By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: Sony Australia has announced the appointment of a new senior product manager to its Bravia marketing team. At the same time, the Japanese supplier has confirmed that deputy general manager Toby Barbour will now oversee the entire Bravia product team.

Formerly with the Sony Corporation, Seiichi Osao is the new addition to the Sony Australia Bravia marketing team. He has over three years experience in the Asia Pacific region as a product planner for Sony Bravia.

“Sony has been responsible for introducing some major TV technology innovations in Australia in recent years, and in my role with Sony Corporation, I enjoyed watching this market and the interest Australian retailers and consumers have taken in our range,” said Osao.

“With more technological developments unveiled at the recent IFA event in Berlin, particularly in the 3D TV space, this is an interesting time for the TV industry. I am looking forward to being part of the ongoing evolution of television in Australia. As we know, people’s needs differ so what’s very important for me is to ensure we match our TV range to the right Australian customers.”

The new head of this division, Toby Barbour, is responsible for Sony Australia’s strategic direction across TV, the retail channels, technology communincation and business development. In his new expanded role, he will control the introduction of a number of new TV technologies, including 3D and IPTV.

“Australians have quickly and readily adopted HD TV, with one in two Australian households having access to an HD LCD TV[1]. In addition, internet penetration is very high and more than half (53%) of Australians have already made the switch to digital television[2]. We see these factors as a positive sign that viewing IPTV entertainment directly on their HD TV will greatly appeal to Australians,” said Barbour.

“While the future for TV is definitely exciting, there are also some amazing opportunities in the short term, with a further increase in digital TV take-up expected and the World Cup 2010 just around the corner.”