Virtual Katy Appoints New CEO To Take Co. Global

Virtual Katy appoints new CEO to take company to global stage

AUCKLAND – 26 April 2004 - Virtual Katy, the ground breaking sound editing software development company for the audio-visual industry, today announced the appointment of Paul Dixon to the new position of CEO. A highly experienced entrepreneur and marketer, Mr Dixon will spearhead international sales activity, consolidating the company’s position as world-wide market leader.

The appointment follows the recent injection of funds and skills by New Zealand’s foremost business angel investor, Sparkbox Ltd, and follows a raft of offshore sales to movie productions, including ‘Thunderbirds’ at Pinewood Studios near London.

According to Sparkbox’s CEO, Gaël de Kerdanet, the appointment of the company’s first CEO marks a significant commercial milestone for Virtual Katy. “The Virtual Katy software has already demonstrated its capabilities by being successfully deployed in the demanding environment of big budget movie productions such as Lord of the Rings. In recruiting a CEO for Virtual Katy, we were looking for someone with a strong track record in the IT industry and, in particular, proven success in developing and managing distribution networks offshore within a start-up environment. In Paul Dixon, we found the ideal candidate.”

Virtual Katy founder and Chief Technology Officer, John McKay, said that Mr Dixon brings invaluable business skills to the technology company. “Sparkbox’s involvement makes it possible to grow Virtual Katy to its full potential. Now, with Paul’s commercial acumen and international expertise on-board, we are in a great position to consolidate our position as the preferred supplier to the key sound production companies in North America and Europe.”

Mr Dixon brings with him more than 20 years experience in the Australasian and US technology markets. His previous roles include founding Imagineering Micro Distributors (now Tech Pacific) where he grew annual turnover to $70 million and took the company to IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange. He also played a strategic role in the acquisition of Maxcess Technology by Singapore Computer Systems and the subsequent merger with Brimaur Technologies.

Paul Dixon said that Virtual Katy provides an unrivalled service to sound editors and post production facilities which will revolutionise the sound editing process. “I am very excited about leading this outstanding New Zealand technology company and taking it to the world stage where it naturally belongs,” Dixon said. “The opportunities in both television and movie production of all sizes around the world are very exciting and I look forward to growing the business to take advantage of all these opportunities.”

About Virtual Katy

Virtual Katy Development Limited was established in Wellington in 2002 by John McKay, during the production of the second Lord of the Rings movie, The Two Towers. The company’s software solution, also called Virtual Katy, is a unique sound editing tool which revolutionises the way sound is conformed in the post production process. Virtual Katy automatically re-conforms sound sequences in line with picture changes.

For more information, please visit www.virtualkaty.com

About Sparkbox

Established in June 2001, Sparkbox Ltd is New Zealand’s foremost ‘business angel’ company. Set-up from the onset to fill the gap between start-ups and venture capital funds in the ICT sector, Sparkbox provides the capital and / or skills required to take successfully high growth potential ICT start-ups from incubator stage all the way up to Venture Capital investment. Sparkbox's other current investments include First Rate, an internet marketing company and Calcium Software, an e-marketing software development company which just launched v2.0 of mailPrimer, its powerful 1-to-1, day-to-day use, email marketing solution.

For more information please visit www.virtualkaty.com

ENDS

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