T3 - Tech 100

Working for Sony and the BDA.

Heading up the Blu-ray Disc Association of Europe, Leibbrandt has been handed the tough task of ensuring Blu-ray sales increase, especially after the initial hype the format received in the infamous ‘format wars’ of early 2008.

In addition to leading the Blu-ray drive in Europe, he’s also kept busy as Sony’s senior manager of technology marketing, but he’s still kept one eye on other areas of the market. “You can’t really escape what Apple has done in the 3G smartphone and applications market”, he told us, however home cinema is where his true passion lies.

“As part of the film industry, I am really excited by 3D HD movie watching becoming a reality in the living-room”, but until 3D telly arrives here, he’s more than happy with his 46-inch Bravia LCD, which is “the ideal partner for making the most out of all the brilliant Blu-ray films that are being released”. He’s ever the marketing man.