Sony has been making some interesting strategic decisions lately.

In a move that will bring Hollywood’s newest technology to New Jersey, Montclair State University has entered into a strategic alliance with Sony Electronics, one of the world’s and the state’s technology leaders. The agreement puts into place a long-term plan to enable the University’s communication and media students to gain real-world experience and get a high-tech preview of their future careers. The University’s new School of Communication and Media building, currently under construction on the 252-acre, suburban New Jersey campus, will provide a facility where Sony will offer industry professional training similar to what is offered at its Digital Motion Picture Center (DMPC) on the lot of Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. Slated for completion in spring 2017, Montclair State’s new School of Communication and Media building will have the distinction of being one of the most extensive 4K studio and production facilities in the country located on a university campus. It will include studios and classrooms, as well as a theater outfitted with Sony laser projectors, studio cameras, production switchers and monitors. The strategic alliance between Montclair State and Sony, however, extends far beyond the equipping of this new state-of-the-art building.

Though they won’t be yielding any fruit from this in the short term, Sony is empowering a creative community that will learn and create on their equipments. Particularly in Hollywood, we see it time and time again where directors and talents champion things they grew up with like the love for 35mm film that J.J. Abrams & Quentin Tarantino share. This loyalty also extends to where they’re likely to set up shop which could allow Sony Pictures in the feature to more easily scoop up talent.

Similar to Sony’s DMPC operation in Hollywood, the Montclair State facility will be a training and educational resource, with cutting-edge 4K facilities available to students and production professionals in every aspect of the creative process. Sony will use the space to host business development events, conduct training and promote new technologies, establishing Montclair State University as a preferred environment for Sony’s introduction of new products, technologies and services relating to television, film, media and higher education. Additionally, Sony will enable Montclair State communication and media students to attend the annual National Association of Broadcasters conference and will create internship, mentoring and training opportunities for them. Sony technologies are also used by professionals in a range of b-to-b applications and markets, including live event and sports production, faith, government, education, and healthcare.

More after the jump.

Alec Shapiro, president of Professional Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics:

The alliance with Montclair State is a perfect match for Sony’s long-standing commitment to the education community, providing media and communications students with training and hands-on access to professional technologies. The relationship between the two organizations dates back nearly a decade to the University’s early use of Sony HD equipment. Now, the growing demand for 4K content and for future professionals trained in 4K workflows – combined with Montclair State’s forward-thinking approach to education – created the perfect opportunity to build this unique facility and industry resource.

In February, Sony Pictures announced their intention to build a Hollywood-themed family park. Like the move above, I don’t foresee this having any immediate impact on the company’s prospects and more about a long term play.

Discuss:

Do you think strategic investments like this will pay off for Sony in the long term?

[Via BroadcastBeat]