MUMBAI: Gary Johns has rejoined Sony Electronics as vice president of its digital cinema systems division. A 25-year Sony veteran, Johns spent the last four years as a consultant to Sony in various areas including digital cinema market development and digital sound licensing.

Sony Electronics’ Broadcast and Business Solutions Company, President, John Scarcella said, “Gary‘s experience and his knowledge of the motion picture industry make him the ideal person to lead our Digital Cinema Systems Division to continued success in transitioning the motion picture industry to digital.”

Johns commented, “This is an exciting time for the motion picture industry and for digital technology overall. More exhibitors are realizing the benefits of digital projection, especially SXRD 4K technology, and I’m looking forward to playing a larger role in Sony’s efforts.”

Until 2002, Johns was president of Sony Cinema Products Corporation, a worldwide organization that provided digital sound systems (SDDS) to motion picture exhibitors.

Prior to that position, he spent three years in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, as director of business and industrial strategic marketing for Sony’s Broadcast and Professional Europe (BPE) organization. In this role he was responsible for marketing, product management and business activities, working with the managers of country operations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Johns was instrumental in Sony’s shift from country-based operations to a European-wide operation, and he played a key role in establishing a ‘business team’ approach, with each country contributing to a common decision-making process.