Citing the need for streamlined operations and a cohesive focus for operating its businesses around the world, Tokyo-based Sony Corp. has announced U.K.-born Howard Stringer, currently chairman and CEO of Sony Corp. of America, will take the helm of the global electronics, entertainment and technology company on June 22.
Stringer, who is also currently corporate executive officer, vice chairman and COO of the Sony Entertainment business group, is to assume the position of chairman, group CEO and representative corporate executive officer of Sony, running the company from both New York and Tokyo. He will also continue in his role as head of the entertainment business group and head of Sony Corp. of America.
Assisting in management of the company is to be Ryoji Chubachi as representative corporate executive officer and president of Sony, as well as CEO of the electronics business group. Chubachi is currently corporate executive officer, executive deputy president and COO of Sony's Micro Systems Network Company (MSNC) and Engineering, Manufacturing and Customer Services (EMCS).
Also, Katsumi Ihara -- currently corporate executive officer, executive deputy president and group CFO -- is to assume the role of representative corporate executive officer, executive deputy president and group CFO of Sony, to oversee financial matters and support Stringer and Chubachi with respect to overall corporate strategy and resource allocation.
In addition to the executive appointments, Sony’s current management team -- led by Nobuyuki Idei, representative corporate executive officer, chairman and group CEO -- has implemented a reallocation of group-wide resources and promotion of cross-border alliances within Sony, aimed at strengthening the entertainment content businesses, solidifying the mobile phone business, development of the next-generation semiconductor chip, and integration and expansion of the financial services business.
While formal appointments are to be made on June 22, the management transition is to begin immediately, Sony reported.
Idei, who has served as director, representative corporate executive officer, chairman and group CEO, and Kunitake Ando, currently director, representative corporate executive officer and president, are to become chief corporate advisor and advisor of Sony, respectively, also as of June 22, to support the new management team from an overall standpoint.
Stringer's Résumé
Stringer joined Sony in May 1997. Prior to joining Sony, he had a 30-year career as a journalist, producer and executive at CBS Inc. As president of CBS from 1988 to 1995, he was responsible for all the broadcast activities of the company including entertainment, news, sports, radio and television stations.
From 1986 to 1988, Stringer served as president of CBS News. Prior to that, he was executive producer of the CBS Evening News. From 1976 to 1981, Stringer was executive producer of the CBS Reports documentary unit.
After leaving CBS, Stringer was chairman and CEO of TELE-TV, the media and technology company formed by Bell Atlantic, NYNEX and Pacific Telesis, from February 1995 to April 1997.
A native of Cardiff, Wales, Stringer received the title of Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honors list of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 1999.
He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in modern history from Oxford University. Stringer became a US citizen in 1985.
