REAL D 3D NAMES RENOWNED DVD PIONEER KOJI HASE, PRESIDENT OF WORLDWIDE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Pioneer of DVD and visual media innovator joins global 3D leader
Los Angeles (January 3, 2008) — REAL D, the global leader in 3D experiences and technology, announced the appointment of Emmy award-winning pioneer of the DVD format Koji Hase as President of Worldwide Consumer Electronics. In his new position, Hase will be responsible for building upon REAL D’s successful cinema businesses by launching REAL D’s global business in 3D consumer/home products.
Koji Hase comes to REAL D with more than 38 years of corporate strategy and business development experience in optical and visual media, home systems and entertainment, manufacturing, and intellectual property. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President, Worldwide New Technology at Warner Home Video, engaging next generation high definition DVD businesses and moving Warner’s business beyond optical discs into CSS-protected movie downloads. Prior to the SVP position, Hase assumed supervisory responsibility for the Asia Pacific region, including Japan, China, Korea, and other Asian countries, along with oversight of regional functions in such areas as finance & operations, legal, marketing, SCM, anti-piracy, and IT/MIS.
Prior to Warner Home Video, Hase played a key role in developing Toshiba’s CD-ROM drive business and in establishing the company as one of the largest suppliers of computer CD-Rom drives. He focused on the creation of a new multi-dimensional business field that would promote a convergence of consumer electronics, particularly audio-visual products, with computing, communications, and entertainment.
While General Manager of the DVD Division at Toshiba, Hase served as chair of the DVD Forum, the international organization that guides DVD advances. Hase continued to be a driving force behind the worldwide expansion of the DVD business. These achievements won Hase an Emmy in 1999 with Warren Lieberfarb, then president of Warner Home Video. Hase was also a finalist in the UK’s 2001 World Technology Award.
“I envision many opportunities for REAL D as the company leverages its unique experience in developing 3D technology, intellectual properties, and enabling platforms,” said Hase. “The growth potential in the 3D space is exceptional.”
“Given our experience in 3D and our goals to pursue further opportunities globally, it was critical that we find someone with extensive knowledge and understanding of multiple marketplaces,” said Michael Lewis, Chairman/CEO and Co-Founder of REAL D. “We are truly honored and excited to have Koji join us as we build upon the outstanding successes of REAL D’s 3D cinema businesses.”
ABOUT REAL D
REAL D is the global leader in 3D, bringing the most advanced and enjoyable digital 3-D experience to cinemas worldwide. REAL D’s next-generation technology, deployed across the world’s largest 3D platform in 23 countries, provides a stunningly realistic viewing experience beyond the usual concepts of 3D cinema. The impact of 3D upon today’s moviemaking has been compared to the advent of color film when once there was only black and white.
Beyond cinema, REAL D is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in science, manufacturing, marketing, and other industries, with thirty years of scientific development behind its systems. REAL D’s mission-critical 3-D visualization technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, Boeing and more. For more information, visit www.REALD.com.
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Contacts: Lynda Dorf / Gina Lang
(310) 248-6105 / (310) 248-6109
