Patrick Kennedy Named Senior Vice President, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE)

Patrick Kennedy has been promoted to senior vice president of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE), with responsibility for day-to-day operations of a business created in March to deliver dynamic online and interactive entertainment for the broadband era.

In his new role, Mr. Kennedy will head operations for SPDE and report to Yair Landau, president of SPDE, a division of Culver City-based Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). Mr. Kennedy previously was vice president, Corporate Development, SPE.

Mr. Landau said Mr. Kennedy will play a key role in helping align SPDE's digital production expertise with its award-winning online content distribution and interactive game services, to produce next-generation broadband entertainment. In addition to cross-division operational responsibilities, he will serve as the lead on cross-division strategic alliances for SPDE. His promotion is effective immediately.

SPDE currently oversees Sony Pictures Imageworks, the computer-generated imaging (CGI) house that created "Stuart Little," the animated mouse in the hit film of the same name; Sony Online Entertainment, the leading online games service whose Web site The Station@sony.com features such popular interactive games as "Everquest®," "Wheel of Fortune®," "JEOPARDY!®" and "Trivial Pursuit®"; and the creation of original online entertainment, including "Dawson's Desktop" and SoapCity.com, which are adapted from SPE's branded film and TV properties.

"I'm excited that Patrick is joining us," Mr. Landau said. "His background in technology, business development and strategic planning, along with his start-up experience in Japan will strengthen our drive to integrate our digital production and distribution initiatives and to create world-class digital entertainment assets."

"Patrick brings a new-technology passion and intelligence to his new role," said Mel Harris, president and chief operating officer of SPE. "His knowledge of new media and digital content delivery will help drive this important new piece of our business portfolio."

"I greatly appreciate the vote of confidence from Yair and from Sony Pictures Entertainment's senior management," Mr. Kennedy said. "I am excited about the opportunity to continue to work with Yair to integrate and expand Sony Pictures' digital entertainment initiatives. I look forward to working with the excellent teams already in place at Imageworks and Sony Online Entertainment, as well as helping build new entertainment assets for the company."

Mr. Kennedy joined SPE's Corporate Development group as a manager in 1996, after two years as a strategy consultant with the Monitor Company in Los Angeles. In Corporate Development, he worked on film financing initiatives, business plans for international cable and satellite TV channels, and strategic investments in new media companies. In 1997, he moved to Tokyo to represent SPE on negotiations and planning for the launch of the satellite television service, JSkyB. Once that service was launched, he remained in Japan to establish Sony Pictures Television Japan and to launch two satellite channels for SPE: AXN (Japan) and Animax.

After returning from Tokyo in 1998, Mr. Kennedy led a group of SPE executives in analyzing TV and new media investment opportunities available to SPE around the world. He was among a team of executives who helped reorganize SPE's digital media assets into the recently created SPDE. A Minneapolis native, Mr. Kennedy holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. He has also completed all but his dissertation for a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, also from Stanford.

About Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE), an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Online Entertainment. SPDE focuses on three areas: 1) producing and developing visual effects and computer-generated imaging (CGI), digital character animation, and original content for motion picture, television, online and PlayStation audiences; 2) tapping SPE's film and television libraries and its talent relationships to develop new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide video-on-demand, interactive television and the distribution of other forms of digital content and services over the emerging broadband networks.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment products, services and technologies, and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.spe.sony.com/

SOURCE: Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE)

Contact: Don Levy of Sony Pictures Entertainment, 310-244-3553

Website: http://www.spe.sony.com/