Digital Media Veteran Peter Csathy Joins Manatt As CEO Of New Manatt Digital Media Ventures

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, today announced that digital media veteran and serial entrepreneur Peter Csathy has joined the firm as CEO of Manatt Digital Media Ventures, a division of Manatt Digital Media, which offers innovative full-service legal and business consulting services.

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In his role as chief executive, Csathy will draw upon his experience as a successful operator, and media industry executive to provide strategic business counsel, mentoring, dealmaking and evaluation of potential opportunities for Manatt's growing digital media client base of every size and stage of development – from startup to growth-stage to mature public companies. Csathy's hiring is a reflection of the significant opportunity the firm sees for its clients in the increasingly multi-screen world where consumers can be reached anytime, anywhere.  

In a separate release published today, the firm announced the creation of Manatt Digital Media, which will be led by prominent media attorney T. Hale Boggs. To view that release, visit http://manattdigitalmedia.com/single-news.aspx?id=264.

"I am extremely excited to join this dynamic firm during a time of such rich opportunity for major media and entrepreneurial digital media companies," said Csathy. "I was drawn to Manatt and Hale's unique and bold entrepreneurial vision for its digital media practice. Many firms claim to be specialists in digital media, but most offer one-dimensional traditional legal services, and very few have a deep legacy steeped in media. We absolutely look to disrupt that current conventional, cookie-cutter approach by offering a one-stop shop for the richest, most innovative and connected professional services for the benefit of our digital media clients, including artist access and venture capital." 

"We are delighted that Peter has decided to lead Manatt's aggressive expansion and evolution in the digital media and entertainment arena," said T. Hale Boggs, chairman of Manatt Digital Media. "As a successful business executive and industry thought leader, he offers an unmatched combination of breadth and depth of experience to our firm and the clients we serve. I have no doubt that Peter's vision and direction will enable us to extend the scope of our practice and our overall leadership in entertainment, advertising and digital media."

Csathy brings more than 25 years of diverse industry experience in virtually all facets of the entertainment and digital media industries. He has led several digital media companies that achieved significant exits, including social video chat company SightSpeed (acquired by Logitech in 2008) and online music company Musicmatch (acquired by Yahoo! in 2004). He also served as COO of eNow (later acquired by AOL-Time Warner). Most recently, Csathy served as president and CEO of online video innovator Sorenson Media, where he led the company through a period of its most rapid growth, industry recognition, product expansion and strategic partnerships, including with Shutterfly, Sony, Avid and RealNetworks. Csathy will continue to serve on Sorenson Media's board of directors. 

Csathy's hands-on operational experience includes VC fundraising, M&A, strategy, strategic partnerships, marketing, product development, finance, and team-building. A noted digital media thought leader, he was selected to serve on a technology commission that made recommendations to the Obama administration. Csathy has been frequently featured as a guest writer in the most influential digital media and venture blogs, including TechCrunch, The Huffington Post and Fast Company, as well as his own highly regarded Digital Media Update blog. He is also a regular speaker at major conferences, including NAB and CES.

Csathy began his career as an entertainment attorney for a major international law firm, where he practiced media and entertainment law. He later served as general counsel and a lead business negotiator for a multibillion-dollar division of Universal Studios. Csathy also worked as a senior business and legal affairs executive at New Line Cinema and Savoy Pictures, where he structured and negotiated motion picture and television distribution agreements and talent deals. In the field of music, he represented numerous artists, including the controversial rap group N.W.A. Csathy is a graduate of Harvard Law School and clerked for the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Hawaii.

Csathy serves as a mentor of the Founder Institute and as a board member of several nonprofit organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego and the Giving Tree Movement. He also is a founder and principal in FM3, a youth and social-cause-based music festival that is currently in development for launch in late 2014.

About Manatt Digital Media

Manatt Digital Media is a full-service digital media platform created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, whatever the size or stage of the company, from startup to growth-stage to mature public companies. Manatt Digital Media uniquely offers a one-stop shop of professional services that is grounded in the legal and business experience of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, one of the world's most respected law firms in the media, entertainment and advertising industries. Manatt Digital Media offers its clients differentiated value and impact in multiple forms and across the life span of their companies – from venture capital to strategic relationship-building and artist access to business consulting and creative deal-making, including content licensing, distribution and M&A. For more information, visit www.manattdigitalmedia.com.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

CONTACT:

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