MacroSystem US Parts Ways with David Slone
March 23, 2003
Wetter, Germany - MacroSystem's president David Slone has been terminated, according to MacroSystem Digital Video AG Chief Executive Officer Jorg Sprave, who confirmed reports of the action for
Wedding & Event Videography (WEV) this morning from Germany.
Patrick Thomas, a long-time board member of MacroSystem US, is the Interim President. Sprave said he and Dr. Dominik Endler, another board member, will travel to the United States in the near future to name a new president.
Sprave confirmed the termination in correspondence with WEV Magazine, stating the main reason for the decision to terminate “is that we want to change the strategies and the organization of MacroSystem US, as we do not share David’s opinion regarding several important issues. We felt that we needed a different president, someone who shares our ideas, to put our ideas in place.”
Sales and budget targets were not met as anticipated, the company reported, noting such facts are a part of understood business reality.
Sprave also acknowledged the importance of the wedding and event videography market, and in particular, WEVA International, to MacroSystem's continued plans.
“The (recent) WEVA tour was very successful (from what we have heard), with the exception of the weather related problems on the east coast," said Sprave. "We will, if allowed to, continue to use such events as a way to get in touch with one of our targeted user groups. That also includes advertisements in your magazine, participation in the WEVA show and so on. A lot of things that we have in high priority development are designed for wedding/event videographers. Together with the educational market, the WEVA members are our main customer group for Casablanca in the US. Count on us!”
Sprave also noted that MacroSystem will have its own booth at next year’s NAB rather than a hospitality suite. A shift in focus from dealers to end user related campaigns may be anticipated as a result of the changes. A reorganization and new marketing initiatives may also be anticipated, the company reports.
In remarks circulated by Slone, he confirmed termination of his employment, noting that differences in “style and direction” of leadership contributed to the situation.
“I will not pretend to be happy with their decision,” Slone wrote, “but I will also not trash them or their products. I still believe that the Casablanca product is an amazing tool and I believe that they have some of the most talented people in the industry working for them. The team in Boulder that I have built over the past several years is the best team I have ever been associated with.”
A former wedding videographer himself, Slone continued to be active in video production activities. He was dedicated to helping both established videographers and young people just starting out achieve continued success in their own business as well as the video industry overall.
Slone had been president of the company for some 18 months, during which it released popular products targeted to wedding and event videography, including Casablanca Kron, Avio DV Pro and Prestige, among others.
For more information, visit
www.macrosystem.de
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