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Sony Announces First Non-Japanese PSN CEO

Sony Announces First Non-Japanese PSN CEO

The last four years have been difficult for Sony. After enduring four years of financial losses, the company’s PlayStation network suffered multiple network hacks which resulted in public and media scrutiny.

The hacks left a 100 million credit card funded PlayStation accounts vulnerable, and it has only been within the last month that the service has been restored and the culprits identified.

On the road to recovery, Sony Computer Entertainment has recently reshuffled its Executive team, following the retirement of the company’s chairmen, Akira Sato in late August.

Sato has decided to stay with the company as a senior technology advisor, having his chairmen duties assigned to Kazuo Hirai, who was formerly the gaming divisions CEO.

Sony’s CEO history dictates that another Japanese company executive is to be promoted to the role, but surprisingly the company has opted otherwise.

Andrew House, the company’s former head of PlayStation businesses in Europe now carries the CEO title, and is also the first non-Japanese person to do so.

House was pivotal in establishing the recognised console brand people are familiar with today.  After joining the company in 1990, he has invested two decades working his way through the company.

Throughout his career, he has been identified as a pivotal player in launching the original PlayStation, its successor, and even the company’s current slogan: make.believe.

In his address, House expressed his gratitude and his belief that Sony Computer Entertainment bares more potential.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to be named as President and Group CEO at SCEI. I believe there is huge potential for further growth of our business globally, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the SCE Group and with other groups in Sony to help achieve this potential by pursuing the creation of brand new user experiences”

Sony Computer Entertainment produced its first profit in 5 years, and with lots of changes happening, there is hope yet for the gaming giant.