Belinda Merritt has joined FilmLight as West Coast Sales Manager, USA. Merritt, who has more than two decades of experience in post production, will oversee sales and marketing efforts in the western United States for the company which design and manufacturer film scanning, colour grading and colour management technology. Providing ongoing support for current customers, Merritt will also seek to develop new clients and new markets, and will report to Craig Risebury, President of FilmLight Digital Film Technology, the North American unit of London-based FilmLight Ltd.
Merritt’s appointment is part of FilmLight’s effort to expand its sales and support resources for its growing North American client base. The company is coming off a record quarter for sales and has experienced particularly high demand in key markets in the United States. “We want to capitalize on the rising demand for our Baselight colour grading system in the U.S.,” Risebury said. “We also see a good opportunity to take our Northlight 2 scanner to the next level and to expand the market for Northlight 1, particularly for restoration work.”
Risebury added that Merritt’s presence will allow him to focus more on emerging markets in Central America, South America and Canada. “Belinda is the ideal candidate to lead our sales effort in the Western U.S.,” Risebury noted. “She has tremendous experience, a thorough knowledge of the customer base and a wonderful reputation throughout the post production industry.”
Merritt previously headed her own sales and management firm, Belinda Reps. Her clients included MTI Film, Talon Data Systems and Light Source & Imagery. Her background also includes senior sales positions with LA Studios/Margarita Mix, Pixel Magic, Hollywood Digital and The Post Group. Merritt’s experience spans virtually every aspect of post production and includes a thorough grounding in visual effects, commercials, feature film marketing, and the DI process.
Merritt said that the quality of FilmLight’s products and its excellent reputation made it an irresistible opportunity. “FilmLight has an excellent product base and one that is very well conceived—each product complements and supports the others,” she said. “It is also a very close knit organization of experienced, dedicated professionals who work very well together. I am very happy to be part of the team.”
Merritt sees opportunities to develop FilmLight’s customer base both in the key Southern California market and elsewhere. “There are a number of market segments, including editorial houses and trailer companies, that are showing increased interest in adding high level scanning and grading technology,” she said. “There is also an increasing amount of post production work going on outside Hollywood, in San Diego, San Francisco, the Pacific Northwest and Las Vegas. Our products are natural choices for companies in those markets seeking superior, cost effective tools.”
Contact – Deepa Parbhoo ([email protected]) +44 20 7292 0400
