ony Computer Entertainment today announced quite a few changes of the guard. Ken Kutaragi has now been appointed as Chairman and Group CEO from President and Group CEO. Kaz Hirai President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America will move back to Japan and become President and Group COO of SCEI effective tomorrow, December 1, 2006. Jack Tretton will be Kaz Hirai's replacement, and has been named President and Chief Executive Officer for Sony Computer Entertainment America. Tretton's former position was SCEA executive vice president and co-chief operating officer.
The company also announced the appointment of Akira Sato, member of the board of directors, as Vice Chairman, and David Reeves, President and CEO and Co-COO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), as Deputy President of SCEI in addition to his current responsibility at SCEE, also effective December 1, 2006. Masaru Kato will remain in his current position as Deputy President and Group CFO.
Ken Kutaragi will keep his post as the Chief Executive Officer and oversee the entire SCE group. He will still be the main man behind the PlayStation business.
"Jack has been with SCEA since its formation and helped pilot the debuts of the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PSP and the successful launch of the recently released PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system," said Hirai. "Given his experience and exceptional reputation in the industry, I can think of no better person to assume the helm of the PlayStation brand in the US, Canada and Latin America."
"I am determined to build upon the momentum that Kaz and the entire SCEA staff has developed for the entire PlayStation family of products here in the US over the years," said Tretton. "Moving forward, we will remain focused on the continued market leadership of the PlayStation brand, driving consumer demand for the new PS3, and existing platforms such as PSP and PS2, which continue to excel in the marketplace."
Kaz Hirai joined SCEA in 1995, and was first appointed Executive Vice President and COO in 1996, President and COO in 1999 and President and CEO in 2003. Hirai has grown the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 to become the number one gaming platform in North America. In his new position he'll now head operations worldwide.
Jack Tretton was a member of the original management team tasked with launching PlayStation in North America in 1995, and brings more than 23 years of consumer product experience to his new role at SCEA. Tretton has managed numerous departments within SCEA, including sales, business development, merchandising, marketing and product development. Prior to SCEA, Tretton held posts at JVC Musical Industries, Activision, Majers Corporation, and Duracell.
David Reeves, joining SCEE in 1995 has played a key role in the PlayStation business in Europe/PAL territories, with a focus in the field of sales and marketing. In 2005, he assumed the position of President and CEO of SCEE and further expanded the PlayStation markets in Europe/PAL territories including Russia, Middle-East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Akira Sato joined SCEI in 1993 as one of the founding members of the division. As Deputy President and COO, he made numerous contributions especially in building a new business model in the world of computer entertainment as well as in the area of game software development by discovering new talent and introducing unique content. In November 2005, he stepped down from operating responsibilities, and by resuming his executive role as Deputy President, he will look after the development of new business areas.
Masaru Kato will continue to be deeply involved in group management with his expertise as chief financial officer.
SCEI Members of the Board of Directors (as of December 1, 2006)
Ken Kutaragi : Chairman and Group CEO
Akira Sato : Vice Chairman
Kaz Hirai : President and Group COO
Masaru Kato : Deputy President and Group CFO
David Reeves : Deputy President
Howard Stringer
Ryoji Chubachi
Kenshi Manabe
Shigeo Maruyama