Arbitron wins Emmy Award for Broadcast Audience Measurement Technology.

Arbitron, Inc. was awarded an Emmy Award for Broadcast Audience Measurement Technology last night at the 61st Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards, held during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Arbitron was honored by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its innovative technology, the Portable People Meter (PPM), noting the significant impact that this technological advancement has had on television audience measurement. The PPM service is an objective, passive electronic measurement system which employs a small mobile phone-sized device that travels with an individual and keeps a record of their exposure to encoded audio.

“Arbitron is honored that the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has recognized our contribution to the advancement of media measurement,” said Michael Skarzynski, Chief Executive Officer and President at Arbitron Inc. “Media consumption is evolving and it’s becoming more important than ever to understand the role all media play in individual consumers’ lives. Arbitron’s PPM technology gives broadcasters the capability to focus on individual consumers, wherever and whenever they access encoded media.”

“These are truly dynamic and exciting times for the television industry, and these Emmy Award winners were rewarded for their significant impact in enhancing the consumer viewing experience,” said Herb Granath, Chairman, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “Of this esteemed group, we are pleased to commend technology and engineering professionals who contribute to the on-going development of technology that revolutionizes television.”

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has presented the Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering /Technical Development since 1948. For the fourth year, the Awards will be presented at the International CES.

Awards are presented to an individual, company, or to a scientific or technical organization for developments and/or standardization involved in engineering technologies which either represent an extensive improvement on existing methods or are so innovative in nature that they materially have affected the transmission, recording or reception of television.

“This award would not have been possible without the dedication of our growing community of more than 50,000 panelists across the U.S.,” said Skarzynski. “It’s their commitment to carrying the PPM device that allows us to give media and advertisers the insight they need to make intelligent business decisions.”