Liège—Dec 20, 2007
XDC Boosts Development By Raising Additional Funds and Enhancing its Management Structure
Implementing a series of complementary and integrated financial and personnel measures XDC’s Board of Directors is setting the accent for European Digital Cinema integration to move ahead in 2008.
Last week XDC’s Board of Directors granted authority to expand its capital and completed raising an additional EUR 7.5 million. Backed by its existing shareholders, XDC will allocate this funding for its further expansion as market leader for Digital Cinema (DC) Services across Europe. In order to face large-scale DC roll out plans, XDC is in the final stages of negotiations related to the co-financing of DC deployment by film distributors through dedicated Virtual Print Fee (VPF) agreements.
To enhance its management structure, the Board of Directors has appointed Serge Plasch as new Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2008. He will replace Laurent Minguet, founder and CEO of XDC. Laurent will step down from his daily executive functions at XDC, but remain a Board Member of XDC International. The Board is extraordinary grateful for the vision and entrepreneurial élan with which he led XDC to the forefront of the European Digital Cinema field.
Serge Plasch has been Managing Director of Screenvision Benelux since 2001 where he reinforced and anchored the leadership of this major advertising sales company for the Cinema Industry. Speaking English, French, Dutch, and German fluently, he will greatly strengthen XDC’s position in the large and fragmented European Cinema market. Enthusiastic about this new opportunity, the new Managing Director & CEO says: “After years of talks and trials, wide spread Digital Cinema deployment is underway. All market players are convinced that Cinema will be digitized to the great benefit of the audience, and, with a viable business model, the industry can remain the pre-eminent channel for the distribution and exhibition of filmed, and increasingly in the future, large-screen, live entertainment.. XDC has proven its skills to operate DC screens through a full range of services and network technologies. XDC has the premier DC Content lab in Europe and has built the largest early-stage DC network, (exceeding 300 systems), for leading cinema groups. I am also very pleased to work closely with a very motivated team and, in particular, with Bernard Collard, General Manager of XDC.”
Last but not least, as of 1 January 2008, XDC's Board of Directors is appointing John B. Birchell Hughes as their Special Advisor and inviting him to become a Member of XDC's Management Board. XDC's Board of Directors is very pleased to recognize John’ invaluable contribution as Senior Vice President in building relationships in the production and distribution communities. His tireless work has led to dozens of digital movies being enjoyed by audiences all over Europe.
