It seems that during this year, Kaz Hirai won’t be the only high profile Sony executive with a new position. Michael Lynton (pictured on the right), who became Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2004 and has seen tremendous success with The Social Network, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the Spider-Man and James Bond franchise has now been appointed as the CEO of Sony Corp. Given a few months to conduct the transition, Lynton will officially take control of Sony America on June 27th. Current Sony CEO, Sir Howard Stringer who was previously the CEO of Sony Music/BMG before taking control of the company in June 2005, commented on Lyntons appointment, stating:

 Lynton is an incredibly accomplished executive who has distinguished himself in at least three different fields — entertainment, technology and publishing 

Under this new position, Lynton will oversee Sony’s entertainment businesses including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Not stopping there, Nicole Seligman will be appointed president of Sony Computer of America. We’ll have more for you on this as it develops and a better profile of the new man in charge of Sony America.

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Michael Lynton Named CEO Of Sony Corp. America

Nicole Seligman Named SCA President

Changes At The Top

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (SPE) Chairman/CEO MICHAEL LYNTON has been promoted to CEO of SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA (SCA). Also, NICOLE SELIGMAN has been appointed SCA President. LYNTON will be overseeing SONY’s entertainment businesses, including SME, SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING and SPE. Ms. SELIGMAN will have responsibility for SONY’s U.S. headquarters operations.

As of JUNE 27th, reporting to LYNTON will be SME CEO DOUG MORRIS, SONY/ATV Chairman/CEO MARTIN BANDIER and SPE Co-Chairman AMY PASCAL.

“MICHAEL LYNTON is an incredibly accomplished executive who has distinguished himself in at least three different fields — entertainment, technology and publishing,” SONY CORP. Chairman/CEO/Pres. HOWARD STRINGER said. “MICHAEL and AMY helped put SONY Pictures on the path of stability and profits and they continue to be one of the most successful partnerships in entertainment. MICHAEL is absolutely the right choice to succeed me as CEO of SCA. He understands the vital importance of fulfilling SONY’s unique promise of linking content and devices, and has been instrumental in our efforts to make it happen.

“Having worked so closely with NICOLE SELIGMAN for more than a decade, I know her to be a superb leader with great intelligence and integrity,” STRINGER continued. “There is no one better suited to serve as SCA President at this important time in the company’s history.”

“I have known both MICHAEL and NICOLE for many years and they will do an excellent job at SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA,” SONY CORP. Exec. Deputy Pres. KAZUO HIRAI said. “They will be key members of my management team as we build on the progress made under the leadership of SIR HOWARD and fulfill SONY’s destiny as the company best able to make and deliver the kind of entertainment, products and services people want.”

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Discuss:

Do such shakeups at Sony give you confidence on Sony’s future?