SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Jose Royo, Ascent Media Group's (AMG) Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, who has led the efforts to provide digital services for the media and entertainment industries, today was named Chief Executive Officer of the company. With a clear vision for an industry in transition and a strong track record of successful execution, Royo will help AMG deliver a new generation of innovative services while maintaining its longstanding leadership in creative post production, media management, and distribution services.
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Royo's appointment as CEO of AMG reflects the rapid shift of the entertainment industry from physical media and hardware-based manual processes to a new generation of digital services and file-based workflows. As consumers worldwide embrace new electronic devices, formats, and delivery options for filmed entertainment, tremendous opportunities are being created for media providers equipped to meet the demand. Royo's early recognition of these changes led him to drive the company's investment in new file-based technologies to develop new creative, media management and network services. Guided by his vision and leadership, Ascent has emerged as the industry's premier provider of digital services to support emerging digital entertainment business models and strategies.
"Drawing on a rare combination of industry foresight, technological knowledge, and operations management skills, Jose has already helped transform not only Ascent, but the industry we serve as well," said Bill Fitzgerald, Chairman of Ascent Media Group and Senior Vice President of Liberty Media Corporation. "By complementing our legacy strengths in creative, media management and network services with innovative digital technologies and services, he has helped establish a new model for doing business in the digital age and kept Ascent ahead of the field as a fully integrated global media services provider."
Digital Media Leaders Applaud Appointment
Royo's role as Ascent's CTO has been instrumental in forming strong relationships between AMG and key technology providers and media companies. The technology partnership he helped forge with HP has been the cornerstone of AMG's digital initiatives, beginning in 2004 with the joint development of content management and repurposing solutions to support the rapid proliferation of new media distribution channels on a worldwide basis. The alliance was formalized as a strategic partnership in 2007, joining the two global leaders in an unprecedented combination of Silicon Valley and Hollywood expertise that is revolutionizing the digital media supply chain.
"Throughout HP and Ascent's collaboration, we have been continually impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit shown by Jose and his team," said David Murphy, senior vice president, Web Services and Software Business, HP. "His ability to drive execution has made it possible for us to move forward together with the requisite agility to truly pioneer the digital transformation."
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) was AMG's first strategic partner and an early client of the AMG-HP alliance. "Jose has played a vital role in helping us deploy our next-generation digital initiatives," said Jeff Hargleroad, executive vice president of corporate operations at SPE. "He has a deep understanding of emerging markets and how best to address them, from how digital assets are stored and managed to the many ways they can now be delivered worldwide, and he has the technical acumen to make it all work. His rise to CEO validates our confidence in Ascent as a key strategic partner for our business moving forward."
Microsoft and AMG have collaborated in global markets to support digital file-based services for content owners. "Jose's effectiveness in opening new markets and delivering high-value solutions for our joint customers has been critical to the success of our companies' alliance," said Martha Bejar, corporate vice president for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. "He has been a driving force in helping the industry make the transition to digital services, and I am thrilled to see him take the reins at Ascent."
Royo Welcomes Opportunity
"Ascent is filled with talented and forward-thinking people whose hard work has positioned the company to effectively respond to this fast-moving and constantly-changing industry," Royo said. "We have the talent, the focus, and the expertise to continue to put this company on a path that helps our customers extend their media franchises around the world."
Prior to AMG, Royo was CTO at Broadband Sports, Director of Program Management at Trilogy Software, Lead Software Architect at Harvard University, and Teaching Fellow in East Asian Studies at Harvard University. He holds AM, PhD, and MBA degrees from Harvard University where he was a Harvard Baker Scholar and TDK Fellow. He is fluent in Japanese and at one time worked as a simultaneous translator for Matsushita. Royo, a native of Spain, currently resides in Venice Beach, California with his wife and two children.
About Ascent Media Group
Santa Monica, California-based Ascent Media Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Holding Company , which, through its Creative Services and Network Services divisions, provides creative and technical media services to the media and entertainment industries. Through more than 75 facilities in California, New York, London, Singapore and other locations throughout the world, Ascent Media Group provides effective solutions for the creation, management and distribution of content to major motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies and other companies that produce, own and/or distribute entertainment, news, sports, corporate, educational, industrial and advertising content. More information about Ascent Media Group is available at http://www.ascentmedia.com/.
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