Christie’s cinema business in EMEA has been boosted with a series of internal management appointments. Adil Zerouali, Regional Director for Eastern Europe becomes Cinema Sales Director – Europe. Meanwhile Richard Nye, Cinema Sales Director EMEA, will become Regional Director in Christie’s South African office.
As a result of the moves, Christies EMEA Cinema business will be split into two regions. Europe and North Africa (French speaking) will be headed up by Adil whilst the rest of Africa and Middle East will be overseen by Richard. Adil will continue to manage the Eastern European office in Hungary as well and all markets in the EE region along with Christie’s existing cinema teams covering France, DACH, Italy, Spain and the Nordics.
The team is further bolstered by Phil Lord, who returns to the UK from our South African office where he was Territory Manager Africa Manager to become Cinema Lamp Sales, EMEA.
“These appointments strengthen our cinema offering across EMEA even further,” said Simon Smith, VP of EMEA. “It is no exaggeration to say that we have cinema veterans across the territory who – between them – have led the movie and cinema industry through a transformation into digital technology and who bring unparalleled experience in the industry.”
Certainly, Christie’s EMEA management line-up has played lead roles in the modern history of cinema.
Simon paid tribute to Richard Nye for, “Transforming Christie cinema in EMEA and taking us to the heights of major cinema deployments involving himself with VPF contracts as well as new diverse customers. Richard has challenged himself and Christie to deliver in what were very demanding times as the race to switch from analogue to digital gained remarkable pace.”
Similarly Simon welcomed Adil’s new role: “I am delighted to announce the promotion of Adil Zerouali to Cinema Sales Director – Europe. “It’s been a fascinating journey for Adil who, for those who didn’t know, started as a service engineer supporting 35mm film back in 1999.”
Whilst cinema moved to digital, Adil moved from Christie Luxembourg to Paris to form a dynamic team with Pascal Gervais, to establish a strong presence which remains in place today in the French market before setting up the Eastern European operation and building his team in the Hungarian office to achieve further success , not just in cinema, but also across the range of Christie’s products.
“I feel truly honoured, to take on the mantle,” says Adil “Cinema technology has evolved and now we’re looking to embrace more advances in technology as we bring new levels of brightness with laser light and, of course, have introduced ribbon driver sound quality with Vive Audio.”
Of Phil Lord’s new role, Simon commented, “This represents just how much we are committed to our lamp business in EMEA. Phil brings with him great experience of the cinema business in South Africa and this will help him to take Christie’s lamp business to new levels by driving sales and opportunities throughout the EMEA region which he is now responsible.”
Phil commented that his time in Africa had been remarkable adding, “I made many friends, will be maintaining relationships I have made and am thoroughly looking forward to establishing our foothold further in the lamp side of the business.”
Chris Connett, meanwhile, who joined Christie last year after 16 years at Dolby has been making great strides establishing Vive Audio as the new standard for cinema sound.