Kaz Hirai
As of May 1st Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will have a new President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Chief Operating Officer (Co-COO) - Andrew House. SPOnG's had a look at House's past to see what his connections to Kaz Hirai, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment are.
From Kaz's comments, "I’m very happy to welcome Andrew back to the PlayStation business and to work closely with him again", it would appear that House is - if not an ally - at least somebody who has worked with him and who is comfortable to do so again. In fact, later in the official release - Hirai calls him "Andy", a most un-corporate way of dealing with a new CEO of a major territory.
A biog of Andrew House states that "Mr House joined Sony in 1990, and spent his first five years working in corporate communications for Sony Corporation in Japan... In April 1995, Mr House joined the marketing and communications division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., the parent company for Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
"There, he was responsible for the marketing and promotion of Sony Computer Entertainment’s European and U.S. developed game titles for the Japanese market prior to leading the marketing effort for Sony Computer Entertainment America beginning in March 1996." House stayed on at SCEA until 2005, when he was named chief marketing officer of Sony Corp.
Kaz, of course, started at SCEA in... 1995. He served there, first being responsible for operational management then as President and CEO, until he left to head up SCE in December 2006.
Hirai and House worked concurrently at SCEA for 10 years.
It should also be noted that, as of April 1st (House's start date in his new position) Kaz will have a raft of new responsibilities demanding his attention as he becomes president of the Sony’s Networked Products & Services Group which covers, in Sony's words, "Game, PC, Networked Mobile and Network Service businesses and New Business Incubation Project". Indeed, Kaz's corporate bio lists his new responsibilities above his SCE duties. The appointment of an ally to Kaz will enable him to have tighter control over SCE's European operations while his attention is focused elsewhere.
So, this looks a lot like SCEE and its marketing is being drawn more closely under a centralised management. Not surprising, seeing how important SCEE is to the PlayStation brand...
From Kaz's comments, "I’m very happy to welcome Andrew back to the PlayStation business and to work closely with him again", it would appear that House is - if not an ally - at least somebody who has worked with him and who is comfortable to do so again. In fact, later in the official release - Hirai calls him "Andy", a most un-corporate way of dealing with a new CEO of a major territory.
A biog of Andrew House states that "Mr House joined Sony in 1990, and spent his first five years working in corporate communications for Sony Corporation in Japan... In April 1995, Mr House joined the marketing and communications division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., the parent company for Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
"There, he was responsible for the marketing and promotion of Sony Computer Entertainment’s European and U.S. developed game titles for the Japanese market prior to leading the marketing effort for Sony Computer Entertainment America beginning in March 1996." House stayed on at SCEA until 2005, when he was named chief marketing officer of Sony Corp.
Kaz, of course, started at SCEA in... 1995. He served there, first being responsible for operational management then as President and CEO, until he left to head up SCE in December 2006.
Hirai and House worked concurrently at SCEA for 10 years.
It should also be noted that, as of April 1st (House's start date in his new position) Kaz will have a raft of new responsibilities demanding his attention as he becomes president of the Sony’s Networked Products & Services Group which covers, in Sony's words, "Game, PC, Networked Mobile and Network Service businesses and New Business Incubation Project". Indeed, Kaz's corporate bio lists his new responsibilities above his SCE duties. The appointment of an ally to Kaz will enable him to have tighter control over SCE's European operations while his attention is focused elsewhere.
So, this looks a lot like SCEE and its marketing is being drawn more closely under a centralised management. Not surprising, seeing how important SCEE is to the PlayStation brand...
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Comments
seedaripper1973 15 Apr 2009 14:00
1/3
er...correct me if i'm wrong, but i could of sworn he doesn't start until may 1st?? april the 1st has already gone (or is this a belated april fool)
tyrion 15 Apr 2009 17:46
2/3
seedaripper1973 wrote:
er...correct me if i'm wrong, but i could of sworn he doesn't start until may 1st?? april the 1st has already gone (or is this a belated april fool)
Thanks for that, I've now corrected it.
On an utterly unrelated note, we appear to have an opening for a proofreading troll since one has "retired" recently. Any takers? :-)
seedaripper1973 15 Apr 2009 17:57
3/3
phew! for a second there i thought that witty retort was aimed at me!
In relation to the job offer, i'm sorry but already taken....(ihave a field day over at hiphopgamer) ;)
In relation to the job offer, i'm sorry but already taken....(ihave a field day over at hiphopgamer) ;)