Kazuo Hirai is Sony new CEO (effective April 2012)
Exciting times! If we saw what happened with Sony TV recently, and how Sony seems to start having its design, innovation and excellence mojo back, this could be a very fascinating time for Sony once again.
I was putting great hope on the leadership on Ken Kutaragi a couple years ago (He "singlehandedly" build the very successful, beautiful & innovative PlayStation technology & business before -- through the establishment of Sony PlayStation & Sony Computer Entertainment entity -- which from tiny beginning within Sony, grew to become a business that contributes almost half of Sony revenue or profit!). Unfortunately Ken Kutaragi path to the Sony CEO track was not happening, instead he was ousted from Sony itself.
WIth Kazuo Hirai at the top leadership position of Sony (Mr. Hirai was the key executive who is leading the Sony Computer Entertainment and also the one that lead the great turn-around in the Sony PlayStation business) and looking at the most recent innovative innovations that is happening through his leadership -- for example in the Sony TV lines -- I think it's reasonable to put big hope that Sony will soon find its mojo back.
The CEO appointment will happen effective April 1, 2012. Mr. Hirai, 51, is widely credited with leading a turnaround in Sony's PlayStation business, after taking over just after the launch of the PlayStation 3 game console. He is fluent in English and will become the company's youngest leader since its founder, Akio Morita, according to local media reports. When Sony promoted Hirai to his current role from April of last year, Sony said its management changes were aimed at "empowering the next generation of Sony's management." "The path we must take is clear: to drive the growth of our core electronics businesses - primarily digital imaging, smart mobile and game; to turn around the television business; and to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create new business domains," Hirai said in a news release announcing the leadership change.
After Apple is back (and recovered) 10 years ago, the come-back of Sony would be another "next great thing" that could enhance consumer market to be even better once more. By the roots of its founder: Apple and Sony are the two best pioneer and innovator of all. In that context: having Sony back would be truly awesome.
Go Sony!
