Wednesday, June 30, 1999
Sony Pictures Entertainment�s Digital Studios Division Announces Promotions in Digital Post Production Facilities and Advanced Digital Systems Group
Yesterday, June 29, 1999, Michael J. Kohut, President of Sony Pictures Digital Post Production Facilities and Advanced Digital Systems Group, announced several key promotions as part of the ongoing modernization of Sony Pictures Entertainment�s (SPE) post production and research and development operations. Among the key promotions are three individuals who exemplify innovation and professionalism.
Richard Branca has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sound, Video, and Projection in Digital Post Production Facilities, Tom McCarthy has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Theatrical & Television Sound Editorial. In Advanced Digital Systems Group, James Mercs has been promoted to Senior Vice President. The three men will continue to report to Mr. Kohut.
As Kohut explains, �All of these highly skilled individuals continuously push the envelope to establish Sony Pictures as the most progressive and innovative post production and R&D facility in the industry.� On the strategy of the promotions, Kohut explains, �We are continually improving our efficiency and effectiveness with our ongoing conversion to a fully digital platform and these promotions enable us to step up our efforts to achieve these objectives.�
Sharing backgrounds of important credentials and achievements, Branca, McCarthy, and Mercs will play important parts in SPE�s future. Branca joined Sony as Director of Sound, Video, and Projection in 1990 and has held past positions in post production at MGM, Lorimar, MGM/UA, and Warner Bros. McCarthy joined the Sony team in 1991 as Supervisor of Motion Picture Sound Editorial and was later promoted to Director, and Vice President, Theatrical and TV Sound Editorial in 1995. Among McCarthy�s achievements is the 1993 Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing for Columbia Pictures� Bram Stoker�s Dracula. Named Vice President of SPE�s Advanced Digital Systems Group in 1994, Mercs led the development team on the Sony DADR-5000, and previously served as Vice President of Digital F/X where he oversaw development of digital audio workstations.
For more information, contact Sony SPE at (310) 244-5789 and visit them on the Web at
www.sony.com
.