Sony Group Corp. announced on Wednesday that Hiroki Totoki, currently the company’s president, will succeed Kenichiro Yoshida as the new CEO starting 1 April 2025. This marks a significant move for the longtime finance chief, solidifying his influence in steering Sony’s expansion into entertainment. Yoshida, who is set to remain with the company as chairman, has played a key role in aligning Sony’s focus on growing its entertainment divisions, including video games, anime, music, and movies.
According to Bloomberg, Totoki, who became president in April 2023 while continuing his roles as COO and CFO, has been instrumental in helping drive this transformation. Under his leadership, Sony has ramped up its entertainment offerings, looking into potential acquisitions, such as discussions with Paramount Global and the domestic publisher Kadokawa Corp. This content-driven approach is paying off, with Sony’s profits soaring by 76% in the September quarter, despite weaker demand for components like smartphone sensors.
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to have been entrusted with the important role of President and CEO. I am looking forward to working with our approximately 110,000 employees to further evolve and grow Sony.” Totoki commented.
To further cement its leadership in the gaming industry, Sony also announced new leadership moves. Hideaki Nishino will head the company’s gaming and network services division, while Hermen Hulst takes on the role of CEO of Sony’s game studio business. These changes, which take effect on 1 April 2025, are part of Sony’s new management structure aimed at securing long-term growth.
Shares of Sony surged by 4.7% in Tokyo following the announcement, reflecting the market’s confidence in the company’s strategic direction. As Totoki steps into the CEO role, he continues to build on Sony’s legacy of diversification, leveraging its vast array of intellectual property to fuel future growth in entertainment.