#338 - James Oliver - Exploring the Evolution of Entertainment Technology
James Oliver is a veteran strategist and executive in the professional audio and entertainment technology industries. Currently VP of Strategic Partnerships at ACT Entertainment, he leads the company’s new Professional Audio Division and drives growth for some of the most influential brands in live sound. Previously, he helped PK Sound achieve 600% growth and expanded Adamson Systems Engineering’s global reach. A Juno-nominated recording artist with The Strumbellas, James brings a rare perspective from both the stage and the boardroom, shaping how technology and artistry meet on the world’s biggest stages.
Ths episode is brought to you by RZI Lighting and ETC
Chapters
00:00 Hockey and Sports Rivalries
10:01 The Challenges of Being a Player in Toronto
13:02 The Evolution of the Audio Industry
17:16 From Musician to Audio Professional
20:12 The Adamson Experience
23:08 Transitioning to PK Sound
26:08 Building a Brand in Audio
31:07 The Role of Distribution in Audio
34:08 The Future of Audio Technology
36:57 Sales Strategies in the Modern Market
42:41 Navigating Sales Dynamics
45:06 The Role of People in Sales
48:09 Technology and Product Performance
50:19 The Evolution of Audio Technology
55:07 Global vs. Local Market Strategies
01:11:09 Collaborative Dynamics in the Industry
01:12:18 Global Expansion and Brand Integration
01:13:21 The Future of Professional Audio
01:15:22 AI's Role in Audio and Lighting
01:22:41 Mentorship and Career Growth
01:29:42 Navigating Industry Trends and Innovations
01:35:02 Embracing Change and Future Possibilities
01:41:49 Geezers Outro Video.mp4
VP Strategic Partnerships
Juno nominated recoding artist that found my way into the live sound manufacturing world.
Started my career at Adamson Systems engineering as a marketing manager and was promoted to Director of Marketing and Sales globally. Transformed the brand into a global player and one of five brands globally accepted in international riders.
Joined the ownership group with PK Sound and took on the roll of Chief Strategy Officer. Lead a repositioning and reimagining of the brand that propelled significant global partnerships with companies like ACT Entertainment, now their exclusive distributor to the NA market.
Joined ACT to build the live sound division, which now included Avid Live Sound product portfolio. ACT is quickly becoming recognized in three product categories including Lighting, Video, Sound and the infrastructure that connects them all together.
