More consumer awareness & promotion for DVD..................
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 1997--Executives of the home
video units of prominent film studios and music labels along with
consumer electronics manufacturers joined forces Wednesday to form the
DVD Video Group, a new organization that will promote the benefits of
DVD technology to consumers, the media and the retail trade.
The DVD Video Group is the result of a significant commitment by the
DVD hardware and software firms that are currently marketing DVD
Video products in today's marketplace. Organization of the group was
announced Wednesday at the start of the Video Software Dealers
Association's (VSDA) annual home video entertainment convention and
exposition.
The mission of the group is to establish a single, consistent voice
to communicate the many benefits of the DVD Video experience. These
include: superior picture and sound; player compatibility with
existing audio CDs; exceptional durability and special features such
as "behind the scenes" commentary and multiple camera angle options
for the viewer.
Founding members of the DVD Video Group include Columbia TriStar
Home Video, Image Entertainment, LIVE Entertainment, MGM/UA Home
Video Inc., Panasonic Consumer Electronics, Philips Consumer
Electronics Co., Pioneer Electronics (USA), PolyGram Video,
Samsung Electronics America Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., Sony
Wonder/Sony Music Entertainment, Thomson Consumer Electronics,
Toshiba America Consumer Products, Warner Home Video, Warner Music
Group, and Zenith Electronics Corp.
The following officers were elected by DVD Video Group members at a
special session on July 8: Emiel Petrone, Philips Consumer
Electronics Co., chairman; David Bishop, MGM/UA Home Video Inc.,
president; David Garber, LIVE Entertainment Inc., vice president;
Steve Nickerson, Toshiba America Consumer Products Inc., vice
president; John Powers, Warner Home Video, secretary; Michael Fidler,
Sony Electronics Inc., chief financial officer; and board members
Paul Culberg, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Rusty Osterstock,
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co., William Sondheim, PolyGram
Video and David Spomer, Thomson Consumer Electronics. They will
comprise the group's executive committee; however, additional board
directors will be elected at a future meeting.
According to Petrone, "The DVD Video Group will provide a
constant flow of information about DVD Video benefits, as well as
updates about hit movies, re-released classics and innovative music
videos from chart-topping artists to consumers, retailers and the
media so they can make informed decisions about this exciting format
breakthrough."
To that end, the DVD Video Group plans to produce a variety of
information pieces for consumer, trade and media use, and will make
regular announcements addressing the latest news about DVD hardware,
movies, and music videos.
"Right now, our group includes many of the companies that are in the
process of introducing DVD Video players, movies and music videos,"
added Petrone. "Naturally, we hope to welcome many other companies
into the DVD Video Group as they solidify their plans and announce
their intention to launch DVD products."
The DVD Video Group, to be located at 7758 Sunset Blvd., Los
Angeles, Calif. 90046, will be operational by late summer. Until
then, prospective members and media may call Douglas Consulting Group
at 213/845-0140 for further information.
The DVD Video Group is a nonprofit corporation that exists expressly
to promote consumer awareness of the benefits of DVD and to provide
information about DVD hardware and software to the media, the retail
trade and the consumer market.
--30--LES/la TJM/la
CONTACT:
Douglas Consulting Group
Amy Jo Donner or Rob Williams, 213/845-0140 |
