My New Gig -- My New Hats ... Or, Csathy Goes (Back) to Hollywood

Today is a big day for me, a very big day.  As of today, I am now officially CEO of Manatt Digital Media Ventures (here is the official press release).  That means I am now officially a VC.  And a business connector ... and a negotiator ... and deal-maker ... and consultant ... and ....  You get the point.

Where previously -- and for the past 4+ years -- I have worn one hat as CEO of online video innovator Sorenson Media (and have been honored to wear that hat), now I wear multiple hats.  Where before I was internally focused on the success of one storied company (and we had many), now I am primarily externally focused to help build successes for multiple companies.  I have simply chosen to move my career forward on a very different path at this point in my career.  And, it is a very exciting one for me -- layered, and with multiple ways to add value.  To make a difference.

So, what exactly is Manatt Digital Media Ventures?

It is a division of Manatt Digital Media, a disruptive new full-service digital media professional services business for entrepreneurs, ranging from individuals to companies of every size and stage –- start-up, growth, mature public.  Think of Manatt Digital Media as being a one-stop shop for empowering venture capital, strategic business consulting and partnerships, aggressive and smart negotiating, and unrivaled direct access to A-list artists and global brands.  There is nothing else like it.  And, all these services are grounded in the experience and resources of of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, one of the most respected and storied law firms for the media, entertainment and advertising industries.  Manatt's roots run deep in the centers of media, entertainment, advertising and technology -- in Los Angeles, New York, and Silicon Valley -- and with the talent that makes it all possible within those centers.  In a word, Manatt is "connected."  That is very attractive to me.

As CEO of Manatt Digital Media Ventures, I am fortunate to help lead the charge at Manatt Digital Media with highly respected, connected, long-time digital media and VC specialist Hale Boggs, who will serve as Chairman of Manatt Digital Media and whose passion it was in the first place to create this new organization.  It was Hale's ambitious, aggressive and bold vision that attracted me to go this very different direction at this point in my career.  Put simply, it was an opportunity that I simply couldn't pass up.  

Hale, I and the rest of the Manatt Digital Media team are ready to hit it out of the park -- to provide unmatched value to every type of player in the digital media eco-system.  We feel bold about what we intend to do -- so bold, in fact, that we wrote a "Manifesto" on our new Manatt Digital Media website that just launched today in conjunction with this news (here is the link to our Manifesto).

And, for me, it gets event better.  I am not leaving Sorenson Media behind.  Not at all.  I will continue to help drive future successes for Sorenson Media -- and for Jim Sorenson -- as a board member.  Sorenson Media is near and dear to me and continues to be an important part of my professional life.  I absolutely believe in the company and the talent within it.  I absolutely respect and believe in Jim Sorenson and his passion for that company (a passion that already has resulted in a massive "win" when part of Sorenson Media spun-out in 2005 in what is still today the largest private equity deal in Utah history).  Sorenson Media team will achieve even greater things going forward in this increasingly video-driven multi-screen world.

But wait, there's still more!  (But, no, there are no ginzu knives part of this deal).  In my new role -- and at this point in my career -- I am able to focus on other types of pursuits that mean much to me.  Pursuits of passion that have significant non-profit and "give back" components.  Pursuits of passion that involve positive social action and achieve positive social impact.  Pursuits of passion that hopefully make a difference -- make the world a better place.  Make me and my family -- our kids and our friends -- more properly guided and internally rewarded and fulfilled.  Some of these projects include my wife, Luisa's, non-profit Giving Tree Movement, and my own passion project -- FM3 Experience, a world-class music festival that I am developing with an A-list team for launch in the Fall of 2014.  We have heavy-hitters aligned in both -- because they too are dreamers ... believers.

It is an exciting new time for me.  And, I feel fortunate -- very fortunate -- to be in this position at this point in my career and in my life.  People -- both professionally and personally (most of all, my wife, Luisa, and our two wonderful kids, Hunter and Luca) -- have made it all possible of course.  That is the most fortunate part of all of it -- the people with whom I am (and have been) connected.

Time to get started.  Attention all you digital media entrepreneurs out there, PITCH ME!

My Manifesto -- Sorenson Media 2013

As some of you know, I blog not only here, but also for the official blog of my company, Sorenson Media, where I am President & CEO.  I also write fairly regularly for TechCrunch, The Huffington Post, and others.  I do this because I enjoy it.  I also hope, of course, that I both educate and entertain (at least occasionally).

In my alter ego capacity -- i.e., official blogger for Sorenson Media -- this is the post I published today.  I am "re-printing" it here to emphasize its importance -- and to underscore my over-arching commitment to our customers and to those who regularly follow that blog.  This is my "MANIFESTO for 2013" as President, CEO, and official blogger/communicator for Sorenson Media:


To the Sorenson Media faithful, a very happy new year!  This is Peter Csathy, President & CEO of Sorenson Media.  The Sorenson Media team and I are very thankful for your continued trust and faith in our products in 2012.  We hope to do even more in 2013 to earn and further that trust.  That means better products.  Better performance.  Better customer service.  Better listening to what you need.  Better listening to what our products should do.  Better "connection" to you, our customers.  In other words, we need to be ... well ... just plain "better."

Here is my MANIFESTO as we start the new year (which, in the business world, really means today, Monday, January 7th -- the first full back from the long holiday season).  I call it my "MANIFESTO" because this is my personal commitment to all of you for 2013.

First, I write each and every blog post here (I started doing this last month).  I also write my own personal digital media/technology blog ("Digital Media Update") and frequently guest blog for TechCrunch, The Huffington Post, and others.  The point is that I write (a lot) and have for years.  I enjoy it.  And, I commit here to you that I will take real time and make great effort in 2013 to use this official Sorenson Media blog to do more than promote our company and our products.  I commit to you that I will do my best to bring other stories of interest to you, our video professional customers (and others who read this blog).  That means relevant trends in the video marketplace -- relevant stories (including your stories about your businesses and your workflows) -- relevant players -- relevant products -- and, yes, even relevant competitors and their products on occasion.  My goal is to make these "pages" come alive and become a real resource for you -- so that you come back for more because this blog is both entertaining and enlightening.  

I also want for this blog to become a real "conversation" amongst you (our customers and others who come to these pages), our company, and me.  I encourage you to use the "comments" section to agree, disagree, or offer perspective or thoughts of your own on any of the topics of the day.  Feel free to be controversial.  Feel free to speak your mind about my stories, my perspective, our products, or anything at all.  So long as our conversation is respectful, it is all fair game.  You can also always communicate to me privately and directly by writing to my Sorenson Media email address -- which is ceo@sorensonmedia.com.  I assure you that I will personally read -- and respond to -- each and every email.

Will I use this official Sorenson Media blog to promote Sorenson Media, our team, and our products?  Of course I will!  I am CEO after all, and I am passionate about this team, our brand, and our mission -- which is to delight you and exceed your expectations.  I also believe that you may benefit from Sorenson Media-specific announcements and stories on occasion (including team member profiles -- so that you get a sense of who we are).  Will I also use this official blog -- and will we use monthly newsletters -- to promote special offers for our products on occasion?  Yes again!  After all, we are a business and we need to drive our business forward successfully via sales of our products (and readers here and of our newsletters will also benefit from significant product offers that aren't available elsewhere).  But, our products will not sell if they are not worthy of being sold.  In fact, you shouldn't buy them if they don't do what you need them to do -- or what you expect of them.  We wouldn't want you to.

Let me be clear, this Sorenson Media team is a passionate one.  I know every single team member here -- and each one of them (every single one) -- is committed to "doing it right."  We hope to delight each and every one of you.  We don't always succeed, however, but I assure you it's not for lack of commitment or trying when we do miss the mark.  And, if we do, we will do the right thing.  That's my commitment to you -- which is consistent with our long-time culture here.

So, back to the beginning.  I hope you read this official Sorenson Media blog -- not only today, but also on a regular basis.  I will make every effort to make it worth your time.  To be a real resource for you.  Something that can help you in your everyday business and creativity.  I hope for this blog to augment our other available resources and direct lines of communication, which I urge you to check out regularly.  These include (1) our forums (the pool of content -- real world answers -- that deepens each day), (2) free educational webinars focused on real workflows and real world issues (frequently co-hosted by long-time partners like Avid), (3) our newsletters (which, yes, regularly focus on special offers, but which we intend to increasingly use for other useful non-sales information -- such as new or hidden Squeeze features and other product announcements -- so that they too become a real resource for you), (4) our website (which is updated regularly for similar reasons), and (5) our technical support team that has deep knowledge of our products and a deep commitment to our customers.

So, let me know how I am doing with the commitments behind this Manifesto.  Let us here at Sorenson Media know how we are doing as a company.  Give us feedback.  Suggest new features.  Tell us what we are doing right.  Tell us what we can do better.

Thanks again for your trust in our products.  Thanks for using what we develop.  Thanks for listening to what we have to say.  We know you have other choices.

And, let's all have a great year in 2013.

Cheers!

(Post-Script -- my personal "Digital Media Update" blog covers a much broader array of topics that may or may not be of interest to you or appropriate in my official Sorenson Media "voice", including musings about my favorite music and myriad other topics; I urge you to check that out as well, but for other reasons of more general interest and engagement.)

Peter Csathy
President & CEO
ceo@sorensonmedia.com