Management Team
Howard Kiedaisch
Chief Executive Officer
Howard joined Arts Alliance Media in April 2005 from Universal Pictures International where he was CFO/SVP Business Operations based in London and was instrumental in driving the growth of that organisation from $300m to over $1.5 billion in revenue. In addition to being involved with opening offices in Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Korea and Russia, Howard initiated and completed a 3 year business transformation project which reshaped the organisation in terms of people, process and systems. Prior to Universal, Howard was SVP at PolyGram Video in New York helping to grow that business from revenue of $40 million to $300 million over a 5 year period. Earlier in his career, Howard worked at EMI Music Publishing and in the video and theatrical divisions of Orion Pictures. Howard has a B.S. in Applied Economics from Hofstra University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Baruch College.
Fiona Deans
Content and Distributor Services
Fiona joined Arts Alliance Media (AAM) in September 2002 and is currently Director of Digital Cinema, responsible for the growth and operations of the digital cinema business in the UK and Europe. In particular she heads up the rollout and operation of the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network, the world’s first 2K digital cinema network. Fiona also works on a strategic level with the Metropolitan Film School and was responsible for the UK distribution of the Norwegian Film Elling.
Fiona joined AAM from AtomShockwave, where she was Director of Business Development for Europe. Previously she held strategy positions at BBC online and at Bertelsmann’s online subsidiary, bol.com. Prior to that, she worked for Mercer Management Consulting in their London and New York offices, focusing on telecommunications projects. Fiona has a BA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge.
Gemma Richardson
Marketing & Communications
Gemma Richardson joined Arts Alliance Media in January 2006 from Pinewood Shepperton Studios, where she was Head of Post Production Sales. Prior to that, she was Head of Scheduling and Marketing at De Lane Lea Post Production in Soho. Previously, Gemma spent ten years at Sony Pictures Entertainment in Los Angeles, initially in the new technologies arena as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the motion picture digital sound format, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) and subsequently Head of Marketing and Business Development for Sony Pictures Post Production Facilities. Gemma started her career in the publicity department at Cannon Cinemas UK. Gemma has a BA in History from the University of Reading, Berkshire.
Gwendal Auffret
Digital Cinema
Gwendal joined Arts Alliance Media in June 2007 to lead the Southern European digital cinema operation, based in Paris. Previously Gwendal was CEO of Eclair Digital Cinema and has been working in the digital cinema industry for many years. He has extensive experience of negotiating with studios, European distributors and exhibitors for the transition to digital cinema in France, Italy, Germany and Spain, and also forming strategic partnerships with manufacturers and service providers for deployment operations in Europe. Gwendal holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC, France). Before he turned to digital cinema, Gwendal started his career in the field of audiovisual archives by working on the indexing of digital libraries at the Institut National de l'Audiovisuel (INA - The French TV and Radio Archives), then he managed a large film digitization project as well as the modernization of the fully automated video consultation services of the Forum des Images (more than 6700 films)
Joe Amodei
President, Arts Alliance America
Joe joined Arts Alliance Media in May 2007 when AAM acquired Hart Sharp Video, the company Joe founded in 2003. Joe is now President of Arts Alliance America, overseeing the distribution and co-production of feature films, as well as continuing to build partnerships in the independent film world. Prior to the formation of Hart Sharp Video, he was with USA Home Entertainment as President. Amodei began his career in the home entertainment industry two decades ago. Arts Alliance America,develops, acquires, markets and distributes DVD product in the theatrical feature film, documentaries, special interest and sports categories. The company has built partnerships with Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, Bombo Sports and Entertainment, TV Guide and NESN and other high profile entertainment brands since their inception.
Matt Sullivan
Technical Development
Matt joined Arts Alliance Media to lead technical development in July 2007. Matt now oversees all aspects of software engineering and research within AAM across both the digital cinema and home initiatives.
Matt recently lead an informatics initiative at the Conway Institute for Biomedical Research, and has previously served as CTO for both an internet-based communications startup and Primus Telecoms, Europe. He has led many technical initiatives in diverse fields such as disease research, digital online interaction and telecommunications.
Matt holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, specialising in the areas of artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.
Patrick Foley
Chief Financial Officer
Pat joined Arts Alliance Media as CFO in January 2006 from Universal Pictures International where he was responsible for the successful implementation of a major 3 year business transformation programme (process, people and technology). The project delivered Supply Chain, Marketing and Finance solutions globally to all international Home Video operations generating benefits in excess of US$100m. Before undertaking his project based role, he was Finance Director for Universal Pictures UK, a division with sales in excess of $400m annually.
Pat has over 13 years experience in the Film and Home Entertainment industry and prior to Universal worked for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment where he held several senior Finance roles.
Pat is a Chartered Management Accountant.
Rich Phillips
Technical Operations
Rich joined Arts Alliance Media in February 2003 to oversee early digital cinema trials across the UK’s City Screen cinema circuit, and to provide the technical expertise to deliver AAM’s successful bid for the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network project. Since the award of that project Rich has been responsible for delivering the technical solutions behind this ground-breaking network, from projection and playout systems integration to content preparation and distribution systems. He is also responsible for all technical aspects of AAM’s other digital cinema activities, including Europe’s first all digital multiplex at Odeon Surrey Quays, AAM’s digital trial in Norway, and all research and development for future projects. Rich has also developed the content preparation pipeline supporting AAM’s Digital Home and VOD operations, and is now responsible for all technical operations across the company. Before joining AAM Rich ran a consultancy designing and building technical systems for broadcasters and post production houses, including the BBC, Channel 4, MPC and Ascent Media. Prior to that he cut his teeth as an editor and then as a projects engineer for 10 years in the post-production sector.
Rich has a B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Nottingham University, sits on the BKSTS Cinema Technology Committee, and is a member of SMPTE.
Rob Ray
Digital Home
Rob joined Arts Alliance Media in September 2005 as Director of Technology and has overall responsibility for systems design, development, delivery and support for AAM and LOVEFiLM
Rob has spent more than 19 years delivering technology solutions including 10 years working in the Entertainment Industry. He recently served as Vice President Technology for Universal Pictures International delivering technology solutions to support business operations in 26 countries. Rob also led the delivery of technology to support a 3 year business transformation programme. Prior to Universal, Rob was Project Director for Warner Bros International Systems, delivering cinema management systems, internet ticketing, rights management and DVD supply chain solutions. Rob co-founded Era Software delivering solutions ranging from digital imaging to financial planning.