“Quite often, the person building a facility doesn’t think about communications,” says John Sparrow of Clear-Com. “But if you put the comms in first, you can use them throughout the build. It’s absolutely crucial—when you’re running a show, you simply can’t do it without comms. You can have graphics, lights, sound… but you can’t run the show. I often call it critical communication. Any application in the live, theatre or broadcast markets that requires reliable communication needs comms. And when it’s there, it must be rock solid—very clear, long battery life, high quality and easy to use.”
John shared these insights during a Clear-Com roadshow in Johannesburg and Cape Town, hosted by DWR Distribution in August 2025. It was an ideal opportunity to introduce the Clear-Com team to the South African market and to hear some of their personal experiences in the industry.
This was not John’s first visit to South Africa. Earlier in his career, while working at Trilogy, he completed significant work for the SABC and several other broadcasters. When Clear-Com acquired Trilogy in 2016, Sparrow brought with him decades of expertise—now totalling 35 years in intercom. He attributes his long tenure to the diversity of the industry. “It’s the variety—broadcast, theatre, live events, even military and aerospace. Different people, different projects, but the same products applied in different ways,” he explains. “Clear-Com has a wide range of solutions, from basic Encore analogue beltpacks right through to the Arcadia platform with advanced IP technology and SMPTE connectivity. Arcadia keeps improving with every release, adding more capabilities. They’re great products, and Clear-Com is full of great people,” he adds with a grin.
(Above): Clear-Com’s John Sparrow and Samer Mouwanes with Nick Chapman from Showcom and DWR’s Kyle Robson
John was joined on the trip by colleague Samer Mouwanes, who has been with Clear-Com since 2012, following three years at Sony Broadcast. His passion for audio started early. “I used to save every bit of money—not even buying a sandwich—just so I could buy a cassette or LP,” he recalls. “I even borrowed my parents’ hi-fi system and started doing small gigs for friends in the neighbourhood. That’s how I got hooked on audio.”
Moving into intercom, however, was a revelation. “When I interviewed with Clear-Com in Vegas, I came from Sony mixers, video switchers and high-end cameras. I thought intercom would be a walk in the park,” Samer laughs. “But once they explained wired, wireless, IP, and how everything connects, it was even more complex than video in some areas. Twelve years later, I’m still learning. With new IP technologies, Dante, and ongoing innovation, you have to keep growing.”
Clear-Com’s reputation is firmly established worldwide. “It’s like saying Kleenex for tissues or Hoover for vacuum cleaners,” says Samer. “In many countries, even if it’s another brand, people still call it ‘Clear-Com’. We invented the intercom nearly 60 years ago. It began with two guys at a small gig who needed to talk over loud music. They created the beltpack, which is still in use today. The electronics are essentially the same—only the outer design has evolved. It still works, and we’re proud of that heritage.”
He adds with a smile, “It’s my first time in South Africa. I have to love my job to do it well. I need to feel positive about the environment—inside the company and outside.”
DWR Distribution was honoured to host the roadshow, giving our industry a chance to meet the people behind Clear-Com’s trusted technology—from their smart beltpacks and headsets to the solid cabling and connectivity solutions that bring confidence to every production.