• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, February 25, 2009

Big Stage Entertainment, a startup that produces three-dimensional software for users to integrate their own images into digital entertainment, has appointed Patrick Barry as vice president of content alliances.

In this newly created role, Barry will be expected to drum up new partnerships with media and entertainment companies. According to Barry, the wind at the company's back is consumers' increasing demand for ever-more personalized media experiences.

"I will be reaching out to innovative and forward-thinking media and entertainment companies that want to capitalize on the personalization phenomenon, whether through commercial or promotional application," he said.

Barry most recently served as senior director of corporate development and strategy for the North America media and entertainment unit at SK Telecom.

Big Stage's software lets consumers project themselves photo-realistically into movie scenes, television shows, video games and social networks.

Phil Ressler, the company's recently appointed president, just raised $3 million, which added to the startup's existing venture stores of $8 million.

Founded in South Pasadena, Calif., two years ago, Big Stage's software grew out of government-sponsored research into facial recognition software at the University of Southern California. USC eventually licensed the technology to Big Stage for commercial use.

Barry previously held senior new media roles in digital distribution, licensing and syndication for brands including American Idol and Speed Racer, and served as vice president of business development at Brilliant Digital, a Web animation firm.