GenArts, Inc. the premier provider of visual effects software designed for the film, television and digital production communities, announced today that media and entertainment veteran Amir J. Malin has joined the company’s Board of Directors.
Press Release from GenArts
Cambridge, Massachusetts – GenArts, Inc. the premier provider of visual effects software designed for the film, television and digital production communities, announced today that media and entertainment veteran Amir J. Malin has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Malin will bring his vast expertise in both the creative as well as business ends of the film, television and digital industries to GenArts to help further the company’s mission of enabling storytellers at all levels with the ability to enhance their productions through the use of visual effects.
On Malin’s appointment, Katherine Hays CEO of GenArts, Inc., commented, “We are delighted to welcome Amir to the board. Since GenArts formation 14 years ago, the amount of video created, watched and distributed in the evolution of storytelling has increased exponentially. This coupled with video’s increasingly critical role in all forms of communication positions GenArts and our suite of products at the forefront for storytellers of all levels. Amir’s insights and perspective on what all video creators need from a creativity/inspiration, workflow and financial perspective will be invaluable as we continue to work with artists to meet their needs in this dynamic and evolving marketplace.”
"I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have been offered many opportunities to be a board member of a company and generally I have respectfully declined. However, when I was approached by GenArts, I found an exciting, growing company with quality product and a terrific management team that is going to be an integral part of the entertainment production community," stated Malin.
Malin joins other GenArts Board members including company founder Karl Simms and Insight Venture Partners Nikitas Koutoupes, as well as Jeff Horing and GenArts CEO Katherine Hays. Malin will work with Hays and the rest of the senior management team to continue to lead the market in delivering innovative, high quality and easy-to-use tools that help video creators produce amazing work within tight deadlines and constrained budgets.
Amir J. Malin has been involved in the media and entertainment business for nearly three decades and is considered one of its leading figures and strategic thinkers. His background involves marketing, distribution in all media, content acquisition, and M & A activity.
Currently, Mr. Malin is a co-founder and Managing Principal of Qualia Capital, a private investment firm with a value oriented investment philosophy that focuses on opportunities in the media and entertainment sector. Qualia manages and provides services to four different investment funds, the most recent of which was launched in January of 2011. The firm facilitates investment in all parts of the capital structure.
Prior to forming Qualia, Mr. Malin served as Chief Executive Officer of Artisan Entertainment. He was involved in all facets of Artisan's growth from a struggling publicly held home video distributor (known as LIVE Entertainment) to the leading privately held independent filmed entertainment company. During his tenure, Artisan was transformed into a formidable distribution machine with operating capabilities in the theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, pay television and free television marketplace. Artisan's distribution platform allowed it to profitably acquire and produce new content for both the theatrical and home video markets contributing to a world class library that during Malin’s tenure grew from 2,500 titles to nearly 7,000 titles. In December of 2003, Malin oversaw the successful merger with Lionsgate which provided much of the foundation that makes up this company today. Investors in the original 1997 Bain led transaction to acquire Artisan saw an over 700% ROI when the Lionsgate merger was concluded.
Mr. Malin also served as President of October Films, a specialized distributor of independent film product. Mr. Malin joined October Films concurrent with an investment led by Allen & Company in 1992. He was involved in product acquisition (including the Oscar® nominated films SECRETS & LIES, BREAKING THE WAVES, and THE LAST SEDUCTION), all facets of distribution, and strategic initiatives. In 1997, he helped guide October to a successful sale of 51% of its equity to the Universal Motion Picture Group.
In 1982 Mr. Malin founded Cinecom Films which is known for the Oscar-winning films A ROOM WITH A VIEW and THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, Jonathan Demme's STOP MAKING SENSE, and indie stalwart John Sayles' THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET.
Malin is an adjunct professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business where he teaches a course on the business of film.
About GenArtsGenArts, Inc. is the premier provider of specialized digital visual effects software for the film, broadcast and video industries. As visual effects have become essential to the art of storytelling, GenArts' tools have emerged as the standard for creating breathtaking visual effects in thousands of feature films and television shows, and more than 5,000 commercials and music videos. The explosion of online and corporate video creation has led to the widespread adoption of GenArts software by a range of S&P 500 companies, leading museums, and educational institutions for communications, marketing and learning applications. GenArts' software enjoys the unique distinction of having been a key component of an Oscar-nominated film for the past 14 consecutive years.
The GenArts Sapphire, Monsters, Raptors, Tinder and particle Illusion portfolio equips digital artists with a collection of state-of-the-art visual effects such as glows, light rays, lens flares, film, fire, fluid and particles to create the continually innovative looks that bring the entertainment industry's dazzling stories and broadcasts to life. GenArts' tools seamlessly integrate as software plug-ins into all leading editing and compositing systems. GenArts was founded in 1996 in Cambridge, Mass. www.genarts.com
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