Synamedia, the Permira-backed firm being created from Cisco’s Service Provider Video Software Solutions business, has appointed Jean-Marc Racine as chief product officer and General Manager of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia (EMEAR).
Racine will be reunited with former Canal+ Technologies colleague Yves Padrines who will be CEO and incoming chairman Dr Abe Peled.
The transaction is now expected to complete in the first half of Cisco’s 2019 financial year.
“Jean-Marc’s strong track record speaks for itself. As a media industry leader who combines proven commercial acumen with deep technical understanding, Jean-Marc will help Synamedia thrive as a private, independent entity,” said Padrines.
Racine has extensive experience in the broadcast media technology sector. His consultancy with Farncombe Technology and more recently Cartesian has given support to clients implementing next-generation hybrid TV platforms and adopted cloud models. He began his career as a video compression research engineer at Philips laboratories and later held a number of senior executive roles at CANAL+ Group in Europe and the United States.
Alongside his role as Synamedia’s General Manager of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, Jean-Marc will also have global responsibility for product management and marketing.