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

Apr 15, 2021
March was a month of shopping in the U.S.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Vaccinations and stimulus checks are behind the news that retail sales took off, up nearly 10% in March. Plus, new U.S. sanctions for Russia target Moscow’s sovereign debt, what investors are lending to Russia. Also, hundreds of companies sign statements opposing “any discriminatory legislation” that would make it harder for people to vote in the U.S. And, why small business owners are having trouble filling open positions.
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Apr 15, 2021
That design style for tech companies you see everywhere
humaaans/Pablo Stanley
You know the one we’re talking about: sans-serif fonts, pastel palettes, long-limbed cartoon figures. Why is it so ubiquitous? And what is it hiding? Plus, expected new U.S. sanctions on Russia to respond to the massive hacking campaign attributed to Moscow, with digital intrusions into U.S. federal agencies. And, officials from Britain and the EU are set to meet and discuss the effects of Brexit on Northern Ireland.
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Apr 15, 2021
Let’s talk about the new Irish Sea trade border
Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Top officials from the U.K. and the European Union will discuss the effect Brexit is having on Northern Ireland, which has experienced trade bottlenecks and street protests. And, Taiwan shuts off irrigation to some farmers as it prioritizes its valuable semiconductor chip industry.
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Apr 14, 2021
New numbers on pandemic hardship
oonal via Getty Images
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute studied how much material hardship has increased during the pandemic and for whom. Also, what big banks’ earnings reports have to say about consumer behavior. Plus, stockpiles of grounded airplanes parked in various deserts for the time being with air travel down. And, 50 years ago this week, “pingpong diplomacy” gave way to more economic engagement between the U.S. and China.
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Apr 14, 2021
Coinbase set to hit the Nasdaq today
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images
The cryptocurrency exchange company will be the first major crypto business to go public in the U.S. Plus, the Ever Given cargo ship of Suez Canal fame is stuck again — but this time it’s being held by Egyptian officials over $900 million. And, big declines in enrollment for tribal community colleges during COVID.
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Apr 14, 2021
Europe’s goal for COVID recovery bonds? Nearly $1 trillion.
Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: The European Commission plans to raise money through bonds to fund its COVID recovery plan. Also, Egypt impounds the Ever Given container ship demanding compensation. Plus, India, often called the world’s pharmacy, plans fast-track approval for COVID vaccine imports. And, the Netherlands experiments with bringing cafe and bar patrons back indoors.
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Apr 13, 2021
The era of the COVID lawsuit
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
We start with news on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Federal health officials want a temporarily pause on giving it out. Plus, a former employee of the online retailer Wayfair sued the company, claiming he was fired because he needed to care for his kids during the pandemic. More cases like this are on the way, corporate lawyers say. Also, the latest reading of consumer prices shows they’re up, but let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. And, White House data on how it thinks each state would benefit from the American Jobs Plan infrastructure proposal.
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Apr 13, 2021
New EU tariffs on Chinese aluminum go into effect today
STR/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: European producers have complained that cheaper Chinese metal imports were putting them out of business. Could these provisional tariffs spark a tit-for-tat trade spat? Plus, we explore how Brexit may be fueling more conflict in Northern Ireland and how the U.S. could look to help ease tensions.
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Apr 13, 2021
A new all-time high for the budget deficit
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Economists say there’s nothing inherently wrong with the federal government spending more than it has, given its borrowing power and this pandemic emergency. But we do watch the size of the deficit. Plus, what to expect from big banks reporting their latest quarterly results this week. And, if you’re on the hunt for a new bike this spring, expect to pay more.
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Apr 12, 2021
Corporate America meets to talk about fighting voting laws
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
Nearly 100 CEOs and experts met on a videoconference over the weekend to discuss taking action over states and politicians that restrict voting access. Plus, prioritizing Latinx farmworkers for vaccines.
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