Brian Allison

Technical Director

Brian is a technical director with the media production team at Marketplace. His job is to make sure the shows get on the air and sound as good as they can.

Before coming to Marketplace in 2016, he was a freelance audio engineer with clients such as Nickelodeon, Disney and Los Lonely Boys. Prior to that, he worked as an engineer at Interscope Records in Los Angeles with artists such as Usher, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas and American Idol.

Brian graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2008 with a degree in music production and engineering.

Latest from Brian Allison

Jul 5, 2021
The latest global ransomware attack
Rob Engelaar/AFP via Getty Images
The hackers behind a massive, worldwide cyberattack have a new demand. Now they apparently want $70 million. Plus, those in commercial fishing fear that offshore wind farms pose an existential threat to their industry. And, another place where touchless technology and mobile transactions are taking hold: U.S. theme parks.
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Jul 5, 2021
UAE stands firm against proposals to ramp up oil production
AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Russia and Saudi Arabia want to increase crude oil production later this year, as many Western countries ease pandemic restrictions. But anything that could see prices fall will be difficult to negotiate with the United Arab Emirates. Plus, a ransomware cyberattack on U.S. company Kaseya is having an effect in Swedish stores and even some schools in New Zealand. And, China’s crackdown on Big Tech is gaining momentum.
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Jul 2, 2021
The economy gained 850,000 jobs in June
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
That’s better than expected. One economist says this is clear evidence that if there are problems in hiring, it’s because the economy is reopening so quickly, and bringing back millions of workers will take time. We also look at wage growth in the U.S. economy, where it’s concentrated and what it says about the state of the labor market. Also, AAA predicts a record number of Americans will travel by car this July Fourth weekend. Meanwhile, gas prices are expected to be at their highest levels since 2014. Plus, the bipartisan infrastructure deal could bring back a tax on toxic chemicals that expired in 1995. And, a roadmap from U.K. officials for how Britain plans to attract business in a post-Brexit world.
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Jul 2, 2021
Employers say they can’t fill jobs, but wages are still pretty stagnant
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Even though employers say they can’t find people available to work right now, there isn’t evidence of a widespread labor shortage, according to one economist we spoke to. We’ll explain. Plus, President Joe Biden’s plan for a global minimum corporate tax is one step closer reality. And, a plan for changing college admissions that one professor argues would help even the playing field: a lottery system.
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Jul 2, 2021
A global tax plan, but with compromises for China and India
STR/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: In order to get countries including China and India to agree to a global corporate tax rate of at least 15%, other nations had to agree to an exemption for manufacturing. Plus, with financial services firms moving some jobs out of London since Brexit, the U.K. government has unveiled its plan to make the industry more competitive. We hear from Nicola Watkinson at TheCityUK on what a successful post-Brexit strategy could look like.
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Jul 1, 2021
A couple of reasons for investors to feel confident
Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images
Those two indicators are weekly jobless claims and oil prices. Unemployment claims dropped again, and crude oil prices are north of $75 per barrel, the highest since 2018. Plus, a record financial penalty for online brokerage Robinhood. Plus, as the Chinese Communist Party turns 100, how the worker-employer relationship has changed in China over the years. And, why corporations must look internally as well as externally to address social inequity.
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Jul 1, 2021
A 4th of July without fireworks?
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Dry conditions and heat in parts of the West have raised the fire risk, so some cities are canceling fireworks celebrations. And even in places that are allowing shows, like with so much else these days, there’s a supply problem. Plus, an update on COVID vaccine passports from Europe. Also, a surge in tourism for national parks and what it means for local economies. And, our “Back to Business” series takes us today to Nebraska’s largest Black-owned business and how it’s handled the pandemic.
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Jul 1, 2021
U.K. plans for closer ties to U.S. on financial services
Tolga Akmen - WPA Pool/Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Britain’s finance minister Rishi Sunak says he wants to build on the $28 billion in financial services that the U.K. exports to the United States each year. We hear from Jonathan Hill, a former European Commissioner for Financial Stability who carried out a review for the British government on making the sector more competitive. Also, as China’s Communist Party turns 100, President Xi Jinping said his country’s economic and military renaissance has become irreversible. While the country has grown richer, its government has embraced private business, but with limits.
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Jun 30, 2021
Will Biden address antitrust concerns with an executive order?
Win McNamee/Getty Images
There are reports the White House could be readying a big push for more competition across the U.S. economy and limits on companies that wield a lot of power. And, a closer look at stock buybacks now that the Federal Reserve has lifted pandemic restrictions on banks that curtailed shareholder payouts.
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Jun 30, 2021
Turn that one-hour Zoom into 15 minutes of usefulness
Grady Reese/Getty Images
If hybrid and remote work persist as may be the case, Keith Ferrazzi has some ideas to make the meetings shorter, less frequent and much more productive. Plus, United Airlines’ massive plane order and what it says about the future of air travel. And, keeping an eye on rising oil prices and how OPEC may react in a meeting this week.
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