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Tag: Stringer

  • Sony’s entertainment strategy will revolve around four pillars: Stringer

    MUMBAI: As the global entertainment industry evolves four pillars – e-Entertainment, Digital Cinema, High-er Definition and PlayStation will play an important role in Sony’s strategy.
    This was stressed by Sony chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
    In his presentation called Entertaining the Future Stringer spoke about the changing relationship between content, technology and the consumer. As far as the e-Entertainment pillar is concerned Stringer focussed on the increasingly personalised nature of entertainment and the importance of recognising and accommodating the needs of the individual while providing choice and convenience in the ways that consumers use Sony products.
    Stringer introduced the new Sony Reader, which will be available later this year. At CES he was joined on stage by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, to discuss the many benefits of eBook technology for readers, authors and the environment. The Sony Ericsson W810, the latest version of the Walkman phone, which established the mobile phone as a credible digital music player, was also demonstrated.
    Following that Stringer showcased PlayStation Portable’s ability to allow consumers to watch their favorite television programmes any time, from anywhere in the world using Sony’s Location Free technology.


    In a discussion of digital cinema, Stringer detailed how Sony’s digital cinema equipment is being used by leading directors around the world to redefine the way consumers enjoy the motion picture experience. Brian Grazer, who is the producer of the highly anticipated film The Da Vinci Code, along with the film’s director, Ron Howard and actor Tom Hanks joined Stringer on stage to discuss how the film is progressing and the technological advancements in high-definition filmmaking and projection systems that are keeping the theater-going experience alive and thriving.
    Stringer also emphasised the fact that Sony is well-positioned to succeed in the transition to High-er Definition – both inside and out of the home. “The transition to HD is especially important to Sony, because from film production in Hollywood to television viewing at home, Sony has connected every link in the HD chain. With professional equipment, camcorders, television displays, Blu-ray Disc players, packaged media and more, no one is better positioned to lead the way to full high definition. That’s why we say Sony is High-er Definition.”
    In addition to highlighting Sony’s HD equipment and Grand Wega and Bravia televisions Stringer dwelt on the rapid growth and proliferation of HD content. He announced that Sony’s game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will be the first game shows available in HD later this year.
    Dell chairman Michael Dell discussed the importance of the Blu-ray disc format for both the consumer electronics and IT industries. To show the importance of the last of the four pillars Playstation, Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Kaz Hirai joined Stringer to discuss how Playstation 3 will build on the success of the PlayStation 2, which experienced a 10.5 per cent year-over-year gain in holiday sales and was the only platform in the videogame industry with positive growth, and on the success of the PlayStation Portable (PSP).
    Hirai also emphasised the importance of the Cell processor, which is designed to support broadband consumer applications and HD video streams and will be at the heart of the Playstation 3, scheduled to launch later this year. By utilising Blu-ray, Playstation 3 will also provide the large storage capacity required by game creators to achieve real-time gameplay mechanics in a HD world.

  • India on the edge of a giant revolution : Stringer

    MUMBAI: The $ 67 billion Sony Corp’s chairman and CEO Howard Stringer has hinted at expanding the company’s business in India, saying, “We are here to stay and build and share something special.”

    India stands on the edge of a giant revolution and Sony is glad to be “here in this part of the Indian renaissance,” he said.

    Sony Corp’s diversified business activies in India include consumer elctronics, media and entertianment and telecommunications.

    As a step up in the plans, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) announced yesterday its intent to make an entry into Hindi films and has signed a co-production deal with noted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who has made criticially-acclaimed films like Khamoshi, Devdas and Black.

    “That’s a milestone worth celebrating. The aim is not to put the stamp of Hollywood here. There is enough talent in Bollywood. Another important milestone for us is the growth of our television business in India,” said Stringer who is on a maiden visit to India.

    Stringer, whose father had been posted to India during the pre-Independence days in the Airforce, was addressing today a distinguished gathering organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) for a luncheon get-together in Mumbai to mark the 10th anniversary celebrations of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India.

    Stringer was in Delhi yesterday and met up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During the meeting, the Indian PM dwelt, amongst other things, at length on Sony’s manufacturing unit in India, which now has been closed down.

    On the content front, Sony’s presence in India is impressive. “We are proud of what we have accomplished. We chased down cricket and I got my enthusiasm quickly. We also have movies, which Indians love to watch,” Stringer said.

    When Sony started SET India in 1995, the company saw an emerging opportunity. It has become a foundation for content in this country, he added.

    The world of content and hardware is co-mingling. The challenge for Sony is to break down the barriers between the standalone companies and bring in cross-polination between content and devices, Stringer empahasised, hinting that in the future there would be increased synergies amongst the various businesses of Sony Corp here.

    When asked whether Sony was going to play a serious role in fighting piracy — an issue that is taking alarming proportions — in India as it was entering into film production, Stringer said it was part of a global problem and was a “big challenge” for many countries.

    But, what is Sony’s investment plans and growth strategy? “I am in the ghastly phase of restructuring. We have to quickly move from that to the growth process even as we make an organic attempt to reinvent the company,” Stringer explained, deflty side-stepping a direct answer on the issue.

    Also present at the luncheon meeting were SET India senior executives, including CEO Kunal Dasgupta, COO NP Singh and EVP ad sales and revenue management Rohit Gupta.

    After attending SET’s birthday party on Saturday (22 October), Stringer will leave next day.

    On his India visit, Stringer is accompanied by senior executives from the company, including Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Sony Pictures Television International president Michael Grindon

  • Sony’s Stringer on maiden India visit as SET turns 10

    MUMBAI: After the Murdochs, Eisners and Igers of the world, it’s now time for Sony Corp’s first non-Japanese chairman and CEO Howard Stringer to come on a visit to India.

    Stringer, who took charge in March this year, will be here on 20 October. One among the other reasons for his visit: to participate in the 10-year celebration party of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India, which is going to be held in Mumbai on 22 October at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, Stringer will first be in Delhi, on 20 October. He is seeking to meet senior government functionaries including prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy. He is also likely to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra during his hectic stay here.

    Stringer will reach Mumbai on 21 October, it is learnt. Apart from meetings with SET India executives, he will also have interaction with Sony Music and Sony Pictures Releasing of India Ltd (earlier Columbia TriStar Films of India), which is Sony Pictures Entertainment’s film distribution arm. He is also likely to meet executives from Sony Corp’s consumer electronics division.

    Stringer will leave India on 23 October, sources say. He has been quoted in Forbes as saying, “In October, I’ll be on the road for three and a half weeks — in India, in China, twice in Tokyo.”

  • Sony Corp gets its first non-Japanese CEO in Stringer

    MUMBAI: In what can be called a rare move for a Japanese company; Sony Corp has named Sir Howard Stringer as its first non Japanese chairman and CEO. Sir Stringer currently is the head of Sony’s US division.
     

    The new development culminated this morning, wherein Sony’s board agreed to appoint Sir Stringer. As a result of this, the company’s present CEO Nobuyuki Idei will be stepping down after five years at the helm.
     
     
     
    Sir Howard Stringer

    This is the first time ever for Sony to name a foreigner to head the major Japanese electronics firm as the company seeks to improve results at its faltering core electronics business, for which, outgoing CEO Idei has taken the full responsibility.

    Stringer, a former television journalist, will have a tough task of enhancing profitability at Sony. He has been with Sony since 1997 and has a reputation for intelligence and self-deprecating humour. Prior to joining Sony, he was with CBS television network as producer and executive.

    According to a media report, Stringer oversaw Sony’s decision to combine its music business with Bertelsmann AG in 2003 and last year’s move to take over MGM. The appointments will be formally approved by shareholders on 22 June but the management transition will start immediately, the report added.

    Stringer, who does not speak much Japanese, will remain based in the US. He was born in Wales and holds dual citizenship of UK and US.

    The major corporate restructuring will also see Sony president Kunitake Ando being ousted. He will be replaced by Ryoji Chubachi, who is currently executive deputy president and chief operating officer for electronic components and manufacturing. According to one media report, Sony shares have tumbled around 60 per cent since Idei assumed the roles of chairman and CEO in June 2000.

    Stringer was quoted in a media report as saying, “The world is simply not the same place it was a few years ago. The needs and expectations of our customers have changed. The dynamics of the competitive landscape have changed. The pace of innovation across all the businesses in which we compete have changed. So Sony too must change.”

    According to a media report, the corporate shake-up also included the resignation from Sony’s board of directors of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc president and group CEO and Sony’s home electronics and semiconductor businesses COO Ken Kutaragi. While, he will continue to head Sony’s games business, he would be stepping down from the other positions.