Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Establishes Wireless Services Within Digital Networks Division
Rio Caraeff Named Vice President of SPDE Wireless Services Team; First Mobile Games Announced
PRNewswire
CULVER CITY, Calif.
03/11/2002
Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) today announced the formation of Wireless Services, a new group which will focus on developing and distributing new mobile specific entertainment applications, games and services featuring Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) properties for current and emerging wireless technologies and platforms. Wireless Services will distribute its offerings to consumers through partnerships with wireless carriers, device manufacturers and infrastructure providers on a worldwide basis.
In addition to featuring properties from SPE's film and television library, Wireless Services will work with SPDE Europe to penetrate the international mobile marketplace and Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) to extend its game library to the wireless arena. Tim Chambers, senior vice president of SPDE's Advanced Platforms, will lead Wireless Services. Both Advanced Platforms and Wireless Services are part of the recently announced Digital Networks Division.
"The global wireless marketplace is a vibrant arena," said Yair Landau, president of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment. "We recognize value in wireless services as another way to engage and entertain consumers, and are looking forward to our audiences having an additional channel to the studio."
"Our new team will capitalize on the exciting opportunities ahead in wireless technology and, as our businesses continue to work together to create next generation entertainment, it will be a valuable addition to our portfolio," said Patrick Kennedy, senior vice president, Digital Networks Division, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment.
Caraeff Named Vice President
Rio Caraeff has joined Wireless Services as vice president. In his new position, Caraeff will work closely with Sony's wireless partners and manage the group's mobile initiatives. He will report to Chambers.
"We are thrilled to have Rio join Wireless Services. He has vast expertise in technology and telecommunications strategy as well as emerging business models in the film, television and game industries," said Tim Chambers. "The Wireless team is poised to lead SPDE in developing what we regard as the next emerging market as new technology opens this exciting new channel."
"SPDE enters this market with a history of innovation in entertainment-oriented mobile applications," said Rio Caraeff. "With numerous opportunities to reach our customers and empower them with the latest mobile applications, SPDE is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this market."
Prior to joining SPDE, Caraeff was the managing partner and co-founder of FABRIC, a media & technology consultancy firm. Prior to FABRIC, he held senior new business development and technology positions at Sony 550 Digital Media Ventures, Sony Music Entertainment and Capitol Records.
First Java Mobile Games Announced
Wireless Services recently introduced "Charlie's Angels Mobile Adventure" and "Men In Black 2: Alien Control" for Sony Ericsson's Java-enabled Z700 color phone which will be available throughout Europe and Asia.
Currently, the team is developing other mobile games based on various Sony Pictures film and television properties and will distribute them through global wireless operators and partnerships with device manufacturers such as Sony Ericsson Mobile. In addition to the Java-based games, content offerings will range from simple image graphics for wallpaper and film and television logos to more interactive and robust services such as Short Messaging Services, Multi-Media Messaging Services and film trailer streaming.
Wireless Services will continue to build on the prior work completed by SPDE. Presently, the Sony USA Channel, which is available on most PDAs, includes entertainment content from "Dawson's Creek," Soap City, Jeopardy! 2001, a mobile/PDA version of the popular television program and the V.I.P. Picture of the Day.
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, Sony Online Entertainment, the Digital Networks Division which includes SoapCity and Screenblast, and SPIN, which represents the studio's online promotional presence. 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) developing new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide online, open-access video-on-demand, interactive television and wireless entertainment.
SOURCE: Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment
Contact: Don Levy, +1-310-482-4808, dlevy@sonypictures.com, or Kristen
Tarnol, +1-310-482-4828, ktarnol@sonypictures.com, both of Sony Pictures
Digital Entertainment
Website: http://www.spe.sony.com/