New York, NY—Oct 10, 2007
Digital Cinema Veteran Larry Jacobson Joins Digeserv as President
Managing Director of Digital Entertainment Services, LLC. (“Digeserv”), Tom Davidson, announced today that Larry Jacobson will join the company as President at the end of October, 2007. Mr. Jacobson will be able to capitalize on his experience working with exhibitors, studios and suppliers as Digeserv begins rolling out its industry-neutral services to Digital Cinema.
Formed in 2006, Digeserv operates an electronic distribution digital network for the motion picture industry and its suppliers. The Digeserv platform of services delivers digital content for studios, exhibitors, alternative content providers, advertisers and other digital purveyors. In its core business, Digeserv offers a suite of services that enables theatres around the world to convert from analog 35 mm film projection systems to digital delivery at minimal cost with maximum efficiency.
Digital content includes motion pictures, pre-movie programming, alternative entertainment and advertising, all of which may be received by exhibitors through the Digeserv delivery network.
“Our moniker for Digeserv since its inception has been, “Making digital work for the cinema industry,” explains Mr. Davidson, “and I cannot envision a better, more qualified individual to lead our efforts than someone with the reputation, versatility and proficiency of Larry Jacobson. His vast system design creativity and knowledge of motion imaging and display on all levels is second to none and we are very fortunate to have him onboard.”
Mr. Jacobson most recently served as President of the Entertainment Division of QuVIS, Inc. in Topeka, KS. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Strong Digital, a division of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.
During his 35-year career, Larry Jacobson has demonstrated his high degree of competence in both film and digital exhibition environments. His expertise in design and construction of cutting-edge multiplex cinemas, beginning in the 1980’s, is unparalleled in the theatre business. As Senior VP of AMC Theatres, he was responsible for the design, construction, equipment specification, and fixturing of thousands of screens in complexes across North America. He holds patents on a number of innovations, both in the auditoriums themselves and in the projection booths.
In 1998, Mr. Jacobson received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement for his work on the Projection System Analyzer (PSA), the benchmark technology that has become the standard for measuring luminance and analyzing each component of a projection system. He was one of only four people in NATO history to be the recipient of the Medal of Honor for Outstanding Achievement on behalf of NATO and Exhibition. He has received numerous awards, including being recognized by the Eastman Kodak Company and Dolby Laboratories for his superior contributions to cinema exhibition.
He holds multiple college degrees in business and construction engineering and remains active in many organizations. He is a Past President of the Inter-Society, former Co-chair of the NATO Technical Committee, member of the Technical Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and the International Theatre Equipment Association., to name a few of his affiliations.
“Becoming an official part of Digeserv is a significant step,” according to Mr. Jacobson. “I’ve been involved in the development of this important new paradigm since its inception last year and consider it to be the most exhibitor-friendly model in the business. The pilot program we launched in May has proven to be very successful and, thanks to the enthusiasm and participation of the studios, theatres and audiences alike are enjoying the benefits of flawless digital presentation. Digeserv is well on its way to having thousands of screens onboard within the coming months as well as participation by independent and alternative content providers. Since I will always be an exhibitor at heart, I am proud to now be spearheading the theatres’ inauguration into this exciting era.”
For additional information about the Digeserv Digital Cinema Program, go to www.digeserv.com or contact T. M. Davidson at tdavidson@digeserv.com. Mailing address: 131 Doubling Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.
