Event-filled year concludes with Juan Reyes appointed Executive Director to succeed retiring Mike Fidler
YEAR OF MILESTONES
The 8K Association also expanded its efforts this past year in bringing the 8K message to thousands of attendees of such major global trade shows as CES, NAB, CEDIA Expo, IFA and IBC. During these events, a number of 8KA member companies participated in a variety of activities, including product exhibits, content demonstrations and trade ads, as well as panel discussions and interviews.
Additionally, the 8KA worked closely with CTA (the Consumer Technology Association) on the development of a new UHD glossary which has been specifically designed for use by retailers.
This extensive 8KA education and promotion campaign culminated last September with the release of a new 18-page White Paper titled Seeing the Bigger Picture. It takes a detailed look at the technology, science, content, and business strategies behind the 8K ecosystem and viewing experience.
TRADITION OF LEADERSHIP
These and many other 8K Association initiatives have been led over the past two years by Mike Fidler, the organization’s Executive Director, who has announced his retirement effective the end of this year.
During his long and distinguished career, Fidler has been closely involved in nearly every aspect of the entertainment ecosystem, from content and services to hardware and retail. He also held senior executive positions at Sony and Pioneer where he helped drive the adoption of such important technologies as DVD, Blu-ray Disc, HDTV and 4K.
Mike will be succeeded as 8KA Executive Director by Juan Reyes, who currently serves as the organization’s Director of Operations and Certification Program Manager.
With more than two decades of experience in media and entertainment, Reyes has worked on the development and implementation of emerging technologies and is skilled in building new relationships with stakeholders from across the industry. He has also been an active participant in a number of certification and compliance programs.
“Mike Fidler has been an incredible resource for the 8K Association and is largely responsible for elevating our outreach efforts to a whole new level. We wish him an enjoyable retirement” stated Bill Mandel, 8K Association president. “We’re confident that the tradition of leadership that Mike established will continue under Juan Reyes’s direction and will help to make the 8K Association even stronger in the future”.
About the 8K Association
The 8K Association (8KA) is a not-for-profit organization composed of key technology companies in the consumer and professional 8K ecosystem. The 8KA has been organized to educate, certify, promote and evangelize the many aspects of the 8K ecosystem from content creation and production to distribution and consumer consumption. The 8KA mission is to accelerate industry-wide adoption of 8K content, products and services. The 8KA has established a number of work groups to help provide information about the state of the 8K ecosystem to consumers, organizations and standards development groups.
For more information about the 8K Association, please contact: press@8kassociation.com
