Sony Appoints Hiroki Totoki as New CEO to lead Entertainment and Gaming

Sony Group Corp. is elevating Hiroki Totoki as CEO, endorsing the veteran finance chief's efforts to expand the company's entertainment presence. Alongside outgoing CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, Totoki has played a major role in directing the Tokyo-based tech giant toward prioritizing innovations in its entertainment sector. The company last year considered potential acquisitions, including Paramount Global and Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corp.

Sony's focus on content from PlayStation games and anime to music and movies is driving revenue and profit growth. Operating profit surged by 76% in the September quarter despite weak demand for smartphone components and image sensors, used in Apple Inc. and Xiaomi Corp.

Sony announced on Wednesday that Yoshida will stay on as chairman of the board. Hideaki Nishino will lead the company’s key game and network services division, while Hermen Hulst has been appointed CEO of the game studio business. These changes, effective April 1, are part of a new management structure aimed at ensuring Sony’s long-term growth.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been entrusted with the important role of President and CEO. At the same time, I am looking forward to working as CEO with our approximately 110,000 employees to further evolve and grow Sony,” Totoki, 60, said in the statement.

Totoki had increasingly taken on leadership responsibilities at Tokyo-based Sony two years ago, when he added president and chief operating officer to his role as chief financial officer. He delivers Sony’s commentary during quarterly earnings calls and has guided the company through challenging periods, including extended supply shortages of its flagship PlayStation 5 console.

Recent earnings highlight the impact of a few successful titles, like the Chinese video game hit Black Myth: Wukong, on Sony’s PlayStation business. This year, the company is looking forward to major releases, including Monster Hunter Wilds from Capcom Co. and Grand Theft Auto 6 from Rockstar Games Inc.