Munich, July 23, 2011
What is your profession?
I’m founder and CEO of 3D Impact Media and one of my passions is to bring new ideas to life. I’m 33 years old and have a Ph.D. in law & economics (M&A and Corporate Governance) at University of St. Gallen HSG. I have a broad experience as a strategic consultant to large multi-national companies in different regions of the world. Before founding 3D Impact Media, I was Vice President of DHL for Global Strategies and New Business Development. I have lived in China, South Africa, Peru, the USA and Brazil.
What was the reason to found 3D Impact Media?
For the consumer the reason was the strong need to make 3D glasses-free. For the professional and consumer it was our target to create and engage with cost-sensitive 3D content, which is the bottleneck of today’s 3D industry.
Why did you brand your company 3D Impact Media?
I want to create impact and develop are a multi-media 3D technology company.
Could you describe your company?
We are a small company with a great team of enthusiastic specialist in creating 3D solutions and products. Currently we’re incorporated in Sarnen, Switzerland, which is our headquarter, in Munich, Germany, where is our R&D office, and New York, USA, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, where are our sales offices. But I have the ambition to form 3D Impact Media as the leading technology provider for auto-stereoscopic 3D content solutions in the world. Our current products and services are:
At first 2D-to-3D and 3D stereo-to-3D autostereo conversion algorithms for application either in software, that means 3D editing software for professional or private use, or in hardware, for instance FPGA or Chips for real-time conversion, and solutions as a web-based service. Than universal 3D media player software to playback specific 3D files on any 3D ready device with implemented conversion feature and 3D filter licensing, e.g. to OEMs, for autostereoscopic displays of all sizes.
Can you explain the structure of the company?
The company is lead by me. The legal and financial aspects are handled by our CFO Laurent Mueller. And my brother Beat Kronenberg is responsible for all sales activities in Europe.
What is your relationship to Skycube in Uruguay, which is mentioned on your website? Is it a company of 3D Impact Media?
No, Skycube is our preferred partner company for 3D stereoscopic and auto-stereoscopic content productions, as a service. There are no legal ties in between the two entities, except the service contract of cause.
What are your vision and your target with 3D Impact Media?
3D will be the standard for content solutions in the future. We have the ambition to become the leading technology provider for auto-stereoscopic 3D content solutions in the world.
Describe 3D Impact Media in two years.
We’re one of the leading companies for 3D developments. We’re selling products and services to large media companies and consumer brands in different media applications, from mobile to Internet, from Digital Signage to TV.
Describe the current and future 3D market?
I’m sure that 3D technology is the “hot topic” in the entertainment industry. DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg described 3D as “the greatest innovation in film since color”,[1] while Intel CEO Paul Otellini said: “I think that 3D is the next thing that’s poised to explode in homes.”[2] Although only just started, 3D technology is projected to accelerate significantly in 2011 and 2012. Major consumer electronics brands, e.g. Sony, Samsung, or Panasonic, are launching 3D hardware for the mass consumer market, from cell phones, laptops, to displays and gaming consoles. That consequently leads to a large demand for cost-sensitive, but good 3D content to feed the new devices and engage with the consumers.
What are the USPs of 3D Impact Media and your technologies?
It’s the quality of 3D effect and image quality. Than multi-media 3D, that means not only one segment, which is very important for technology companies and media houses. We have the broadest know-how of all R&D teams in market. There are excellent cases with well-known brands, here we have our proof of concept. And the customization is possible in various areas.
Tell us your most important products and services?
The most important ones are our 3D auto-stereo hardware filters, selected by Sony Europe, Distec Germany and recently Planar (USA). Don’t forget our 3D stereoscopic and auto-stereoscopic media player and transmission technology and the 2D to 3D and 3D stereo to 3D auto-stereo conversion technology, which you can use real-time on mobile, FPGA and graphic cards. You can see a trial on http://www.vero3d.com. And I have to mention our post-production suite for 3D creation, rendering and conversion into any 3D format.
What do you think are your main competitors in the market?
For digital signage our main competitors are Magnetic 3D, Alioscopy, Zero Creative, Dimenco, Tridelity, Visumotion / 3D International. For Post Productions 3D Software I should mention Visumotion / 3D International. And for 3D or “2D to 3D” conversion competitors are Ipont, Stergen, DDD and Fusion3D.
Could you explain us your most important target groups?
The priority group are technology and media companies, e.g. for the internet, mobile, TV and transmission markets. The other target groups are post-production and production houses, e.g. Arri, Plazamedia, Red Bull Media House, Yahoo!, Focus Media, Video Platforms etc.
What are your current clients?
I’m proud to mention Sony, Planar, Distec, Nuance Group and Panel Media Group.
What is your sales strategy?
The company focuses on its R&D activities, utilizing indirect sales channels through partners, mostly under “white labelling” of the products.
What would be the clients of your dreams?
I’m dreaming of Google, Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo!/Flickr, Vodafone, Nokia, Youtube, HTC, INTEL, Acer, Samsung, NVIDIA, Autodesk and more.
[1] Jeffrey Katzenberg, The Independent, May 10th, 2010, Internet:
[2] Source: CNET CES 2010, Internet: http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10429515-269.html.
