Digital Cinema United, a content services company specializing in digital cinema package production and delivery services, has hired Ronnie Ycong to lead the company’s North America and Latin America region as executive vice president and general manager – Americas. At the same time the company announced the addition of Premiere Cinemas and Epic Theatres to its DCU Connect network.
Ycong will manage DCU’s U.S. offices and oversee sales and operations for the company’s three business services in the Americas: theatrical distribution, digital platforms and home entertainment. He is also tasked with leading the expansion of the company’s DCU Connect platform into the Americas. Based on technology originally launched in Europe in 2015, DCU Connect is a cloud-based content delivery platform used for sending feature and trailer DCPs to movie theaters.
“Bringing someone onboard with Ronnie’s theatrical experience at this pivotal time was hugely important for our company,” said Alan Christensen, CEO, DCU. “Since joining DCU, he has quickly contributed to the overall strategy and long-term growth of our global business.”
With the addition of Premiere Cinemas and Epic Theatres, DCU Connect is now installed at nearly 2,000 sites in the U.S. and across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Caribbean. The company says the platform offers film distributors and content owners a robust and more cost-effective way to deliver content to theaters.
“Ronnie has been a trusted exhibition partner for many years,” said Joel Davis, vice president and COO, Premiere Cinemas. “DCU was able to install DCU Connect at all Premiere Cinemas sites within 24 hours and make an immediate impact to our theater operations by decreasing DCP content delivery costs.”
“As a former DCU client, I was always impressed with the company’s quality of service,” said Ycong. “I’m excited to join DCU and having Premiere Cinemas and Epic Theatres a part of our growing DCU Connect network. They are top-notch exhibitors that expand our DCU Connect network to additional U.S. cities across Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico.”
Prior to joining DCU, Ycong was the principal of CineMarketing Consulting Group where he consulted for theatrical exhibitors and distributors. A 29-year veteran of the theatrical industry, Ycong was executive vice president of exhibitor relations and operations at Spotlight Cinema Networks, where he was responsible for managing content distribution operations and exhibitor partnerships. He conceived and helped launch Spotlight’s event cinema business, CineLife Entertainment, and worked at Screenvision Media, Mann Theatres, Fandango and National Cinema Network.
Digital Cinema United https://digitalcinemaunited.com/