Sony's video game unit named the head of its US operations as president yesterday, replacing the so-called "father of the PlayStation," Ken Kutaragi, just as the company is rolling out its newest version of the game machine.
The appointment of Kazuo Hirai to the global management team comes at a crucial time for Sony Corp, which sorely needs a big hit in its PlayStation 3 to repair its battered reputation and books.
Kutaragi will stay on as chief executive and also become chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment, continuing to play a key role in the video game business, the company said.
The addition of Hirai, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America, also reflects Sony's efforts to make its top ranks more international.
Sony announced yesterday that it was appointing an American, Jack Tretton, head of its US gaming business to replace Hirai. He is the first non-Japanese to assume that post.
Tretton, executive vice president at its US gaming unit, helped oversee the launches of the Play-Station series in North America.
"Given his experience and exceptional reputation in the industry, I can think of no better person to assume the helm of the Play-Station brand in the US, Canada and Latin America," Hirai said of Tretton.
British David Reeves, the head of Sony's European video-game operations, was appointed vice president at Sony Computer Entertainment.
The appointments are effective today, it said.
Since last year, Sony has had a Welsh-born American CEO, Howard Stringer, the first foreigner to ever head the electronics and entertainment giant, whose overseas business outstrips its Japan business. Stringer has been trying to turn around Sony's fortunes, closing plants, wiping out divisions and trimming jobs.
Hirai, who will also become chief operating officer, has been instrumental in building the Play-Station business in the US for the last decade, taking office as president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America in 2003.
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