BURLINGTON, Mass., Jan. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avid® (Nasdaq:AVID) today announced key leadership for the Avid Customer Association, a comprehensive initiative designed to provide essential strategic leadership to the media industry. David Mash, Senior VP for Innovation, Strategy, and Technology at Berklee College of Music, has been named Chairman of the Executive Board of Directors. Richard Friedel, EVP and General Manager at Fox Networks, and Dr. Andreas Bereczky, EVP of Technology and Production at ZDF German Television, will serve as Vice Chairmen.

"Over the past few months, the initial response and momentum to the launch of the Avid Customer Association has been overwhelming," stated Louis Hernandez, Jr., president and CEO of Avid. "The Avid community includes the media industry's most highly respected thought leaders, innovators, and storytellers. The ACA has grown to include many of these leaders from around the globe. By working together to navigate the evolving media landscape, we can address the most pressing issues that media professionals are facing today, and produce results that will guide the industry forward."

The Avid Customer Association is overseen and directed by an Executive Board of Directors, and includes Advisory Councils that address specific industry issues including corporate strategy, products and solutions, industry standards and practices, customer success, customer communities, and partners. A number of global industry leaders and visionaries have welcomed the opportunity to participate, including:

• Galal El-Hakeem, Director of Operations, Al Jazeera Media Network
• Zak Tucker, President, Harbor Picture Company
• David F. Alfonso, Owner and Chairman, Todd-Soundelux
• Ron Milkes, Executive Vice President, Endemol
• Janne Yli-Äyhö, COO, YLE
• Max Arteaga, VP of Operations, Televisa
• Paul Nicholson, SVP, Showtime Networks
• Ferry Kesselaar, Manager Technology en Facilities, NOS
• Raymundo Barros, Director of Engineering Entertainment, Rede Globo de Televisao
• Frank Governale, VP CBS News Technology and Operations, CBS
• Mr. Ding, Chief Engineer, CCTV
• Paul Stevenson, Director of Technology and Technical Operations, ITV News
• Dany Harrison, Executive Director of Operation French TV Production and Resources, CBC
• Fred Mattocks, Executive Director of Operation English TV Production and Resources, CBC

The Avid Customer Association will host its inaugural event, Avid Connect, from April 4—6, 2014, at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. This event will mark the first time that the entire Board of Directors and all seven Advisory Councils meet in person.

Additionally, general members will be able to enjoy personal interaction with industry leaders and Avid executives, gain insight into Avid's product direction and strategy, and learn more about the next phase of Avid Everywhere, Avid's vision for the future of the media industry.

Registration details are available at www.avidcustomerassociation.com/register.

About Avid

Through Avid Everywhere, Avid delivers the industry's most open, innovative and comprehensive media platform connecting content creation with collaboration, asset protection, distribution and consumption for the most listened to, most watched and most loved media in the world—from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts and news broadcasts. Industry leading solutions include Pro Tools®, Media Composer®, ISIS®, Interplay®, and Sibelius®. For more information about Avid solutions and services, visit www.avid.com, connect with Avid on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+; or subscribe to Avid Blogs.

© 2014 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid, the Avid logo, Interplay, and ISIS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. The Interplay name is used with the permission of the Interplay Entertainment Corp. which bears no responsibility for Avid products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Final ACA participation subject to change.

CONTACT: PR Contact:

         Avid

         Lisa Kilborn

         978-640-3230

         lisa.kilborn@avid.com