Visual Data Media Services, a global provider of media services, distribution, and content management, is expanding its media supply chain capabilities with the addition of industry veteran Theo Gluck as director of library restoration and preservation.

A respected film historian and title management professional, Gluck joins Visual Data from The Walt Disney Studios where he was director of library restoration and preservation. He will focus on growing Visual Data Media Services’ restoration business to serve the increasing global demand for diverse media across multiple platforms.

“It’s rare to have a conversation about restoration without Theo’s name coming up,” said Steve Spear, SVP global media operations for Visual Data. “His exceptional level of technical knowledge and creative depth paired with his unique ‘studio perspective’ make him an ideal fit for our restoration servicing team and ensures we are well positioned to meet our clients’ needs.” 

Gluck’s expertise combined with technologies like Visual Data’s MatchMaker scanning and Dolby Vision HDR/UHD remastering workflows will offer content owners and distributors a comprehensive suite of media services.

“Theo’s knowledge and expertise in restoration and preservation is second to none,” said John Trautman, CEO, Visual Data.  “As we continue to broaden and enhance our media supply chain capabilities, we will look to Theo, who has been instrumental in establishing the foundation for restoration, to help us engage with the industry and deliver on our mission to provide a truly customer-centric experience.”

Since its founding by Trautman in 1995, Visual Data has delivered quality end-to-end media solutions including restoration, remastering, content management, digitization, digital cinema mastering, dubbing, translation, localization and more. The company maintains its commitment to supporting customers at every stage of the supply chain and has continued to build on its leadership position with a recent partnership with Endeavor Capitol.

“There’s never been a better time to be in this business and Visual Data is at the forefront of thought leadership for content preservation and distribution,” Gluck commented. “Audiences have so many distribution platforms and content viewing options to choose from. That opens the door to new creative possibilities for preserving, presenting and delivering the titles people want to see, and I’m looking forward to working with the team at Visual Data to drive innovation around audience demand for content.”  

Gluck is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He sits on the Academy’s Science and Technology Council and serves as chairman of the council’s Technology History Subcommittee. His longstanding professional affiliations include the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society (BKSTS) and the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA).