Echo (stylised as ECHO, ) is an accolade by the an association of recording companies of Germany to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The first ECHO Awards ceremony was held in 1992, and it was set up to honor musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1991, succeeding the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis which were awarded since 1963. Each year's winner is determined by the previous year's sales. Winners in the pop category are announced in March; the winners in the classical category in October.