Meet the Team: Nick Baum

Join us in welcoming our new AV Manager, Nick Baum! Coming off a previous tenure at AVI-SPL, his more than 20 years of experience in live events, film, and digital integration makes him a vital addition to our team and process. We asked Nick about his vision for Next/Now— here’s what he had to say:

 

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is  Nick Baum, and I am the Manager of A/V and Support Services.

 

What’s your story?

After graduating from film school in 2006, I moved to Chicago and began my career in Professional A/V. I've spent most of my career working in the Commercial Integration and Live Event arenas, respectively. Working from the ground up in the industry, I have a wealth of knowledge on the subject of permanent and temporary A/V installations/deployments. Now, using my expertise and background, we are able to provide our customers with a one-stop shop for their design and implementation needs of the highest quality. 

 

What are you working on right now?

Currently, I'm working on the installation of a new LIDS store in Times Square, New York. This project has several LED wall components throughout and utilizes our proprietary audio licensing and streaming software along with our own CMS software. 

 

How do you envision your role shaping Next/Now’s growth into more permanent installations and office infrastructures?

Having a dedicated A/V team in-house will allow [Next/Now] to take our game to the next level. Not only can we provide the design and implementation of artistic and aesthetic elements of the project, but we can continue that idea right through with a professional installation. Combine that with our service department and SLA program we're able to walk with customers from beginning to end and beyond. Projects that previously needed three separate vendors, can now be one. 

 

What do you think sets Next/Now apart as a partner in the AV space?

What sets us apart is that we do it all. Even the top A/V integrators in the world don't usually like to deal with content creation. In my experience, they are more than happy to pass that on to someone else, like a Marketing Agency. What makes us unique is that we will handle all of that. We will walk right beside you from the beginning design phases and the overall look of the project, all the way through the physical installation onsite. One team, all the way through! 

 

How does working in experiential differ from AV projects you've tackled in the past?

I think the biggest difference is how often experiential projects change from project to project. My background is very much boardrooms and corporate offices etc. Many designs and projects are very similar across the board. Experiential projects, as you can imagine, are always trying to be unique and different to draw you in and incite a certain reaction. Also, these projects seem to be more of a temporary install rather than a permanent one like that of a conference room for example. My experience in the Live Event world is extremely beneficial in these types of projects. 

 

Do you think design can change the world? How?

100%. Design is how we make things look, feel, and work to help people and solve problems. It can change the world by making life easier, like creating comfy chairs, fun toys, or apps that are simple to use. It helps protect the planet by inventing things like reusable water bottles or buildings that save energy. Design can teach us important lessons through posters or videos and make cities better places to live with cool parks and safe streets. It also brings new ideas, helps people work together, and keeps traditions alive. By making things better for everyone, design helps build a happier and healthier world!