Farmingdale, NY (January 15, 2008) — U.S. Pro Audio distributor, Group One Ltd., under the direction of President Jack Kelly is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement with UK-based digital console manufacturer DiGiCo to distribute its products within the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The agreement was signed January 14, 2008 and is retroactive beginning January 1, 2008.
“Looking back, the Group One decision seems so obvious but finding the right man with the drive, passion and motivation for an expanding brand in a growing market was not an easy find,” says DiGiCo Managing Director, James Gordon. “From the very first meeting it seemed clear Jack [Kelly] possessed the drive and the experience to make this work. After the second meeting, there was no doubting his passion for the industry and the potential for DiGiCo. From that point, it was just a question of timing. Starting at the beginning of 2008 represents a perfect sync point for the DiGiCo team to combine with Group One to carry us into the New Year. Avoiding the usual cliché adjectives, I am confident this is going to really work!”
“I’ve known Jack since 1980,” adds David Webster, Marketing Director. “I was working at Klark Teknik as a test engineer and he became part of the organization, handling their U.S. distribution. Even at that point, I noticed how many more boxes started going out of the door as soon as he became involved. It meant I had to work harder, but the rewards were certainly worth it.
“DiGiCo has developed a strong brand in the U.S.,” Webster continues. “Combining this, the established DiGiCo U.S. team, and the distribution know-how of Group One, gives us the ideal marriage to further strengthen our position and fully implement the extensive plans we have for the not too distant future. Jack has proved himself time and time again in the intervening years with high-end professional products and I’m very much looking forward to working with him again.”
"Working with James and Dave over the last few months,” sums Group One President, Jack Kelly, “I was committed to putting this agreement together the right way—for the long term and for the benefit of all of DiGiCo's current and future customers. I feel we have achieved that and I'm incredibly positive about our relationship and our prospects for continuing to build the DiGiCo brand in the United States. I look forward to working with Allan Nichols (Sales Manager), Taidus Vallandi (Technical Sales), and Amy Vallandi (Sales and Service Support)—all of who will join the Group One team. This group of DiGiCo employees is held in very high regard from the audio community for their dedication and knowledge and I am proud to have them become part of Group One."
Image Caption: New York Office
Seated L-R: Anne Marie Zicari - Dyanna Wunch - Sue Adamson
Standing L-R Jack Kelly - Kevin Markowitz - Norman Wright - John Sanchez - Vinny Finnegan
Image Caption LA Office
Taidus & Amy Vallandi

Image Caption Nashville Office
Allan Nichols

About DiGiCo
DiGiCo is a UK-based manufacturer of some of the world’s most popular, successful and ground-breaking digital mixing consoles for the live, theatre, broadcast and post production industries and is exclusively distributed in the U.S. by Group One Ltd. of Farmingdale, New York. Group One is also the exclusive U.S. distributor for Blue Sky International, Celestion Professional Products, MC2 Audio Ltd., XTA Electronics Ltd and a number of prominent lighting products.
About Group One Ltd.
Founded in 1994, Group One Ltd. is a U.S. importer and distributor for a number of professional audio and lighting manufacturers. The audio division of the company currently distributes Blue Sky near-field powered monitors, Celestion Guitar and P.A. loudspeakers, MC2 high quality innovative amplifiers, and XTA digital signal processing equipment for sound reinforcement applications. The Lighting division currently distributes Elektralite Controllers and Lighting Effects, and Pulsar Lighting.
Press Contacts:
Dave Webster
at DiGiCo
Tel: +44 1372 845600
Email: webby@digiconsoles.com
Web: www.digiconsoles.com
at Group One
Tel: +1516-249-1399
Email: info@gasolinemedia.com