Sony has teamed up with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) to launch a new broadcasting industry award which recognises innovation and excellence among the ABU’s developing broadcasters.

The inaugural ABU Developing Broadcasters’ Excellence Award will be conferred on members from developing broadcasters in the ABU who have made engineering contributions of excellence to the broadcasting industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

The award comprises a commemorative trophy and a fully-paid fellowship to carry out a study tour to Sony’s main technology centre in Japan, or any other prestigious institution under the leading broadcast equipment manufacturer.

Sony will sponsor the award for an initial period of two years, starting this year.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the determined efforts of passionate industry professionals from developing regions, especially those who are always hungry to push the envelope of broadcasting excellence,” said Chris Grey, General Manager, Broadcast & Content Creation Solutions at Sony’s Professional Solutions Company.   “The award is greatly in line with Sony’s own spirit of staying at the forefront of technology and making significant contributions to the industry.”

ABU Secretary-General Javad Mottaghi has told radioinfo: “Sony and the ABU will make this an award of great prestige. We hope this award becomes a catalyst for further developmental work with our members.”  

The recipient of this year’s inaugural award will be announced at the 2013 ABU Technical  Committee meeting in Hanoi, and the award will be presented at the ABU Awards Presentation Ceremony at this year’s General Assembly.