2015, my first year at Power Gems – Dan Basso, Vice President US Sales
Newcomer to Power Gems, Dan Basso has been in the film and TV industry since 2003, but 2015 was his first full year as Vice President of US Sales. Here’s his look at 2015.
Dan Basso, Vice President US Sales at Power Gems
Opening a new facility in Atlanta, touring the East Coast of America, showcasing at Cinegear; 2015 has had a little of everything. Tying it all together, my personal challenge; adapting to product sales from a background in lighting, grip and studio rentals on the operations side. My sales experience exposure comes from feature, television and commercial production relationships. Previous positions include Vice President of Sales at Hollywood Rentals, General Manager of Paskal Miami and Head of Northeast Lighting and Grip Operations for Paramount Pictures.
Joining Power Gems meant a shift in mind set from short- or long-term rental, to applying my industry knowledge to products that customers can see, touch and operate. There’s a big difference, which I noticed at my first trade show with Power Gems, at Cine Gear in June at Paramount Studios. I enjoyed showing visitors to the Power Gems booth, exactly how our range of ballasts could meet their needs. There’s great joy in watching a new addition to the range – such as the EB1812P modular design 6/9/12/18kW ballast with high speed shooting at 1,000Hz – being appreciated for the first time.
With specific responsibility for supporting Power Gems customers in the Midwest, North East and the Southern States, I spent much of 2015 out on the road. Trips to New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago and Seattle quickly established what works for you and where Power Gems can adapt and develop new products.
Greatest satisfaction during 2015 came from the opening of the Power Gems facility in Atlanta in January. In a former life, I had responsibility for setting up two offices in Atlanta, so you’d think it would be no big deal, but it was exactly the opposite. Power Gems has a global reach but is relatively small, owned by Phil Ellams and Patrick McGuane, and we all had a huge amount vested in the new venture. We continue to work hard to make a success of sales and repairs to the South.
As for the future?
Our horizons are fixed firmly on growing, including in North America. In 2015, Power Gems opened its doors in Atlanta, hooked up with 4 Wall in New York, while in Hollywood we saw the increase in film incentives in California boosting confidence in the market. The team continues to grow, including the appointment of Dean Gunapala to our technical team based in the LA office headed by Carlos Perez.
Finally, I would like to thank Phil and Patrick, for their support and patience. Chip Harley and I are based in the Power Gems Los Angeles facility in Van Nuys, but not a day goes by without speaking to our colleagues at Power Gems headquarters in Manchester, UK. We all share a vision of where we want the business to be in five, ten or twenty years’ time. And it all starts with 2016.
