London—Aug 23, 2006
Industry Expert Patrick Von Sychowski Joins Deluxe Laboratories
Appointment reinforces Deluxe's expansion into European digital cinema market
Industry expert Patrick von Sychowski has joined Deluxe Laboratories in the role of Director of Digital Business Development, as the company strengthens its intent to support and drive the digital cinema market in Europe. Deluxe Laboratories has been a driving force in supporting the Hollywood studios' digital cinema releases and assisting digitally equipped cinema operators across North America and will now be extending its service offerings in the European market as well.
Patrick von Sychowski was previously Director of Business Development at Unique Digital Ltd, the pan-European digital screen advertising solutions pioneer. At Unique Digital Ltd. he grew the company's customer and installation base, as well as creating the company's digital cinema strategy that saw it launch Europe's largest digital cinema field trial. Previous to this Patrick was a Senior Analyst at media research company Screen Digest, where he specialised in Digital Cinema and emerging technologies, as well as writing and publishing the widely read E-Cinema Alert newsletter.
“Patrick von Sychowski has an unrivalled standing and respect in the digital cinema industry,” said Ken Biggins, CEO of Deluxe Laboratories Europe, “and we look forward to tapping into his expertise as we grow and expand our business to meet the digital demands of our customers.”
Deluxe already enabled the first major Hollywood release in Europe of a title using JPEG2000 compression as specified by DCI when it distributed 20th Century Fox's animated blockbuster “Ice Age 2” to Nordisk Film's digital cinemas in Denmark in April. Deluxe is today the global leader in DCI-compliant digital cinema services, that include mastering Digital Cinema Packages, distribution (both duplication & delivery), and key management for both features and trailers, including 26 digital feature presentations as of July this year. Deluxe has done digital cinema work with 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Disney, Universal, Paramount, amongst others, including both 4K digital feature packages (Da Vinci Code, RV) and digital 3-D features (Monster House). Deluxe is now expanding internationally to service clients on a global basis, having already provided internationalized versions in Danish, Japanese, Spanish and Korean.
“It is a privilege and a thrill to be joining a great company like Deluxe,” commented Patrick von Sychowski. “No one is better positioned to make digital cinema a reality and a well functioning business in the US and world-wide.” Patrick von Sychowski will be based in Deluxe's recently opened Deluxe Digital Cinema office in central London, which is integrated with Capital FX and EFILM London. Among von Sychowski's responsibilities will be to complete the creation of Deluxe Digital Cinema's London office, to liaise with distribution clients and exhibitor contacts with regards to digital releases, to create new business opportunities and form strategic alliances, as well as representing Deluxe in various European and international digital cinema-related organisations and activities.
“Deluxe Digital Cinema has been working behind the scenes for several years to make digital cinema a practical reality for distributors and exhibitors,” noted Steve Bergman, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Deluxe Digital Media. “As we continue this process in Europe and beyond we are delighted to welcome Patrick on board.”
Patrick will represent Deluxe at the IBC conference in Amsterdam on 11 September.