SCEI and Sony announce Executive Management Transition at Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
TOKYO, JAPAN, April 26, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and
Sony Corporation (Sony) have jointly announced today that Ken Kutaragi,
Representative Director, Chairman and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.,
will retire from his executive position at SCEI effective June 19, 2007, when SCEI’s
annual shareholders’ meeting will take place. Mr. Kutaragi will pass on the torch to
the next generation, stepping back from his executive management responsibility of the
company to serve as Honorary Chairman of SCEI.
With his deep and instinctive insight into future technology, Mr. Kutaragi will also
continue to support Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation, as
senior technology advisor.
Concurrently, Kazuo Hirai, currently President and Group COO, SCEI, will be
promoted to President and Group CEO, continuing his responsibility as the leader of the
PlayStation® business worldwide.
Mr. Kutaragi, well known as the “Father of PlayStation”, invented and launched the
original PlayStation in 1994 and its successor, PlayStation 2, in 2000. Since the
introduction of PlayStation and subsequently PlayStation 2, these platforms opened up a
vast market of computer entertainment. The two platforms combined now have an
installed base of more than 200 million units in homes around the world, with more than
2 billion units of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software titles shipped worldwide. The
third generation of the company’s home computer entertainment system,
PLAYSTATION®3, launched in November 2006 in Japan and North America and in
March 2007 in Europe, will continue to revolutionize the computer entertainment
experience with its immense computational power connected to the network.
After completing the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 worldwide, Mr. Kutaragi has decided
to pursue his dreams beyond PlayStation and to accelerate his network vision.
“I am happy to graduate from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. after introducing four
platforms to the PlayStation family,” said Ken Kutaragi, Chairman and Group CEO,
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “It has been an exciting experience to change the
world of computer entertainment by marrying cutting edge technologies with creative
minds from all over the world. I’m looking forward to building on this vision in my
next endeavors.”
“Ken Kutaragi is a rare combination of a powerful visionary and entrepreneur in one
figure,” said Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation. “Not only has
he created a multi-billion dollar business for the Sony Group, he has brought the
industry into a new dimension. Sony has benefited tremendously from his vision, his
creative genius, and from the very strong team he assembled and nurtured. As Ken
moves forward to pursue new opportunities, we will encourage and support him. My
support also goes to Kazuo Hirai, who is a terrific executive with a proven track record
with PlayStation business in the US. I am confident that he will inspire and lead SCEI
to new heights.”
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based
computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and
markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP®
(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system.
PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and
PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment.
PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality
full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating
the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary
divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and
Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and
manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the
Sony Group.
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and
information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures,
computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading personal
broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of
approximately $63 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/
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PlayStation, PLAYSTATION and PSP are registered trademarks and PS3 is a trademark of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. 作者: 杀气腾腾 时间: 2007-4-28 01:55
As Ken moves forward to pursue new opportunities, we will encourage and support him.
