Perry Oosting is to step down as CEO of Hasselblad “by the end of this month” and will be returning to a role as advisor to the Board. He is probably going to be most famously remembered as the CEO who saved Hasselblad, taking it from a disastrous period where it drifted from its legendary roots as a maker of great medium-format cameras and started to simply rebrand other cameras by adding fancy and expensive handgrips — to the creator of the first medium-format mirrorless camera (X1D) that got the whole market all excited again about the Hasselblad brand.
Photographers became so enamored with the Hasselblad X1D and placed so many pre-orders that the company, already short in cash, had to seek major funding from Chinese drone maker DJI, which quietly became a majority shareholder.
Paul Bram, currently Advisor to Hasselblad, has been appointed to Interim CEO. He apparently “comes from an engineering and product background with a vast knowledge in managing a product-centric company.” He will probably be eventually appointed as permanent CEO, pending DJI’s approval. I also believe DJI is incredibly smart to quietly stay in the background and let Hasselblad do its thing, so as not to affect the incredible marketing power of that brand.
The following video presents This is Hasselblad X1D:
“The world’s first compact mirrorless digital medium format camera.
Weighing less than half that of a conventional digital medium format camera, the mirrorless 50MP camera is a game changer in the world of photography.
Inspired by our iconic design heritage, the camera is ergonomic and compact, offering a handling experience unlike any other. Handmade in Sweden, the X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance.
Small enough to take anywhere, powerful enough to capture anything.”
PRESS RELEASE
2017-01-27
Hasselblad announces change of management structure
Hasselblad, the leader in high-quality professional medium format cameras today announced that Perry Oosting, CEO, will step down from his role by the end of this month.
Having guided Hasselblad to stability, strong sales as well as the partnership with aerial camera company DJI, CEO Perry Oosting has accomplished what he was asked to achieve and has decided to step down from his operational responsibilities and return to a role as advisor to the board.
“We would like to thank Mr Perry Oosting for his extraordinary efforts. Under his leadership a foundation for future growth is established and the company has extended its customer base substantially,” said the Supervisory Board.
“In the beginning of 2015 I was asked to take the role as CEO to secure sustainable growth and prepare the business for the next steps in its development. During 2016, we launched several new products and a complete new electronic platform. The market reaction to the strategic direction and its products were overwhelming. I would like to thank all involved and foresee a bright future for the team of Hasselblad.” said Perry Oosting.
Perry Oosting
The Board of Directors has, effective as of Feb 1, appointed Paul Bram, currently Advisor to Hasselblad, as Interim CEO.
“We are happy to announce Mr Paul Bram as an interim CEO. Paul is coming from his position within Hasselblad as Advisor and has a vast leadership experience from his time at Ericsson and Gambro,” said the Supervisory Board.
“I am honoured to take on the role as interim CEO for this iconic and much-loved company. Hasselblad represents outstanding quality, passion for fine art and pioneering technology. Over the coming months we will continue the started path and strategic direction, including accelerating R&D and software development in Gothenburg, Sweden. Going forward I am immensely proud to be part of this continuing journey.” said Paul Bram.
Paul Bram
About Hasselblad
Founded in 1941, Hasselblad is the leading manufacturer of medium format cameras and lenses. Handmade in Sweden, Hasselblad cameras are renowned for their iconic ergonomic design, uncompromising image quality, Swedish craftsmanship and high performance. For over half a century Hasselblad cameras have captured some of the world’s most iconic images – including the first landing on the moon – and helped shape the way we look at the world through genuine photographic artistry. Trusted by NASA and used by the greatest photographers in the world, Hasselblad continues to create products with uncompromising image quality that inspire.
The Hasselblad H Camera System with its professional lens family and unique advancements is widely acknowledged as the most comprehensive digital camera system of its kind available today. Hasselblad was the first to launch the fully integrated medium format camera system incorporating the latest in CMOS sensor technology. In 2016 Hasselblad launched the H6D, a technological feat with an all new electronic platform, delivering superior craftsmanship and image quality. Later the same year, Hasselblad introduced the world’s first mirrorless digital medium format camera – the X1D.
Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the cameras are handmade, Hasselblad is a global brand with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Copenhagen and Hamburg with distributors throughout the world.
For more information, visit Hasselblad online: www.hasselblad.com
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– Hasselblad X1D-50c Medium Format Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only)
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– Hasselblad X1D Shoulder Strap
– Hasselblad X1D Camera Front Cover for X1D-50c
