The Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM has appointed Tom Fletcher as director of sales. In his new role, Fletcher will oversee sales and promotion of broadcast and cinema lenses in North America. Working under the guidance of division VP Gordon Tubbs, Fletcher will lead the sales efforts of six regional managers in North America.
Fletcher brings a wealth of varied cinema and video industry expertise to his new position. Best known as the VP of sales & marketing of Fletcher Camera & Lenses and for his popular camera and lens comparison charts, Fletcher has extensive background in both cinematography and broadcast production technology and their use in real-world applications.
“Our industry is rapidly changing with the introduction of 4K broadcasting and the continued growth of digital cinematography,” said Tubbs. “As we continue to expand our Cine-Style line and enjoy a dynamic transition from HD to 4K and HDR, we believe Tom’s a perfect fit for the FUJIFILM team. His expertise in ENG is also deep. While at Fletcher Chicago, Tom and his staff worked with local and network news operations as well as freelance crews across the country. He really knows what our entire range of customers are looking for in optics. I’m confident his experience and drive will help us meet and exceed our goals.”
While at Fletcher Chicago, Fletcher spearheaded the creation of its Emmy Award-winning sports division, (currently Fletcher Group), which provides specialty cameras to NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLB broadcasters throughout North America.
Fletcher has been an active consultant with the Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM since May of last year when he began organizing the marketing and development efforts of FUJINON Day events across the country.
Among his industry accolades, Fletcher is an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, received a special Recognition of Service from IATSE (International Cinematographers Guild) Local 600 for educating members on digital cinematography technology, and was a founding member of the Digital Cinema Society.
Fletcher sits on the boards of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP/Midwest) and Production Equipment Rental Group (PERG) and is an active member of both ASC’s Awards Committee and the Lens Technology sub-committee. In the past, he was on the boards of: Midwest Independent Film Festival, Michigan Film First, the International Electronic Cinema Festival and served as president of ITVA-Chicago
“This position highlights all the sales and marketing work I’ve been doing as a consultant and what I did with Fletcher Camera for the broadcast and cine customers,” said Fletcher. “I feel like this is a perfect fit, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a team so committed to quality optics and to serving its customers. I’ll get to see and work with all the folks I’ve grown to know so well over the years while meeting new producers, DP’s and production managers.”
Fletcher will work from his Lake Forest, Illinois office.
Google Opens Its Defense In Antitrust Case Alleging Monopoly Over Online Ad Technology
Google opened its defense against allegations that it holds an illegal monopoly on online advertising technology Friday with witness testimony saying the industry is vastly more complex and competitive than portrayed by the federal government.
"The industry has been exceptionally fluid over the last 18 years," said Scott Sheffer, a vice president for global partnerships at Google, the company's first witness at its antitrust trial in federal court in Alexandria.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states contend that Google built and maintained an illegal monopoly over the technology that facilitates the buying and selling of online ads seen by consumers.
Google counters that the government's case improperly focuses on a narrow type of online ads — essentially the rectangular ones that appear on the top and on the right-hand side of a webpage. In its opening statement, Google's lawyers said the Supreme Court has warned judges against taking action when dealing with rapidly emerging technology like what Sheffer described because of the risk of error or unintended consequences.
Google says defining the market so narrowly ignores the competition it faces from social media companies, Amazon, streaming TV providers and others who offer advertisers the means to reach online consumers.
Justice Department lawyers called witnesses to testify for two weeks before resting their case Friday afternoon, detailing the ways that automated ad exchanges conduct auctions in a matter of milliseconds to determine which ads are placed in front of which consumers and how much they cost.
The department contends the auctions are finessed in subtle ways that benefit Google to the exclusion of would-be competitors and in ways that prevent... Read More