Guy's Blog

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: GUY FINLEY (Director of Community Development) started his career in the entertainment industry as a successful performer and producer, making music with industry giants such as Phil Ramone, Elliott Scheiner, and Dave Grusin. Guy joined the home entertainment industry as President of LFA, Inc., providing home video brand and business consulting services for a worldwide clientele. His firm represented JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.) in North America licensing the loading and duplication of VHS videocassettes bearing the VHS Logo Trademark. He became the Director of Operations for CDSA (then IRMA, International Recording Media Association) in 2005 where he pioneered the Daily News Portal, co-chaired the EPCglobal Item Level Tagging Public Policy Steering Committee and helped form the Plastic DVD Packaging Standards Committee (authoring the standard used to certify packaging plants around the world).

Latest Blog Posts

DiscMail Direct Launches!

June 14, 2010

Industry Coalition Formed To Promote Direct Mail Applications For Optical Media

DiscMail Direct to Advance Direct Marketing Use of CD, DVD, and Blu-ray


NEW YORK: DiscMail Direct, an industry coalition representing leading manufacturers, packagers and creative services companies involved in the use of optical media for direct mail applications, has been announced. The group has also joined the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to advance this new digital advertising alternative.

The group, which includes those companies that created the manufacturing and fulfillment infrastructure for today’s $40 billion home entertainment market, will focus its efforts on educating marketers, ad agencies and brand managers about the latest technology advancements and response rates of DVD, Blu-ray and CDs as complementary direct-mail mediums to print and online marketing.

“Recent cost efficiencies in direct-mail optical media have led to several compelling case study success stories as well as an increased number of marketers who are already integrating DiscMail into their standard assortment of direct mail tools,” says DiscMail Direct Director Guy Finley. “DiscMail is digital advertising packaged for postal delivery. It converts any mailbox into a digital inbox. It combines the measurable analytics of digital advertising with a physical product that captivates and communicates to consumers.”

DiscMail Direct is under the direction of industry leaders including Arvato Digital Services, Cinram, Fusion 92 and Sony DADC. In cooperation with the DMA it is launching the industry’s first optical media direct mail research study and to educate marketers about the features of this unique physical-digital media product that combines the benefits of print-mail messaging with an interactive, web-enabled consumer experience.

DMA Senior Vice President Ken Ebeling adds, “Direct marketers are always seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to reach potential customers, improve response rates and ultimately enhance campaign effectiveness with increased ROI. We are eager to help our membership explore the benefits of this and other advanced marketing tools. DMA fully supports new media and advocates for keeping all marketing channels as open as possible.”

DiscMail Direct is managed by the Media & Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA), the trade association that represents the world’s leading manufacturers, packagers and service providers for the home video, video game and music industries. By using the same technology and supply chain skills and tools traditionally used by entertainment companies worldwide, in
partnership with established direct mail marketers, MESA intends to create an entirely new category of direct mail on optical disc.

For more information about DiscMail Direct visit www.DiscMailDirect.com or contact Guy Finley directly at: finley@discmaildirect.com or by calling: 1 (917) 513-5963

Global Polymers Announces MESA Membership

July 1, 2009

DVD Recycling Leader To Help Advance Industry Sustainability Agenda

Global Polymers, the home entertainment industry’s leading, certified destruction, closed-loop recycling, and sustainability specialist, has announced its membership in the Media and Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA). Last year the company securely destroyed and recycled over 6 million lbs. of material for the home entertainment industry, resulting in a savings of over 22,000 cubic yards of landfill space, 35,000 barrels of oil, and 2,300 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

As a member of MESA, Global Polymers will participate in all programs related to establishing best practices for secure, sustainable recycling programs for the home video, video game and music industries. With over 15 years of experience in plastics, Global Polymers has the depth of market knowledge, technical expertise and logistic capability to not only securely destroy these sensitive materials, but to also find the most environmentally sustainable solutions for the material.

“Studios have unique requirements for a recycling service provider and Global Polymers has a longer track record and more established processes than any other service provider in this market segment. We have taken a leadership role in delivering closed-loop recycling solutions for home entertainment, automotive and consumer products and we are eager to introduce all content holders to the benefits of our systems and solutions for recycling their packaging and media materials,” said Global Polymers President Barry McRoberts.

MESA, a global alliance of service providers to the entertainment industry, assists its members in developing efficiencies in the creation, production and distribution of physical and digital media and entertainment. MESA utilizes partnerships with service providers, content holders, and other industry trade associations to generate dialogue and improvements in the industry’s workflow and supply chain processes.

Global Polymers will be participating in a closed-loop recycling/certified destruction summit in Los Angeles in early September to create an open industry dialogue about proven separation/sorting and closed-loop recycling methods and opportunities.

“We have spent two years fine tuning our recycling programs and processes, and are pleased to offer our expertise to the home entertainment industry,” comments McRoberts. “By partnering with MESA, we feel that we now have the right platform to share what we have learned and expand sustainability and recycling in the digital media Industry!”

For more information about Global Polymers, contact Barry McRoberts at 502-425-1133, barry@globalpolymerscorp.com or visit www.globalpolymerscorp.com

For more information about MESA’s upcoming recycling and returns summit, contact Guy Finley at 917-513-5963, guy@MESAlliance.org or visit www.MESAlliance.org

ESCA – In The News!

June 29, 2009

An incredible two days – packed with relevant information and attended by the who’s who in home entertainment – ESCA was a huge success! Over 330 people came to the event and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about the conference program, the venue, and kudos to both DEG and MESA who co-produced the event.

Here are some of the highlights that hit the trades (many thanks to our media partner’s Video Business on their comprehensive coverage). A recap with some bonus materials from the conference will be posted to the ESCA website soon!

Guy Finley, Program Manager, ESCA

ESCA: Home entertainment industry turning deeper green

Date: Jun 24, 2009 | Author: By Marcy Magiera

ESCA: Home entertainment industry turning deeper green PHYSICAL: Speakers update…goal of 5% to 10% further reduction. In a Wednesday morning session at ESCA, task force representatives recapped a series of sustainability achievements…

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6667319.html

ESCA: Blu-ray will be 50% of market by 2012

Date: Jun 24, 2009 | Author: By Susanne Ault

ESCA: Blu-ray will be 50% of market by 2012 PHYSICAL: Futuresource predicts…visited Sony’s [BD Live Web] portal,” Garvin said during a Tuesday ESCA session moderated by Video Business’ Marcy Magiera. “That’s very, very encouraging…

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6667297.html

ESCA: Packaged media superior to electronic

Date: Jun 23, 2009 | Author: By Susanne Ault

ESCA: Packaged media superior to electronic PHYSICAL: Panel says compatibility…Art Hair, chief technology officer at Walt Disney Studios, said during the ESCA session moderated by Variety’s David Cohen. “And we improved its portability…

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6667060.html

ESCA: 3D will take longer to arrive in homes

Date: Jun 24, 2009 | Author: By Susanne Ault

ESCA: 3D will take longer to arrive in homes PHYSICAL: Panelists say lack of technology, standards, will slow releases By Susanne…

ESCA: Blu-ray is the Future

Blu-ray.com: June 24, 2009 by Josh Dreuth

At the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy Conference yesterday, many industry representatives openly commented on the current state of Blu-ray, almost unilaterally agreeing that Blu-ray is still the future of home entertainment.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6667307.html

For Most at ESCA the Future is Blu

Home Media Magazine: June 23, 2009 by Chris Tribbey

ESCA: Most of the speakers at the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy Conference June 23 were upbeat about Blu-ray Disc.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/blu-ray-disc/-most-esca-future-blu-16159

ESCA – DEG Operations Committee To Open 2009 Academy

June 9, 2009

Execs in Charge of Studio Supply Chain To Address Today’s Challenges and Opportunities

A panel discussion sets the stage for this year’s Entertainment Supply Chain Academy by gathering members of the ESCA Advisory Board and DEG Operations Committee to discuss the biggest challenges they’ve already conquered, are addressing now, and will potentially face.

How has the economy changed delivery and returns strategies? What will their supply chain look like in five years? This important session provides a forum for an informative Q&A about collaboration along the entire supply chain for home entertainment.

The session, which will open the conference on the morning of June 23rd at the Luxe Hotel in Los Angels will include the following panelists: Doug Reinart, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Paramount Home Entertainment; Aodan Coburn, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Tom Emrey, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Home Entertainment; Steve Dahl, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations and IT, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; and Dan Miron, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Supply Chain Management, Warner Home Video

The session will be moderated by Theodore Garcia, Media & Entertainment Lead, North Highland.

To register and for full program details visit:
www. entertainmentsupplychain.com

ATTENTION VENDORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS: Take advantage of the 50% early bird discount price on registration before June 12!

MESA unites BD service providers

May 14, 2009

On May 13th MESA held a meeting with the Blu-ray service provider community at the Variety offices in Los Angeles. Companies attending either in-person or online included:

3rd i QC, BluFocus, Cubist Media Group, Deluxe Digital Studios, GDMX, IDMA, Metabeam, Sofatronic, Testronic Laboratories, Trailer Park, and Van Ling Productions.

As a follow-up to the Blu-Breakfast held in February, MESA brought together the leading companies in the creative, authoring, testing and BD-J application development community for Blu-ray Disc. After the February meeting, the group divided into three specific workgroups: Funtionality, Workflow and Technical and appointed committee chairs for each workgroup.

This meeting dealt specifically with the Functionality Workgroup whose mission statement is as follows:

To assist in educating the studios on the possibilities of the BD-Live platform and to make best practice recommendations on cost effective strategies moving forward. Specifically, we hope to define a common experience for consumers that leaves room for creativity and differentiation and to explore revenue generating models/application/examples.

A robust discussion about Blu-ray applications, their interoperability, and how best to market both the applications themselves and the companies creating these vital components to the Blu-ray format ensued.

Look to the MESA website for continued updates and announcements from this group of innovators. If you are involved at any point along the supply chain for BD production contact MESA to get involved.

Entertainment Supply Chain Academy Announced!

March 23, 2009

www.entertainmentsupplychain.com 

“MAXIMIZING HOME ENTERTAINMENT SALES & PROFITS IN TURBULENT TIMES”

The entertainment supply chain is center stage in Hollywood as studios and their partners retool to maximize profits in  today’s turbulent economy.  This year’s ESCA is, thus, more important than ever as a platform for proven solutions, new directions and innovative developments.

 More sales and more profits will be the code-words for all sessions, while the conference itself is organized to focus on the three most critical areas for today’s studios and their service providers:

  • Build Blu: will present ways to increase sales and profitability of the new format while growing consumer satisfaction for the HD media buying experience.
  • Go Green: will identify how sustainability is both an ecological and economical issue that impacts the entire physical media supply chain. 
  • Focus on the Future: will explore opportunities that utilize existing and  emergent technologies to generate ROI for partners in both physical and digital home entertainment.

WHAT’S NEW?

  • Breakouts and working groups: providing attendees more time for  networking and “solutions-oriented” meetings, demos of new and cool enabling technologies
  • Reduced studio pricing: full conference pricing as well as reduced pricing for a single session(s); studios and group rates
  • No media rule: all sessions will be off the record to encourage panelist/presenter candor and audience participation

MESA Launches Blu-Breakfast Series

February 12, 2009

On Feb. 12 Media and Entertainment Services Alliance brought together the Creative/Authoring/Testing community for a breakfast discussion about Blu-ray and BD-Live.  The first in a series of workgroup  meetings, the event drew the top companies who provide these types of services to Hollywood.

After a lively discussion of the opportunities and challenges for the format, the group agreed there was a specific need for increased collaboration to build efficiencies along the supply chain within the industry.  The group has segmented into three workgroups to develop ideas and work together on actionable items that are relevent to their customers.

Collaboration is a fundamental part of MESA’s strategic plan.  To bring companies together in innovative ways, allowing the community to self-evolve according to their company’s needs, at a pace that makes them comfortable, is a valuable service to our member companies and their partners. 

If you are interested in learning more about the MESA Blu-Breakfast series or would like to become involved, please feel free to drop me a note at guy@MESAlliance.org or visit our group on LinkedIn to receive regular MESA updates.

Let the collaboration begin!

GameDaily BIZ exclusive interview with Jeff Klemp of Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery

February 2, 2009

As a company that deals with both DVD movies and video games, Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery has a unique perspective on the supply chain and the challenges that interactive entertainment have presented. GameDaily BIZ recently had a chance to pick Klemp’s brain about some of the issues currently facing the supply chain in the video game industry. Here’s the brief Q&A:  Jeff Klemp Interview

Jeff Klemp is the Senior Vice President of Operations Midwest and Supply Chain Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery, managing over 900 retail stores in the Midwest and is responsible for all global supply chain operations.

Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony React to Year-End NPD Report

January 16, 2009

The console makers have responded to the December and year-end sales results, and all are seemingly pleased.

See the full article on the GameDaily website:
Go to Source

Blu-Con Raises The Bar

December 1, 2008

Blu-Con takes place next week, Monday, December 8th at the Beverly Hills Hotel and marks the first conference organized specifically to address the production and distribution of Blu-ray Disc.  As Program Director I have spent the past few months meeting the introductory players in the emerging service provider segment for BD and BD-Live.  There has been a single underlying current in almost all the conversations I’ve had while programming the workshop and that would be the importance to raise the bar beyond what this esteemed group of companies has already delivered with DVD.  The irony is not lost on the fact that Blu-ray itself (as a technology standard and format) is all about raising the bar…better picture quality, better sound quality, increased storage capacity  delivered through a sophisticated internet connected player.  And, ultimately, the BD-Live connection will only raise the bar in the amount of related information and fresh content that can be accessed by the consumer literally transforming the home entertainment experience.  With this in mind, we decided to raise the bar on how the event will be communicated to the industry, how the presenters will interact with the audience, and deliver an incredible amount of information that will be conveyed in a single intense day. 

This event will be an unprecedented gathering of the Blu-ray community.   The entire supply chain for the format will be represented.  From the manufacturing side, we will have authoring, testing, replication and packaging and on the studio side we’ll have the creative teams behind the initial content creation process to the marketing teams driving the finished product, no stone will be left unturned.  To have all of these minds in one room focused on innovation and collaboration will mark the beginning of an industry working together to ensure that Blu-ray is a commercial success and, on a personal level, a sound business decision for their respective companies and careers.

As Director of Community Development for MESA I am confident that the Alliance will play a vital role in connecting the dots between service providers and will continue to provide the venue and forum to help make Blu-ray the shining star we know it will be.  It is the service provider’s role to deliver the best product possible to the entertainment community, via a sound and sustainable business model, so the entertainment community can then deliver the final product to the consumer.  We are an essential element to this format’s success and will only serve our customers better by being prepared for every, and any, scenario that is thrown our way (even those that may shatter the traditional technology approaches currently used by DVD).

I feel that Blu-ray has raised the bar and the bar is being met…I feel that Blu-Con has raised the bar and the bar is being met…I feel that MESA has raised the bar and will also rise to meet your expectations.  As the bar continues to be raised, we as an industry are will meet these heightened expectations (and this includes all aspects of the multitude of Media and Entertainment supply chains).  The future is ours to determine and deliver.

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