Video Applications (VAI) and Scharff Weisberg (SW) have announced a co-ownership agreement. The agreement creates a new holding company for the existing operations, enabling them to operate independently and work together strategically.
Under the new agreement, Gary Standard, CEO of Video Applications, will assume the role of CEO of the new holding company while Joshua Weisberg, president of Scharff Weisberg, will become president of the
holding company. Both will continue their roles and responsibilities in the operating companies. In addition, Peter Scharff, founder of Scharff Weisberg, will expand his role as director of business development for all entities. Both companies rely on teams with extraordinary lengths of service, and these teams will continue to operate the companies as distinct brands while developing opportunities to work together.
Video Applications is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Based in Tustin, CA, VAI specializes in technical design and production for a wide range of corporate and entertainment events and has amassed a long list of prestigious Fortune 500 clients. VAI pioneered the use of edge-blended projection to create widescreen video displays and has recently introduced a next generation, multi-definition, video package called the Digital Media Hub™. The Digital Media Hub provides facilities for universal ingest, manipulation, conversion, playback and output of all media formats and works in tandem with VAI's recently introduced HD video switching package.
Over a 28-year history, New York-based Scharff Weisberg has grown to be a 100-person company with a wide range of services and an equally wide range of clients. Technology offerings include the latest in video systems, projection and LED systems, convergence technologies, a stand-alone lighting rental business and an audio department with roots that go back to the company's inception. The company has gained the reputation for innovative use of presentation technologies in some of the most challenging applications, whether that is a multi-projector video system for a Tony-award winning Broadway Musical, a lighting package for the MTV Video Music Awards or a multi-channel sound sculpture for an public art exhibit.
Describing the agreement, Gary Standard states, “There’s been a long-standing mutual admiration between SW and VAI, and the more we began to collaborate, the more apparent it became that we shared many common philosophies and goals. On a practical level, this agreement allows us to leverage the capabilities of both companies to provide our clients with not only a broader range of services but an even higher degree of service. Our respective teams will continue to serve our clients as they have in the past but with a more extensive offering and capability.”
Josh Weisberg adds, “While the companies share many attributes, there are numerous areas where we complement each other perfectly. With a strong presence on both coasts Scharff Weisberg and Video Applications will be able to deliver a large array of services to clients more cost-efficiently than before, while building our capabilities to create a truly national, if not international services company.”