Digital Cinema pioneer attracted by Laser Light Engines` opportunity to drive
innovative solid-state light sources for large venue projection
SALEM, N.H.--(Business Wire)--
Laser Light Engines, developer and manufacturer of ultra-high brightness,
laser-driven light sources has hired Doug Darrow, former general manager of
Texas Instruments` DLP Cinema® Division to serve as chief executive officer.
"Doug`s experience developing the Digital Cinema market is unparalleled," said
Jiong Ma, principal, Braemar Energy Ventures, and director of Laser Light
Engines. "His leadership will be invaluable to the continued progress of Laser
Light Engines."
Mr. Darrow succeeds Bill Beck, Laser Light Engines` co-founder, who will remain
active in the company as executive vice president, business development. "We
started Laser Light Engines two years ago to bring the benefits of high
brightness, energy efficient solid-state laser illumination to Digital Cinema
and other large scale projection applications. Having demonstrated our
technology, it is now time to drive commercialization and widespread adoption,"
said Mr. Beck. "We are all very pleased to have one of the most experienced
players in the industry to lead the next phase of the company`s growth."
Laser Light Engines combines advanced laser technology with high volume
manufacturing processes to provide high brightness, energy efficient, long
lifetime, color-controllable light sources for demanding illumination
applications worldwide. The company is developing solid-state light sources for
2D and 3D Digital Cinema and other large venue projectors. Laser Light Engines
will produce light sources that have three to five times the brightness, 100
times the life and half the power consumption of arc lamps, the incumbent
technology. The company will manufacture a light source module that can be
incorporated into a standard Digital Cinema or advertising projection system.
"I am very excited to be joining the Laser Light Engines team and look forward
to bringing high brightness laser engines into the market," said Mr. Darrow.
"These innovative solutions have many advantages that promise to revolutionize
large screen applications."
Prior to joining Laser Light Engines, Mr. Darrow spent twenty-three years with
Texas Instruments. His most recent role was in the DLP Cinema® Products Division
where he led all marketing for the division, as well as its effort to develop
break-though solutions for Digital Cinema. He played a key role in changing the
entertainment industry, driving digital movie distribution and transitioning the
theatrical industry away from its 100-year old film format. A leading expert on
the future of movie distribution and 3D, Mr. Darrow has been a featured panel
member at CES 2009, a keynote speaker at 2008`s ShoWest and a recipient of that
event`s "Digital Cinema Pioneer Award."
Laser Light Engines' investors include Braemar Energy Ventures and Harris &
Harris Group.
About Laser Light Engines
Laser Light Engines designs, develops and manufactures OEM laser-driven light
engines that enable broad new product categories. The company`s advanced solid
state lighting combines advanced laser technology with high volume manufacturing
processes to provide high brightness, long lifetime, energy efficient, and color
controllable light engines for demanding illumination applications worldwide.
Laser Light Engines was recently named to the 2009 AlwaysOn OnHollywood Top 100
Private Companies list, which honors the best up and coming companies in digital
media and entertainment.
Laser Light Engines
Bill Beck, 617-290-3861
beck@laserlightengines.com
or
CJP Communications
Gina Sorice, 212-279-3115 ext. 243
gsorice@cjpcom.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
