clients coming from?
“In large part from personal relationships.”
“There is value in being seen to be across the latest technology”.
Read the full article here.
For more information or to get an obligation-free AV hire quote for your next event or live show, contact our expert team on 1300 814 568 or email events@cmgav.com.au.