MUMBAI: A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented on 9 March to Joan Warner, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Radio Australia, in recognition of her outstanding commitment and contribution to the development of digital radio broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The presentation will take place at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This event is organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and will run from 9 to 11 March.

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) represents 99 percent of all commercial radio broadcasters in the country. Ms Warner was responsible for the planning, rollout and implementation of digital radio for commercial radio broadcasters across Australia.

Joan Warner played a leading role in bringing together both the Australian commercial and public broadcasters to achieve an all of industry DAB+ switch on. Ms Warner's lobbying of the Federal Government resulted in securing Band III spectrum for Australian broadcasters and radio industry management of the allocated spectrum. Australia now has more than 55 digital radio stations on air with the signal covering nearly 60 percent of the Australian population. Successful implementation in Australia has provided a new impetus to digital radio in the Asia-Pacific region.

As CEO she also oversees the whole of industry marketing campaign, Radio Codes of Practice, audience survey contracts and industry copyright agreements. Ms Warner is responsible for the annual National Commercial Radio Conference, Siren Creative Awards and Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

Ms Warner has worked at senior executive levels in the private and government sectors and holds four degrees including a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Education.