Under Mr. Ryder’s direction, Image Metrics transitioned from a facial animation tool-set provider into a highly profitable licensor of advanced virtual try-on and social augmented reality technology. Ron closed pioneering licensing deals with Chinese internet technology giant Baidu, worldwide cosmetics leader L’Oreal, and Australian eyewear company Speqs – all notable for both size and for empowering innovative experiences. Image Metrics became a recognized leader in its field with significant awards for innovation, most notably – a Gold Cannes Lion Awards for their premier work with L’Oreal, a Glomo Award and recognition as one of Fast Company’s “50 Most Innovative Companies in the World.”

Mr. Ryder led Image Metrics through the strategic development and public launch of its LUNAR AR platform in 2019. LUNAR is a scalable platform that gives innovative companies and brands the ability to easily add AR effects to their marketing initiatives, enabling reach into massive audiences.

Mr. Ryder began developing his transaction experience early in his career working for Ernst & Young and later as CFO of Virgin Studios Group where he completed its divestiture to Ascent Media. Thereafter, Mr. Ryder joined Post Logic Studios as CFO, where he successfully raised capital and completed purchases of two multinational subsidiaries; ultimately divesting the company to Prime Focus.

Sterling was based in Shanghai since 2003 as a corporate development and strategic M&A advisor to several private and publicly-traded companies in the media sector.  Sterling guided several China-based media companies through the complexities of the cross-border fund raising process from start-up to IPO and executed several successful rollups on behalf of his clients.

Since moving to Thailand in 2012, Sterling has advised companies in the software, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle and related battery sectors on raising capital, market-entry and local JV setups.

Sterling is currently Asia Director of IQzone a US-based mobile ad platform company with a patented ad unit currently being introduced to the Asian markets and runs a boutique advisory firm based in Thailand focused on domestic commercial real estate development projects.

Prior to Pantek, Gary was the Financial and Business Director for AdLens where he opened the company’s first wholly owned distribution company in Japan, recruited the current CEO and implemented and managed distribution. Also with Adlens, he negotiated full product global joint venture and / or distribution agreements in Russia, Europe and Mexico; and worked with management to obtain product governmental registration in the USA and Russia.

Previous to AdLens, Gary teamed up with the founder of Lenscrafters and took the one-hour optical superstore retailing concept to Europe where he built a profitable business with over 200 stores operating in 16 countries and £170M ($255M ) in sales. As Chief Operating Officer, Gary was responsible for opening 90 optical retail stores in 11 countries in 7 different languages with operational responsibility for all aspects of the business. He accelerated geographical expansion by introducing and managing a 50 store joint venture / franchise initiative resulting in a profitable franchise operation in 3 years.