NBC Olympics Tech Guru Darryl Jefferson to Receive SMPTE's David Sarnoff Medal Gala will honor 31 key industry executives By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 10:08 am
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The SMPTE Media Technology Summit is set for Oct. 13-16 in Pasadena and one of the highlights this year will be the presentation of the David Sarnoff Medal to Darryl Jefferson, NBC Sports and Olympics, senior vice president, engineering and technology. Established in 1950, the Medal recognizes outstanding contribution to the development of new techniques and equipment for TV engineering.
Darryl Jefferson of NBC Sports and Olympics will be the recipient of the 2025 SMPTE David Sarnoff Medal at the SMPTE annual gala on October 16.
Jefferson is being honored for his visionary engineering leadership and transformative innovations in large-scale broadcast systems as at NBC Olympics and Sports, Jefferson has advanced the frontiers of live television production through pioneering work in cloud-based workflows, IP architectures, and real-time media delivery for global events.
Jefferson's presentation will be part of the annual Awards Gala which will be held on Oct. 16, at the conclusion of the 2025 SMPTE Media Technology Summit. The Gala will take place in the Pasadena Convention Center and will honor 31 individuals and organizations across 14 honors.
I want to congratulate all of this year's award recipients, says Fellows Committee Chair and SMPTE past-president Renard Jenkins. Their dedication to the Society and our industry as a whole is evident through their work and volunteerism. Each and every one of these individuals have had a positive impact on the relevance and longevity of SMPTE. Thank you and Congratulations!
Here are details on the other honorees:
The Progress Medal award honors an individual who has made outstanding technical contributions to the progress of engineering phases in the motion picture, television, or motion imaging industries. This year's recipient is Sir Ian Taylor, in recognition of his decades-long leadership and technological innovation in animation and sports production. As the founder of Animation Research Ltd, Sir Ian has pioneered virtual technologies that have transformed how audiences experience live sports - most notably in sailing, golf, cricket, and motorsports.
The Excellence in Education Medal was established in 2016 and recognizes outstanding contributions to new or unique educational programs that teach the technologies of motion imaging sciences, including emerging media technology. This year, SMPTE recognizes Polly Hickling for her outstanding contributions to developing inclusive and accessible learning pathways in the dynamic field of media engineering. Through her innovative use of nontraditional teaching strategies in both academic and professional settings, Hickling has ensured that learners from diverse backgrounds are engaged, supported, and empowered to advance their careers.
The Workflow Systems Medal was established in 2012 and recognizes outstanding contributions related to the development and integration of workflows that enhance creativity, collaboration, efficiency, or novel approaches to the production, post-production, or distribution process. This year, SMPTE will honor Michelle Munson in recognition of her visionary leadership and entrepreneurial impact in transforming media workflows on a global scale. As the co-founder and CEO of Aspera, she built one of the most influential technology companies in modern media infrastructure - solving one of the industry's most persistent challenges and enabling faster, more efficient, and more collaborative content production and delivery.
The Camera Origination and Imaging Medal was established in 2012 and recognizes significant technical achievements related to invention or advances in imaging technology. This year, the award will honor Dr. Peter Centen for pioneering innovations in image sensor technology that transformed electronic cinematography and broadcast imaging. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Centen played a pivotal role in the industry's transition from CCD to CMOS image sensors, serving as chief architect of the Xensium family that enabled HD, 4K, HDR, and HFR imaging.
The James A. Lindner Archival Technology Medal was established in 2012 and recognizes significant technical advancements or contributions related to the archive or preservation of media content essence. This year, the Medal is awarded to Reto Kromer in recognition of his pioneering contributions to audiovisual preservation through practical, accessible, and forward-looking technologies. A mathematician and computer scientist, Kromer has advanced the field through his work on open-source tools, low-energy conservation methods, and digital workflows - including color space analysis and codec emulation.
The Natalie M. and Herbert T. Kalmus Award honors the recipient by recognizing outstanding contributions that reflect a commitment to the highest standards of quality and innovation in motion picture production, post-production, and distribution services. This year's recipient is Scott Miller for his pivotal contributions to the invention, development, advocacy, and standardization of the Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) transfer function. PQ provides an efficient mapping of absolute luminance levels to human visual perception, establishing a critical foundation for the widespread adoption of high dynamic range (HDR) motion imaging.
The Samuel L. Warner Memorial Medal Award honors the individual by recognizing outstanding contributions in the design and development of new and improved methods and/or apparatus for motion picture sound, including any step in the process. This year's recipient is Ben Burtt in recognit
