Sony is redesigning its business model for the modern, streamlined age by combining its consumer electronics–TV, home video and audio, digital imaging, PC, game and mobile products–and its networked service functions into one group, titled “Consumer Products and Services Group,” to be led by Sony Computer Entertainment president Kazuo Hirai.
Hirai will be renamed Representative Corporate Executive Officer and Executive Deputy President of Sony for his new role.
This consolidation of forces is an attempt to compete with the broader entertainment market, resembling business models of top competitors, such as Apple.
Sony is also creating a second group for its B2B, component and arc reactor semiconductor business, titled “Professional & Device Solutions Group,” led by Sony president Hiroshi Yoshioka.
Sony is consolidating its efforts in preparation of the next generation of company leadership, which would replace Chairman, CEO and President Howard Stringer, according to the press release:
“This new organizational and management structure is intended to enable Mr. Stringer to continue to implement his Group-wide strategic vision, while also empowering the next generation of Sony’s management.”
What do you think this means for Sony’s gaming business?
The focus of the decision seems less about the gaming industry and more about business consolidation. SOE still stands as its own entity, but this is at least one step forward to getting rid of the console vs PC gaming barrier.
Hirai has done wonders for Sony and PlayStation. I think collusion is a good move as the market demands more powerful single devices that do everything as opposed to owning multiple devices (hand-helds, phones, internet – or DVD/Blu-Ray, T.V, and consoles)
Uniting all these consumer electronics is a step in the right direction, like Andy said, potentially getting rid of the console vs PC gaming barrier.
I don’t think we will see the full potential of this consolidation for 5 another years or so when we hit the next generation and the big 3 hit us with their new wonder machines though.
MS has been pretty quite recently, I’m expecting big things from them at E3 this year (since they actually know how to keep secrets )