Profession:
Northern & Eastern Europe Sales Manager, Zero 88.

Date & place of birth:
March 8 1968; Versmold, Germany.

Your first job after full-time education?
I was a musician at first and made my first album at age 18 with a heavy metal band called SDI, with whom I played nearly everywhere in Germany, Austria and also a huge festival in the Czech Republic.

    At the same time I started my own sound and lighting production rental company. The money I made from the band went straight into buying new equipment for the company. It grew very quickly in a short time — it was a great ‘from scratch’ learning experience that ended up being a 24/7 job. 

This must have been a lot of responsbility for one so young — what made you leave?
I sold the company. The German military wouldn’t let me do what I wanted. They insisted that I use my talents in a “more constructive way”! Rather than allowing me to develop my healthy young company providing me and others with work, and with the potential to grow, they insisted on my presence. So instead of serving in the active military, I chose to do 20 months of community service which allowed me some free time to continue working as a freelance sound and lighting operator. This allowed me to keep developing my career. 

Somewhere down the line, you settled on lighting — how did that happen?
I experienced the world of moving lights and I realised that lighting allowed me to be creative without damaging my ears. Lighting also seemed to offer more career possibilities. From being a technician, I moved into sales at LMP — the distributor for Zero 88, High End Systems and now Robe. This gave me access to all kinds of toys and taught me how to sell. 

How did you end up working with Zero 88?
Graham Eales [MD at Zero 88] was the big motivating factor for me leaving LMP in Germany. It was a fantastic challenge to start with Zero 88 and focus on one brand. It also meant I had more options in working in Europe rather than only Germany. Not forgetting the joy of travelling to wet Wales on a monthly basis!

If you could choose only one trade show to attend annually, which would it be?
ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt. Not only does it attract everyone in the German market, it also has the best international visitor attendance.

Which do you prefer, trade shows or dealer open days?
Open days or road shows with product workshops are more effective for me. You get much closer to the customers and users to gain feedback on products. Most trade shows don’t offer that personal experience. That said, I think I am unique in actually loving trade shows. Meeting new customers, showing new products... it all creates a huge buzz for me.

What have been the major highlights of your career?
The first studio recordings as a guitarist in my metal band. Seeing the first royalty cheque from that album — I still see it for sale on the Internet. Starting with Zero 88 in 2001 has proved with hindsight to be a highlight. The Zero 88 team and customers are fantastic, and working with products I love and trust makes each day a pleasure.

What occupies your free time?
Off-road trekking and mountain biking, inline skating, cooking and spending time with family and friends.    

Your ‘Desert Island Disc’?
Nickelback — All The Right Reasons.

What was the first gig you attended?
Rockpop In Concert — The Heavy Metal at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions and Ozzy Osbourne. I still have the original ticket. Great time, no sound limits, no mobile phones, no internet. No job!

What would be your advice to a teenage Franck Tiesing?
Whatever you do, do it with passion. If sound and lighting fascinate you, go for it. If not, study law. You will always find people who do not like each other and need a lawyer.