Behind-the-Scenes Insight: d&b's James Gallagher-Powell Profiled
In October 2021, d&b, a renowned player in the professional audio industry, welcomed a new addition to its leadership team. The new Chief Strategy Officer, originally from London, England, brings a wealth of experience in strategy and M&A, having worked at PwC and CSM Sport and Entertainment before joining d&b.
This year, d&b has made significant strides in its product offerings. The company has launched the CCL System, a compact cardioid line array, and introduced new, scalable I/O variants for the DS100/DS100M signal engine. Moreover, d&b Soundscape is being expanded to cater to the growing importance of spatial audio.
The new chief strategy officer resides in South-East London and also spends a significant amount of time in Backnang, Germany. Passionate about sports, they enjoy playing tennis, golf, and skiing. Outside of work, they also support Crystal Palace, a football club based in London.
In an interview, the executive emphasised the importance of being genuinely customer-focused and customer-centric in leadership. They also highlighted the increasing consolidation of larger partners in the industry, many of whom now operate across multiple continents.
Recognising the growing importance of sustainability in the industry, d&b has a dedicated sustainability department and several initiatives in place. A recent initiative is En-Space Custom Rooms, a new customization service launched this year.
Looking ahead, the chief strategy officer predicts the widespread adoption of cloud-based solutions and AI integration in the AV industry over the next decade. The live events industry, with its unique challenges such as fragmented regulations, regional differences, and increasing expectations for sustainable practices from various stakeholders, is expected to benefit significantly from these advancements.
The autonomous cars market is projected to grow significantly, driven by factors such as fleet adoption, 5G technology, robotaxis, and government safety mandates. However, the focus of the interview did not delve into the interviewee's views on the AV industry specifically.
The interviewee advises aspiring professionals in the pro AV industry to stay curious, get practical, hands-on experience, and be present to build a successful career. Their words resonate with the ever-evolving landscape of the professional audio industry, where innovation and customer focus are key to success.
- The executive, passionate about entertainment, is excited about the growing importance of spatial audio in music and sports events, something they believe will be further enhanced with the expansion of d&b Soundscape technology.
- In the coming decade, the audio visual (AV) industry is expected to see a widespread adoption of cloud-based solutions and AI integration, facilitating the scaling of large partners and catering to the increasing demands of live events, such as enhanced sustainability practices and regional diversity.
- Outside the realm of professional audio, the new Chief Strategy Officer maintains an interest in various sports, utilizing their down-time in London to play tennis, golf, and skiing.
