Buena Park, CA (April 2, 2015)—In a bold move, Yamaha Corporation of America is consolidating its Live Sound Department, Steinberg North America and Commercial Audio Units into a newly formed Professional Audio division. Founded with the aim of creating a unified presence within the live sound, recording and sound installation markets, the new division will be led by 27-year Yamaha veteran, Alan Macpherson.
Yamaha’s various pro audio entities have introduced numerous high-profile products in recent times, such as the CL and QL live sound consoles and upcoming flagship PM10 Rivage desk, and Steinberg’s Cubase Pro 8 and Artist 8 DAWs. Furthering their presence in the pro audio marketplace, the new Yamaha Professional Audio division will handle these and all other Yamaha commercial audio products currently marketed by Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems (YCAS).
The new division will oversee all Yamaha live sound products, Nexo speaker products, the Yamaha Nuage post-production system, Steinberg software and hardware products, and Yamaha’s new commercial installed sound products. Yamaha’s service offerings for dealers and customers will continue unchanged, as will the current distribution strategy. The division will also continue to serve commercial audio markets in Canada as well as the U.S.
YCAS will be merged into YCA and Larry Italia, another Yamaha veteran who most recently has served as vice president/general manager of YCAS, will be leaving Yamaha. “We wish to acknowledge Larry’s years of loyal and valuable service to the company,” said Hitoshi Fukutome, president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “Larry has made significant contributions and helped Yamaha achieve many milestones during his tenure. We wish him the very best in the future.”
Tapped to lead the new Yamaha Pro Audio division, Alan Macpherson is currently general manager of its Pro Audio and Combo division, and previously led Steinberg recording products in the U.S. He began his career at Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. in 1987. In 1999, he was promoted to national sales and marketing manager of the Pro Music and Audio Division and, in 2001, was named marketing manager, Combo and Music Production Division. His responsibilities were further broadened in 2006, when he was named manager of the Corporate Planning and Communications department at Yamaha Canada. He became director of Steinberg North America at YCA in 2008. Macpherson will report directly to Tom Sumner, senior vice president of YCA.
YCA will rename its current Pro Audio and Combo division the Pro Music division. The new Pro Music division will now focus on marketing Yamaha guitars, amps, acoustic and electronic drums and music production products. John Shalhoup, who has a 16-year Yamaha career, will lead the new Pro Music division. He currently is the company’s chief marketing director, guiding company-wide branding and marketing strategy. Shalhoup will report directly to Rick Young, senior vice president of YCA.
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