Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition, LLC (“DCDC”) announced today that longtime film industry veteran Howard Kiedaisch will take the reigns as CEO, effective July 7, 2021. Kiedaisch succeeds Randolph “Randy” Blotky, who is stepping down as CEO on June 30, 2021, following more than a decade of involvement with DCDC, the last eight years of which has been as CEO.
Howard joins DCDC as CEO after working in the international film and technology space for more than 30 years. Most recently, Howard served as CEO of 4D immersive experience provider, MediaMation Inc., while also working for Guangzhou based Luxin-Rio which owns Arts Alliance Media (AAM), among other assets in the cinema technology space. Prior to that he spent nine years as CEO of AAM, where he oversaw the development of a global cinema software business that now touches more than 45,000 screens worldwide. Howard has also worked as CFO for Universal Pictures International based in London and as CEO of the international theatrical versioning distribution company, Motion Picture Solutions.
“With the dedicated support of the investors and industry partners, Randy and the DCDC team have created a valuable network from which we can continue to build an important platform that will serve the theatrical supply chain expanding the reach and diversity of content while also improving the efficiency,” stated Kiedaisch. “Now, more than ever, it is necessary for distribution and exhibition to work closely together to benefit the industry and ultimately the end consumer.”
Blotky has been engaged with DCDC in its planning and preparation stages since 2010 and has led the company as CEO since 2013. During that time, DCDC has grown to serve more than 60 content-providing customers and over 370 theatrical exhibitors, comprised of nearly 3,000 sites with more than 32,000 screens in the United States. Said Blotky, “It has been an honor and a privilege to nurture and lead DCDC as it has become the industry standard bearer for reliable, cost effective digital content delivery to theatres across the country.”
“Howard Kiedaisch’s many years of leadership and success in the cinema technology space made him a perfect match for DCDC and we are thrilled to welcome him as CEO,” said Cynthia Pierce, SVP, Facilities/Sight & Sound AMC and member of DCDC’s Board of Directors. “On behalf of the entire DCDC leadership team we thank Randy for his years of leadership and for guiding DCDC to its place as the industry leader in content distribution in the theatrical exhibition space.”
About the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition
DCDC was formed by AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, Regal Entertainment Group, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment to provide the industry with theatrical digital delivery services across North America through a specially created network comprised of next-generation satellite and terrestrial distribution technologies. It is capable of supporting feature, promotional, pre-show and live content distribution into theatres.