Real Image Announces Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

Arvind Ranganathan to head the company in its aggressive growth

Chennai, 7 September 2009: Real Image Media Technologies announced today that Arvind Ranganathan, currently Head of Strategy and Business Implementation, has been appointed as its Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. With a focus on the expanding operations and the potential transition to a Public company, Arvind has been chosen to spearhead this exciting and dynamic phase of growth and to carry the company, through organic and inorganic growth, to greater heights in the cinema industry.

After revolutionizing the Indian film industry three times over with the introduction of Avid, DTS and Qube Digital Cinema, Real Image has taken its indigenously developed Qube technology and made it a force to reckon with in the international markets. With over 1,600 operational digital cinema installation across six continents and about 1,000 installations in India alone, the company has charted an aggressive expansion plan to take this number close to 4,000 screens over the next three years.

“When you work at Real Image, nobody wonders whether it can be done! It’s always by when! With such resources to back me, I feel extremely confident of the future of this company.” said Arvind Ranganathan of his new role.

An Engineer with a Post Graduate Degree in Management, Arvind moved to the Investment Banking domain after spending his early years in manufacturing and marketing in the industrial sector. Arvind has been involved in most facets of the financial markets, from equity research to Investment Banking & Corporate Finance, which included an association with KPMG Corporate Finance in India and the Middle East. His experience includes significant business advisory roles apart from transactional roles.

“Arvind not only has deep experience in the cinema industry but also the rare capacity to think strategically and innovate under pressure, the experience to know when to fight a battle and the ability to work across a broad spectrum of clients,” said Senthil Kumar, Co-Founder of Real Image. “His many skills, the fit with the culture of the company and his knowledge of the capital markets, apart from his familiarity with Real Image’s diverse businesses, give Jayendra and me the confidence to place our future in his capable hands.”

Intel Capital and Nomura, investors in Real Image were enthusiastic about the new developments in the company. “Given its unique strengths in the media space and strong technology capabilities, Real Image is well poised to benefit from the growth of the cinema industry, both in India and internationally. We are confident that under Arvind’s dynamic leadership, the company shall reach new heights.” said Yoshiki Hashimoto, Head of Asia Merchant Banking at Nomura.

Sudheer Kuppam, Managing Director at Intel Capital for India, Japan and South-East Asia added, “Arvind’s appointment is great news for Real Image. It’s a natural progression, given the current state of the business, and Arvind brings a wealth of experience to the role.  We’re confident that he will lead Real Image to greater success, and we look forward to working with him.”

Arvind’s ability to quickly grasp the key business drivers across industry sectors and drive management imperatives and actions required to deliver on strategic goals are the strengths that Real Image is relying on to take it to the pinnacle of the digital cinema industry worldwide.

Posted on Tue, 09/08/2009 - 22:48