Nickerson leaving Warner high-def post
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 8/24/2007
AUG. 24 | Warner Home Video’s high-definition czar Steve Nickerson will exit the company at the end of September to pursue other opportunities, said Mark Horak, the studio’s executive VP/general manager of worldwide operations and new packaged media.
Nickerson, who joined the studio in 2000 as senior VP of market management and managing director/general manager for Australia and New Zealand operations, will be replaced by Dorinda Marticorena. Nickerson transitioned to WHV senior VP of worldwide high-definition during the last couple of years.
Currently VP of kids and sports marketing, Marticorena has been promoted to the senior VP of high-def post and will move into her role upon Nickerson’s departure. Reporting to Horak, Marticorena will take the reigns in WHV efforts to promote the mainstream adoption of high-def formats.
WHV spokesman Jim Noonan said that Nickerson’s leaving doesn’t suggest an upcoming shift in the studio’s high-def operations. With Paramount Home Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation now HD DVD-exclusive, WHV is the only major studio to produce high-def titles in both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
“This is not about a change in strategy,” Noonan said. “This is completely his call, and he will be missed. He is smart and a workhorse.”
Nickerson did not specify his next endeavor but expressed gratitude for his time at WHV.
“While it is always hard to leave a company like Warner Bros., this rare opportunity was unexpected, but it is exactly the sort of job that I have long wanted to do, so I did not feel I could let it pass,” said Nickerson. “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from the many creative and smart people there.”
Prior to teaming with WHV, Nickerson worked for a number of years at Toshiba in various sales and marketing positions.
“It has been my pleasure to work closely with Steve over the last seven years, and all of us at Warner Home Video wish him success in his new career,” said Horak.
Over the next month, Nickerson will help Marticorena transition to her new gig. She joined WHV as director of marketing, kids entertainment, in 2001.
“I look forward to immediately collaborating with my domestic and international colleagues in this new role and doing all that is necessary to ensure success of the high-definition format in their markets as quickly as possible,” she said.
