Vitec Videocom, known for its video brands, is evolving its structure to put the tools and technologies developed for professional broadcasters and cinematographers into the hands of a growing community of independent content creators. The company’s push to democratize some of its high-end technology will be supported by a new management team and organizational structure.
“Every now and then we take a good hard look at where the video industry is going and how we fit in that picture,” said Matt Danilowicz, CEO of Vitec Videocom. “The DSLR video revolution and the explosive growth of live Internet streaming has demonstrated that there is a whole new generation of filmmakers seeking new, affordable technologies that will help them create captivating content for new platforms. Videocom’ s new management structure helps align us with this new movement so that we can continue to innovate for both the professional video crowd and for this new wave of media producers.”
Vitec Videocom’s latest acquisitions are a testament to its desire to democratize cutting-edge technology. Teradek, SmallHD, and Paralinx, all part of the Division’s new Creative Solutions business unit, offer high-level technologies at price points that independent content creators can afford. Some of Videocom’ s other premium brands, such as Litepanels and Anton/Bauer, have also embarked on this path, with the former developing new cost-effective run-and-gun lighting kits and the latter integrating leading-edge battery technology into a new line of affordable broadcast and cinema products.
“Vitec Videocom is unique in that it combines legendary brands that have been around for decades with young upstarts that grew out of this new generation of media creators,” said Danilowicz. “Like our brands, I have put together a management team that has years of video industry experience, but also the pioneering spirit of entrepreneurs. This new structure will help us continue to equip and inspire videographers far into the future, with the same commitment we bring every day to the world’s largest broadcasters, film studios and production companies.”
The Division’s new structure will be split into three core business units, capitalizing on brand synergies:
Graham Sharp, a former senior executive at Avid, Grass Valley, and MAC Consulting, will run the Production Equipment unit, representing the company’s core product brands such as Anton/Bauer, Autocue, Autoscript, Litepanels, OConnor, Sachtler, Vinten, and Vinten Radamec.
Halid Hatic, founder of Curious Software and former executive at Avid and VizRt, will lead Production Services, which includes Bexel, Camera Corps, The Camera Store, and Autoscript/Autocue Hire.
Nicol Verheem, a former GE engineer and founder of Teradek, will head Creative Solutions, which consists of Teradek, SmallHD, and Paralinx.
Martin Vann, who recently joined Vitec Videocom, will oversee global sales and marketing for the Division. He brings with him significant sales and marketing leadership experience from such companies as Autodesk and Avid, where he held multiple executive leadership positions.
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
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