11th Media Diamant for ‘broadcast innovator’ Martijn Swart

posted:

27/05/2019

Left to right: Jack Plooij, Martijn Swart, Olav Mol

On June 6, ‘broadcast innovator’ Martijn Swart (43) will be awarded a Media Diamant (Media Diamond), the widely appreciated Dutch award and recognition for employees behind the scenes of television, radio and online media who excel in talent, dedication, passion and craftsmanship. Martijn was surprised by Dutch F1 commentators Olav Mol and Jack Plooij after the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. As co-owner of Broadcast Rental, Martijn is closely involved in the live connections that the company provides around Formula One. Totally surprised, Martijn received a letter from Olav Mol from Mayor Mr Pieter Broertjes of Hilversum with the message that he will be awarded this honourable prize.

Martijn Swart started his career 20 years ago at CineVideo Group (now United, part of Euro Media Group), where he quickly grew into a Video Editor & Tape / LSM operator. He emerged as one of the driving forces behind 'tapeless' working in the Netherlands and the transition from Digital Betacam tapes to file based production. In 2005 he continued a freelancer and made his knowledge available to other companies in the role of operator and consultant in which he travelled all over the world.

For EVS, he was responsible, among other things, as a workflow architect for the innovative and tapeless approach of FOX Sports Eredivisie in The Netherlands. In 2009 he advised Geert Paul Slee when he started his company Broadcast Rental and in 2013 he became CTO of the company. Martijn and his team were responsible for countless technical achievements in Holland and abroad: from wireless cameras hidden in the KNVB (league) cup, on the stage with U2 or live radio and television from a hot air balloon for Talpa Radio. For the Formula 1 broadcasts, Martijn improved an existing remote workflow that is used by no less than seven international broadcasters.

With the Media Diamant, recognition is given to those working behind the scenes of radio, television and internet. In 2015 the first Media Diamant was awarded to Assistant Director Ilse Pollen. Hereafter the honour went to Senior Sound Engineer Theo Rutten, Senior Radio Engineer Paul Raaijman, Project Assistant Juliet Wagenaar, Senior Cameraman Peter Bakker, Floor Manager Tommy Byrne, Colorist Xandra ter Horst and Grippers Wouter Visser and Berto Oude Veldhuis. The prize consists of a plaque, designed by Anneke Schat, which is placed on the Diamond Wall in the Media Park in Hilversum.

The Media Diamant of Martijn Swart will be unveiled on Thursday 6 June during the It’s a Wrap party at the Media Park.

The Media Diamant Foundation was established in 2016 to guarantee the continuity of the Media Diamant in the coming years. The Media Diamant is supported by the Municipality of Hilversum and a group of donors.