Liberty sweeps Euro 50 awards

Liberty Global swept Digital TV Europe’s Euro 50 Awards, taking home three prizes last night, including gongs for Industry Leader and Technology Leader.

Mike Fries receiving the Industry Leader award from DTVE's Andy McDonald

At a gala dinner in London’s Meridien Piccadilly hotel at the close of the second day of Cable Congress, Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries – who recently oversaw Liberty’s US$23.3 billion (€17.2 billion) planned buyout of Virgin Media – was on hand to pick up the Industry Leader prize.

Among the other big winners, Neil Berkett, Virgin Media’s outgoing CEO, took the Digital TV Europe award, in recognition of his exceptional individual contribution to the pay-TV industry.

Meanwhile Abe Peled, senior vice-president, strategy, video and collaboration group at Cisco Systems, was given the Lifetime Achievement award to honour 20 years in the pay TV industry.

Balan Nair, Liberty Global’s chief technology officer, picked up the Technology Leader award, while Marketer of the Year went to Peter Dörr, managing director of strategic marketing, sales and customer service for Liberty.

Former iPlayer boss Anthony Rose took home the Digital Innovation Award for his role as co-founder and chief technology officer at Zeebox. The content Executive prize went to Bruce Tuchman, president of AMC/Sundance Channel Global.

Abe Peled - Lifetime Achievement award

Virgin Media's Neil Berkett with the Digital TV Europe award

Liberty Global's Balan Nair and Peter Dörr