Peter Csathy

Current

• President & CEO at Sorenson Media

Past

• CEO at SightSpeed Inc. (acquired by Logitech, Inc.)
• President & COO at Musicmatch (acquired by Yahoo!)
• COO at eNow (Relegence Inc.) (acquired by AOL)

• SVP, Business & Legal Affairs at Universal Studios, Inc.
• Business & Legal Affairs at New Line Cinema & Savoy Entertainment
• Media/Entertainment/Intellectual Property Lawyer at Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker & Private Practice

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Education

• Harvard Law School
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Recommended

3 people have recommended Peter

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Internet

Peter Csathy’s Summary

Seasoned digital media/technology executive with an unbroken track record of company successes (including 3 for 3 successful exits) in emerging growth, growth and Fortune 500 companies. Significant international business experience.

CEO of Sorenson Media, Inc. -- the recognized leader in video solutions that empower businesses and consumers to distribute and monetize their video assets across the Internet. Former CEO of SightSpeed Inc. (acquired by Logitech Inc. in November 2008) -- the recognized leader in video and voice over IP communications, video-based content/community/social networking and commerce. And previously, President & COO of digital music pioneer Musicmatch, Inc. (company was acquired by Yahoo!); and COO of real-time media search company eNow (company was acquired by AOL). Before running digital media/Internet companies, Senior Vice President at Universal Studios and, earlier, business affairs executive at Savoy Pictures and New Line Cinema. Career began as a media/entertainment attorney representing motion picture and music clients.

Education -- Harvard Law School (J.D.) and University of Minnesota (summa cum laude)

Peter Csathy’s Specialties:

Strategy, operations, strategic international business development and partnerships, product development and marketing, M&A, and VC fund-raising across media, digital media and technology (with a vast network of senior executive, VC, press and analyst contacts)

Peter Csathy’s Experience

• President & CEO

  Sorenson Media

  (Internet industry)

  February 2009 — Present (10 months)

  Sorenson Media is widely regarded as being the innovator and leader in high quality video solutions that empower businesses and consumers to distribute and monetize their video assets across the Internet. The company's best in class products include Sorenson Squeeze (the gold standard software application for video compression and encoding); Sorenson Squish (the company's web-based application for video compression and encoding); and Sorenson Spark (the original high quality video codec enabling video to tens of millions over the Internet). Sorenson Media's business partners include some of the world's most innovative companies, including Apple, Adobe, YouTube and Avid.

• CEO

  SightSpeed Inc. (acquired by Logitech, Inc.)

  (Online Media industry)

  December 2004 — January 2009 (4 years 2 months)

  SightSpeed (acquired by Logitech in November 2008) is widely recognized (by PC Magazine, PC World, Frost & Sullivan, Walt Mossberg) as offering the "best in class" video communications services over the Internet (also including voice calling, vlogging tools, video mail, social networking widgets and more); company CEO from December 2005 to the present; advisor from November 2004 previously.

• President & COO

  Musicmatch (acquired by Yahoo!)

  (Computer Software industry)

  March 2002 — July 2004 (2 years 5 months)

  Musicmatch (acquired by Yahoo!) was widely regarded as having been the pioneer and innovator in the digital media/music world, having launched the world's best music jukebox and world-class digital music services, including free and paid Internet radio and music on demand.

• COO

  eNow (Relegence Inc.) (acquired by AOL)

  (Internet industry)

  March 2000 — February 2002 (2 years )

  eNow/Relegence (acquired by AOL) pioneered online video search and the real-time search for breaking news and information.

• SVP, Business & Legal Affairs

  Universal Studios, Inc.

  (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; GE; Entertainment industry)

  March 1996 — December 1999 (3 years 10 months)

  Universal Studios, Inc. is a leading media and entertainment company. My role was SVP, Business & Legal Affairs within the Recreation Group, the group responsible for all out-of-home entertainment such as theme parks, theme hotels, restaurants, etc. I was responsible for negotiating international joint ventures (such as the $2 billion plus Universal Studios Japan park), M&A (such as the acquisition of a controlling interest in Universal Studios Spain), and corporate partnerships (such as with Coca-Cola).

• Business & Legal Affairs

  New Line Cinema & Savoy Entertainment

  (Public Company; 201-500 employees; Entertainment industry)

  June 1994 — March 1996 (1 year 10 months)

  New Line Cinema and Savoy Pictures Entertainment were leading media and entertainment companies.

• Media/Entertainment/Intellectual Property Lawyer

  Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker & Private Practice

  (Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Entertainment industry)

  September 1989 — May 1994 (4 years 9 months)

  Media/Entertainment/Intellectual Property attorney at Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker and in my own practice, representing major media and entertainment clients.

Peter Csathy’s Education

• Harvard Law School

  JD , Law , 1985 — 1988

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

  B.A. , Political Science, Economics , 1981 — 1985

  Activities and Societies:

  Phi Kappa Psi

Additional Information

Peter Csathy’s Interests:

Family, travel, music, sports of all kind

Peter Csathy’s Groups:

Former Board member of Digital Music Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMGI) (acquired by The Orchard in 2007); Board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County

Peter Csathy’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch