Patrick Kennedy Promoted to Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Digital
PRNewswire
CULVER CITY, Calif.
12/18/2002
Patrick Kennedy has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Digital, with overall responsibility for the company's Digital Networks Division, it was announced today by Yair Landau, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and President of Sony Pictures Digital.
In his previous role as senior vice president of Sony Pictures Digital, Kennedy was responsible for the formation of the Digital Networks Division, which officially launched in April this year. The division, an integral component of the Sony Pictures Digital organization, is charged with becoming the leading creator and distributor of digital entertainment services to consumers on all devices.
"Patrick's vision has been a fundamental driving force in the build of Sony Pictures Digital's businesses," said Mr. Landau. "As we work to bridge Sony devices to Sony Pictures Entertainment's vital content, Patrick's cross- divisional relationships, both here and abroad, are invaluable in supporting and strengthening our efforts."
Kennedy also will oversee the day-to-day strategic operations of the division and further develop its online promotional arm Sony Pictures Integrated Network, as well as the Screenblast and SoapCity brands. In addition, he supervises Sony Pictures Mobile (wireless), advanced platforms, and the U.K. interactive TV Channel, GoPlayTV. Digital Networks operates in the Sony Pictures Digital division alongside Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Online Entertainment.
Kennedy will continue to play a key role in aligning Sony Pictures Digital's digital production, content distribution and interactive game services to offer broader avenues of distribution. At the same time, under his elevated leadership role, he will be responsible for strategically growing a unified distribution platform from which to deploy network delivered services in the U.S. and internationally.
"We see a tremendous opportunity in the delivery of digital entertainment services to consumers across all media and devices," said Kennedy. "We're at a pivotal moment in the integration of our hardware, content and creativity and as we build out our platform, I look forward to developing a solid foundation from which we can capitalize on our strong content library and global reach."
Most recently, Kennedy was instrumental in working with Sony Pictures Digital's leadership to develop SoapCity's soon to debut on-demand subscription service to download soap opera episodes, as well as the fall debut of Screenblast Music Studio and Screenblast Movie Studio editing software on retail shelves. Kennedy also guided the division's Wireless Service Group and their recent partnership announcements with T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless Services.
Prior to joining Sony Pictures Digital as senior vice president in 2000, Kennedy worked in Sony Pictures Entertainment's corporate development group, where he started as a manager in 1996. He then moved to Tokyo to represent the company in negotiations and preparations for the launch of the satellite television service, SkyPerfecTV. He remained in Japan to establish Sony Pictures Television Japan, which launched two satellite channels for Sony Pictures Entertainment: AXN (Japan) and Animax. In 1998, Kennedy returned from Tokyo to Sony Pictures Entertainment as vice president of corporate development, where he was instrumental in the company's reorganization of its digital media assets into the newly formed Sony Pictures Digital unit.
Kennedy holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and has a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
About Sony Pictures Digital
Sony Pictures Digital, an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Entertainment, Sony Pictures Digital Networks Division. The Digital Networks Division, which also includes SoapCity, GoPlayTV and SPIN, is committed to becoming the leading creator and distributor of digital entertainment services to consumers on all devices. For additional information, please visit www.sonypictures.com
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
CONTACT: Jerry Schmitz, +1-310-840-7326, jschmitz@sonypictures.com, for
Sony Pictures Digital
Web site: http://www.spe.sony.com/
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/