Home Media Magazine - December 21, 2008 - (Page 14) aptains T OF THE INDUSTRY he year was 1979, and Henry McGee had an interview with Time Inc. The former Newsweek reporter saw two positions that appealed to him: reporting for Time magazine or acquiring films for HBO, a promising new pay TV service. McGee chose the latter. As president of HBO Home Entertainment, he has overseen worldwide DVD, Blu-ray Disc and digital distribution sales since 1995. “I have the best job at HBO,” McGee said. Under McGee, HBO was the first to put TV programming on Blu-ray Disc. He calls the home video releases of “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City” the greatest accomplishments of his time at HBO. McGee pioneered Internet marketing for DVD, and under him HBO opened a U.K. HBO label. McGee also serves as a director for pharmaceutical services company AmerisourceBergen, president of the Alvin Ailey Theater Foundation and board member for the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Black Filmmaker Foundation. »mcgee President, HBO Home Entertainment HENRY R on Sanders joined Warner Home Video in 1991 and has held various managerial positions including VP of rental sales and VP of sellthrough sales before being promoted in 1999 to managing director, United Kingdom and Ireland, based in London. In 2000, he was promoted to SVP and managing director, Europe Middle East and Africa, where he oversaw the company’s efforts in 28 territories. Returning to the United States in 2003, he was appointed EVP and GM, North America, before being named worldwide president in 2005. He previously held positions with Procter & Gamble and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University in Alabama. Key executives reporting to Sanders include: I Mark Horak, president, North America I Philippe Cardon, president, international I Dan Miron, EVP, worldwide supply chain management I Beth Baier, SVP, business affairs and general counsel I Dorinda Marticorena, SVP, worldwide marketing and high-definition I John Richards, SVP, worldwide creative services »sanders President, Warner Home Video RON »severson »tsuyuzaki SVP and GM of Entertainment, Wal-Mart VP, Panasonic Consumer Electronics ary Severson is in charge of all things entertainment for the nation’s biggest retailer. Being responsible for electronics, computers, video games, photography, music and, of course, movies, is in no way a chore for the SVP and GM of entertainment for Wal-Mart. “I absolutely enjoy what I’m doing now and am very proud of what our home entertainment team has accomplished thus far,” said Severson. “It all started for me 19 years ago, when I was offered the opportunity to become a buyer in entertainment. I’ve been involved ever since.” Severson joined Wal-Mart in 1994 as a buyer, and managed various other retail sections before earning his current job in 2002. Before Wal-Mart, Severson worked at Venture Stores, a division of May Company, for eight years. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Marriott School of Business Institute of Marketing National Retail at BYU and earned the Students in Free Enterprise Eagle award in 2006 and the Double Eagle award this year. Severson’s experience and know-how make him good at his job, but a passion for movies doesn’t hurt either. “I love entertainment,” he said. “I have a 142-inch big screen TV in my theater room basement.” GARY EISUKE G E isuke “SK” Tsuyuzaki has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the home movie-watching experience. He serves as managing director of Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory in Universal City, Calif. and concurrently as VP of Panasonic Consumer Electronics of America. In these positions Tsuyuzaki oversees research and development and production operations of the Hollywood Lab, and directs Panasonic’s Blu-ray Disc format development and promotion in North America. He also acts as a liaison for Panasonic to develop partnerships and alliances with the Hollywood creative and entertainment production communities. “Esk is truly one of the masterminds behind Blu-ray,” said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “His innovation and insight are key to helping our industry remain strong in these challenging times. And his foresight into 3-D and home networking keep him on the cutting edge of future home entertainment technology.” Prior to Panasonic, Tsuyuzaki served in leadership positions at Sony Corp., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Columbia-Tristar Motion Pictures. Tsuyuzaki is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. 14 Home Media Magazine December 21–27, 2008
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