Neighbors to Receive Career Achievement Award at CineAsia

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Tue, 11/15/2022 - 10:54 -- Nick Dager

Bill Neighbors, chief content officer at Xperi, will receive a Career Achievement Award at CineAsia, December 8 during the Annual Awards Ceremony at the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok. Xperi invents, develops, and delivers technologies that enable extraordinary experiences delivered via its brands DTS, TiVo, HD Radio, and Imax Enhanced.

Bill Neighbors, chief content officer at Xperi, will receive a Career Achievement Award at CineAsia, December 8 during the Annual Awards Ceremony at the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok. Xperi invents, develops, and delivers technologies that enable extraordinary experiences delivered via its brands DTS, TiVo, HD Radio, and Imax Enhanced.Neighbors began working for DTS in 1993, where he helped pioneer the modern cinema audio experience. Today, he continues to play an integral role in the success of DTS, and by extension, Xperi, which prides itself on inventing, developing, and delivering technologies that create extraordinary experiences every moment of the day for millions of consumers around the world.

Neighbors was instrumental in making Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film Jurassic Park the first DTS film. The company then was a newcomer in the cinema surround sound space and the film was the break the company needed. DTS digital sound technology showcased in Spielberg’s groundbreaking film, elevated the heart-pounding viewing experience. DTS is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.

“Hard working and respected by everyone in the industry, Bill’s record in our industry speaks for itself,” said Andrew Sunshine, President of The Film Expo Group.  “He has had a tremendously accomplished career and we could not have thought of a more deserving Career Achievement Award recipient for 2022 as DTS celebrates 30 years in the business.”

DTS is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.Neighbors received his Bachelor of Science in business with an emphasis in Finance from California State University at Northridge where he also pursued extensive studies in economics and music. He began his career in a Fortune 100 company in corporate finance, then gained experience in the defense electronics manufacturing sector. 

Neighbors was then hired as the general manager of a leading entertainment electronics design and manufacturing company, supplying professional audio equipment to the TV broadcast industry. There, Bill oversaw the manufacture and distribution of equipment to news and sports outlets, such as ABC, NBC CBS, MLB, NFL, PGA, and the Olympics. During his tenure, Bill grew the company to twice its size.

Following his stint in the TV broadcast industry, Neighbors was recruited to work alongside Terry Beard, the inventor of DTS®Digital Audio technology, to lead the startup of DTS. Only four months after the company’s formation, on June 11, 1993, DTS launched in more than 850 cinemas and changed the motion picture audio experience forever. The company quickly grew the DTS footprint to over 20,000 screens. It’s no wonder that in 1996, DTS was an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical honoree, winning a Scientific and Engineering Award (Technical Achievement Award) for the design and development of the DTS Digital Sound System for motion picture exhibition – a recognition only bestowed upon individuals and companies whose discoveries and innovations have contributed in significant and lasting ways to motion pictures.

During Neighbors’ tenure, DTS has maintained a leadership position in digital sound for cinemas and expanded its position in pro audio production tools, consumer electronics and automotive.

Within the past decade, he oversaw the launch of DTS:X immersive audio for cinema and guided the expansion of DTS:X in Asia and other worldwide markets. Neighbors has also spearheaded additional corporate expansions, including that of Imax Enhanced and streaming platforms.