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Emiel N. Petrone, Executive Vice President of Philips Electronics Corporate Alliance Group, who played a key role in the introduction of new entertainment technologies ranging from Compact Disc to DVD, has died. He was 61.
Petrone died on August 23 at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a brief illness. During a career at Philips and PolyGram spanning more than 30 years, Petrone was a key figure in the entertainment industry and played a significant role in consummating agreements for major film studios and record labels for new technologies. During the launch of DVD, Petrone worked alongside top movie industry executives to establish DEG: the Digital Entertainment Group, a consortium of nearly 50 content providers, technology companies and retailers to support DVD and other new digital formats. Until his death, he served as Chairman of the DEG. His focus on the cooperation between hardware and software industries became a model for successful format introductions.
A pioneer in the consumer electronics, music, home video and multimedia industries, Petrone was no stranger to new entertainment technologies. In 1982, he headed the U.S. team that introduced the Compact Disc digital audio system for PolyGram, helping to establish PolyGram as the leading U.S. supplier of Compact Disc titles. During that time, Petrone created the Compact Disc Group of America, bringing together 40 leading consumer electronics manufacturers and record companies to develop innovative strategies to increase consumer awareness of the audio CD. The Compact Disc Group set industry precedents and fueled retail and consumer confidence in the CD standard.
Petrone is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marilyn; his mother, Mary; a brother, Frank; and a sister, Anne; and a nephew Peter Cicale, Jr. A native of New York, Petrone had lived in Los Angeles for 32 years.
A memorial service for Petrone will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 26 at Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, 90068
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