Howard Stringer, chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America for the past eight years, has been tapped to head up Sony Corporation worldwide. Stringer replaces Nobuyuki Idei, who served as CEO for five years. Stringer, who is also vice chairman and COO Sony Entertainment Business Group now takes on the role of chairman/group CEO and representative CEO, Sony Corporation.
Perhaps Stringer's background in entertainment and technology will help bring the company back on top, competing again with the hottest technologies like the Apple iPod that merge electronics with content.
Stringer, originally from Wales, will be the first foreigner to run the Japan-based electronics giant. Prior to joining Sony in 1997, Stringer had a 30-year career in journalism, serving two years as executive vice president, CBS, and executive producer "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather" for three years and also "CBS Reports" for five years.
Another shakeup at the company includes the replacement of President Kunitake Ando by Ryoji Chubachi, an executive deputy president who leads the electronics parts and production operations. Chubachi will also serve as CEO of the electronics business worldwide.
Additionally, Katsumi Ihara--who currently serves as CEO, executive deputy president and group CFO--will assume the role of Representative CEO, executive deputy president and Group CFO, Sony Corporation.
The management change will take effect immediately, but the changes will not become official until June 22, as they are subject to the approval of shareholders, according to Sony.
