Honorees at the SMPTE awards include Polly Hickling, Carys Hughes, and Russell Trafford-Jones
The SMPTE Awards Gala, set to take place in October 2025, will honour 31 individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to the field of media technology. Among the recipients are Darryl Jefferson and Sir Ian Taylor, who have made significant strides in media engineering and technology.
Darryl Jefferson has been awarded the David Sarnoff Medal for his visionary leadership and innovations in large-scale broadcasting. His work, particularly in cloud-based, IP, and real-time media delivery, has been instrumental in international events such as the Olympics.
Sir Ian Taylor, on the other hand, has been honoured with the Progress Medal for his leadership and technological advancements in animation and virtual technologies. His work has revolutionised audience engagement in live sports such as sailing, cricket, and motorsports.
Polly Hickling, a renowned educator in the field of media engineering, will receive the Excellence in Education Medal. Hickling's innovative teaching strategies have ensured that learners from diverse backgrounds are engaged, supported, and empowered to advance their careers.
In addition, Scott Miller will receive the Natalie M and Herbert T Kalmus Award for his contributions to the Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) transfer function. Reto Kromer will receive the James A Lindner Archival Technology Medal for his work on audiovisual preservation, particularly in open-source tools, low-energy conservation methods, and digital workflows.
Michelle Munson, co-founder and CEO of Aspera, one of the most influential technology companies in modern media infrastructure, will receive the Workflow Systems Medal for her leadership and entrepreneurial impact in transforming media workflows on a global scale.
Moreover, four individuals will be honoured with the Citation for Outstanding Service to the Society: Zandra Clarke, Bill Hogan, Jim DeFilippis, and Ujwal Nirgudkar. Thirteen new SMPTE Fellows will also be recognised, including Carolyn Giardina, Carys Hughes, and Russell Trafford-Jones.
The prestigious Camera Origination and Imaging Medal will be presented to Dr Peter Centen for his pioneering innovations in image sensor technology, which have transformed electronic cinematography and broadcast imaging.
Steve LLamb will receive the Excellence in Standards Award for his leadership and contributions to the SMPTE Standards Community. Renard Jenkins, Fellows Committee chair and SMPTE past-president, congratulated this year's award recipients for their dedication to SMPTE and the industry.
The awards highlight achievements in advancing engineering techniques and equipment in television, motion picture, and related fields, reflecting SMPTE’s mission to promote technical brilliance and creative passion in media technology.
[1] SMPTE Awards Gala to take place in October 2025 [4] Awards to honour achievers in media engineering and technology [5] SMPTE recognises 31 individuals and organizations with 14 prestigious awards
- Darryl Jefferson's innovations in cloud-based, IP, and real-time media delivery have been influential in the entertainment sector, especially in international events like the Olympics, showcasing the impact of media technology on lifestyle and general-news.
- Sir Ian Taylor's work on animation and virtual technologies, which has revolutionised audience engagement in various sports events, exemplifies how technology has expanded the horizons of entertainment and transformed the way we consume media infrastructure.
