In January 2011, Dr Hans Hoffmann, currently Programme Manager in the EBU Technology and Development Department at the EBU Headquarters in Geneva, became the first European for nearly 40 years to be elected as Engineering Vice President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. This is SMPTE's most senior engineering post.

The SMPTE is acknowledged to be the most important and active organization in the world developing standards for programme making technology.

The SMPTE has a worldwide membership, and has been responsible for developing standards for the television production and cinema industries for over 80 years.

The SMPTE has been responsible for many of the technical standards used for programme making today, including the MXF file formats and many others. The broadcasting world looks to the SMPTE to bring together programme makers and equipment manufacturers to agree formats which make it possible for different manufacturers equipment to work together.

The EBU has a long and close relationship with the SMPTE, and formed a joint Task Force in 1996 which was largely seen as kick starting the use of information technology in programme production. Hans Hoffmann led part of the work of the Task Force, and has been working in the SMPTE on behalf of the EBU ever since that time. He has served in many posts in the SMPTE, and is currently a Board Member as Regional Governor for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Central & South America. He relinquishes this post, taking up the SMPTE’s senior engineering post for an elected term.

Lieven Vermaele, Director EBU Technology and Development said "The EBU is honoured in the confidence that SMPTE members have shown in one of the team.   I believe it demonstrates our competence, and reflects our commitment to standards".   

Dr Hoffmann remarked:  “There are many  important standardisation challenges facing the broadcast community, my job as Engineering Vice President will be identify them and encourage SMPTE members to work together to solve them”.