Graffeo to leave high-def post at Universal

[Blu Titan]

As reported by Blu-ray insider Penton-Man over a week ago, Graffeo will leave Universal. Not my favorite personality from the format war, but I don't rejoice when someone loses his/her job. Penton and Max write kindly about Graffeo, and they know him on a personal level. Heres' the article:

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 3/26/2008

Graffeo

MARCH 26 | Following the death of HD DVD, one of the format’s gurus, Ken Graffeo, will leave his high-definition marketing role at Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Although still employed at Universal, where he has served as executive VP of HD strategic marketing since early last year, Graffeo is exploring other opportunities, including ones outside of the studio. He didn’t specify a timetable for when he’ll make a final decision of whether to leave Universal.

Conceivably, Universal will need an executive to drive the marketing of its forthcoming titles in Blu-ray Disc, which the studio started backing exclusively shortly after HD DVD’s demise.

However, Graffeo said he will not take on a Blu-ray role at the studio, which could be comparable to his responsibilities for HD DVD. That sort of transition wouldn’t work because in recent months, Graffeo had become more entrenched in his additional role as head of the HD DVD Promotional Group and less involved with handling specific Universal titles. The HD DVD Promotional Group dissolved on the heels of Toshiba’s February announcement that it was ending its support for its HD DVD hardware.

“I was setting up that infrastructure [of the HD DVD Promotion Group] on a day to day basis,” said Graffeo. “And now that group is no longer in existence. … Now I’m looking at what my different options are and what my next moves will be.”

Although Blu-ray title sales outsold HD DVD titles on a two-to-one basis through much of last year, Graffeo aggressively promoted the HD DVD format. Under his charge, Universal rolled out the industry’s first title enhanced with e-commerce capabilities, the Oct. 9 HD DVD release Evan Almighty.

Universal hasn’t specified how it will operate its Blu-ray business going forward, and it has not announced its first releases in the format. It appears that the studio is still figuring out how a Blu-ray unit and/or executives will fit into its company and what their functions will be.

Prior to his high-def role at Universal, Graffeo served as executive VP of marketing.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article...?desc=topstory

[Sylin]

Not a fan of Graffeo. Penton and others might think he's a decent guy outside of the court of public opinion, but IMHO his business tactics are a step above shady, and his methods are sloppy.

Saw this coming WAY back after CES when he was vapor on the press circuit following all the anti-HD DVD announcements.

Good riddance.

[cartman781]

About time

[pokerface]

Good night and Good luck Mr. Graffeo.

Somehow I doubt he will have to eat hot dogs every night.

[Marcusarilius]

A positive sign in that when he was the HD DVD VP, they never produced many HD DVD movies for the format. Need movies released. Not a board with meetings and no action. Hopefully the next guy will be far more proactive and kick some ass in the BD HD market place! High Hopes! Good find!

[jadedeath]

It's a sad sad day around here for me.

Now what HD-DVD shilling retard am I going to poke fun at endlessly?

Logan

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

It's a sad sad day around here for me.

Now what HD-DVD shilling retard am I going to poke fun at endlessly?

Logan

All past now. Time for the bright constructive future we have been waiting for!

[JasonR]

http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=68882

I told Lee, don't care if I get banned.

[cartman781]

Originally Posted by JasonR

http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=68882

I told Lee, don't care if I get banned.

Nice Did you just sign up to rip him. I see you only have 1 post over there

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by cartman781

Nice Did you just sign up to rip him. I see you only have 1 post over there

Sure did.

[cartman781]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Sure did.

Well by the looks of that thread alone, it looks like he had it coming

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

It's a sad sad day around here for me.

Now what HD-DVD shilling retard am I going to poke fun at endlessly?

Logan

You can always visit eproductwars.com and leave a message for Mike Hd.

[aiman04]

[Zyclone]

i wish him luck on his future works god speed G man.

[Marquoz]

Pretty sure he will end up with a cushy job, but good luck to him in his future endeavors.

[mystiksuicide]

The man was paid to do a job and he did it to the best of his abilities. Let's hope he can one day direct his talents in the blu direction.

[WickyWoo]

You can always visit eproductwars.com and leave a message for Mike Hd.

REmind him he owes me a player smashing video and at least 5 minutes talking about what a tool he is, how right I was, and how stupid he was to ever think HD DVD could win on youtube will you? He hasn't been returning my PMs over at AVS for some reason

I love LS's spin. Penton was wrong because he's "leaving his postiion", and not fired

Is anyone actually fired in Hollywood? You pretty much have to be caught sleeping with the cast of Kindergarten Club for them to use the word "fired"

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

REmind him he owes me a player smashing video and at least 5 minutes talking about what a tool he is, how right I was, and how stupid he was to ever think HD DVD could win on youtube will you? He hasn't been returning my PMs over at AVS for some reason

How odd. It's almost as if he doesn't have any integrity.

An HD DVD shill with no integrity. Wow, it's hard to comprehend.

Gary

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

The man was paid to do a job and he did it to the best of his abilities. Let's hope he can one day direct his talents in the blu direction.

Or not.

[Rabidhunter]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

The man was paid to do a job and he did it to the best of his abilities. Let's hope he can one day direct his talents in the blu direction.

Yeah, I agree, it's too bad that he had to push the inferior format. He did the best he could with what he had to work with (which amounted to a hill of crap). Too bad that he couldn't have supported Blu.

I hope that Universal picks up steam here and that they don't take too long forming this team. There's a lot of movies that I would want released from them.