Frost & Sullivan Honors Thomson With the Digital Media Company of the Year Award
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 16, 2004) -- Frost & Sullivan has acknowledged the contributions to the media industry of Thomson, a provider of end-to-end solutions (technologies, equipment and services) to the entertainment industries, with the Digital Media Company of the Year Award. The award was announced during the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Global Excellence in Information & Communication Technology Awards Banquet last night.
In presenting the award, Frost & Sullivan cited the overall industry leadership that Thomson Broadcast & Media Solutions has shown over the past two years. Having successfully integrated a number of strategic acquisitions made by Thomson, and having smartly targeted hundreds of millions of dollars in research into and development of digital media technologies, Thomson Broadcast & Media Solutions is now the world's second-largest broadcast and TV/film equipment innovator and manufacturer. [an error occurred while processing this directive] Frost & Sullivan also cited Thomson's market share leadership in the video server market for broadcasters for the past three years, and its focus on meeting the needs of broadcasters, regardless of their facility and market size.
Specifically, Frost & Sullivan cited the introduction by Thomson of its TV Station in a Kit(tm) Series earlier this year. The pre-configured kits consist of core digital products for studio, mobile and news production, and have a starting price of less than EUR 60,000 (US $69,000). They include proven products from Thomson's Grass Valley line, including digital cameras, network attached storage (NAS) systems, intelligent video digital recorders (iVDRs), switchers, routers, nonlinear editors, automated news playback systems and modular devices.
"Thomson has perfectly tailored these packages to expand its premium brand Grass Valley products prized by large broadcasters into other markets including small- to mid-market broadcast facilities, studios, sports arenas, corporate and university media centers, and mobile production trucks," said Mukul Krishna, Frost & Sullivan industry analyst.
In the future, the Grass Valley TV Station in a Kit Series will integrate technologies originally developed for consumer and enterprise use, enabling the streamlining of broadcast and professional video organizations.
The price breakthroughs of the Grass Valley TV Station in a Kit Series initiative are driven by the rapid integration of low-cost video processing, IP networking and off-the-shelf IT technologies. Such integrations have also resulted in Thomson's recent introduction of affordable digital cameras, routers, switchers and digital news production products -- as well as a whole new class of product, the intelligent digital video recorder, a VTR replacement device.
Thomson is also focused on meeting the requirements of broadcasters' increased demand worldwide for support as they produce more digital and high-definition content. Today, the company offers the industry's broadest portfolio of multi-format cameras, switchers, routers, modular, server and storage products for broadcasters, TV and film production and other video professionals.
"Throughout this rapid restructuring process, Thomson has remained focused on product innovation, customer satisfaction, market expansion and brand integrity," noted Krishna. "As a result, over the past nine months alone, it has introduced more than 20 new products and has received two Emmy(R) awards for innovations in its camera and video server and digital news production lines."
With a large customer service group of more than 300 people, Thomson Broadcast & Media Solutions offers a unique, combined service/shared resource/systems team, providing end-to-end solutions and driving overall systems quality. Its customer relationships include those spanning decades with the world's media giants -- News Corp., Disney/ABC, GE/NBC, CCTV in China, ABC and the Seven Network in Australia, RAI in Italy, TF1 in France and BBC in the United Kingdom.
About The Award
The Digital Media Company of the Year Award is presented based on factors such as the company's business development, competitive strategy and customer service leadership within a marketspace. The recipient company has exhibited outstanding management, consistent growth and provided high-quality products and services, coupled with the ability to combine technology and successful marketing. It has taken advantage of market changes by capturing and solidifying market presence, or through execution of innovative strategies within the existing competitive landscape.
Held in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Frost & Sullivan banquet honored world-class companies for outstanding performance and achievements in the information and communication technology industry. An annual event, the banquet recognizes the quality and merit of these distinguished individuals and companies.
About Thomson
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453) (NYSE:TMS) provides a wide range of video (and enabling) technologies, systems, finished products and services to consumers and professionals in the entertainment and media industries. To advance and enable the digital media transition, Thomson has four principal divisions: Content and Networks, Consumer Products, Components and Licensing. The company distributes its products under the Technicolor, Grass Valley, THOMSON and RCA brand names. For more information, please visit www.thomson.net.
About Frost & Sullivan
Founded in 1961, Frost & Sullivan is recognized as a global leader in growth consulting. Frost & Sullivan Awards are presented to companies that demonstrate excellence in their industry, commending the diligence, commitment and innovative business strategies required to advance in the global marketplace. Frost & Sullivan rigorously analyzes specific criteria to determine award recipients in a vast variety of market industries and landscapes. For further information, visit www.frost.com.
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