THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION
ARTS & SCIENCES
TO HONOR
KAZUO HIRAI
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SONY CORPORATION
WITH THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
AT THE
TH
66 ANNUAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
EMMY® AWARDS
To be Presented at the Bellagio Hotel
During the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
New York, NY – August 6th, 2014 -- The National Academy of Television Arts &
Sciences (NATAS) announced that Kazuo Hirai, President & CEO of Sony
Corporation will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 66th Annual
Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards that will take place on Thursday,
January 8th, 2015. This event marks the ninth consecutive year that the
Technology and Engineering Emmy® Awards have been presented during CES.
The reception and presentation will take place in The Bellagio Ballroom at The
Bellagio in Las Vegas beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“This is a well-deserved honor for a man who has led a company that is one of
the paragons of innovation in technology across the globe, “said Chuck Dages,
Chairman, NATAS.
“The National Academy’s Engineering Achievement Committee is pleased to
honor Kazuo Hirai for his leadership, innovation and vision in helping to set the
standards for technological excellence in our industry,” said committee
Chairman, Robert P. Seidel, Vice President of CBS Engineering and Advanced
Technology.
“With his wide grasp of our fast-changing digital world, from his leadership
marketing international music through Sony Music Entertainment, his successful
stewardship of Sony’s PlayStation business and his integration and innovation
across all of Sony’s consumer electronics products and services, Kazuo Hirai has
proven to be a visionary in the evolution of technology in our industry,” said
Seth Haberman, Co-Chairman, NATAS Engineering Achievement Committee.
2
For more information on sponsorships, ticketing and information regarding the
66th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards, please contact David
Michaels: dmichaels@emmyonline.tv
Kazuo Hirai
Since April 2012, Kazuo (Kaz) Hirai has held the position of Representative
Corporate Executive Officer, President and CEO, Sony Corporation and in June 2012
was appointed a Director of the Sony Board.
Mr. Hirai previously served as Representative Corporate Executive Officer,
Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation and President of the Consumer
Products & Services Group, overseeing Sony’s entire portfolio of consumer
electronics products and digital networked services.
From 2006, Mr. Hirai served as President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Sony
Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI) during which time he successfully returned the
PlayStation business to profit, and drove the growth of the PlayStation Network,
which provided users with revolutionary new forms of online entertainment while
laying the foundations for Sony’s subsequent expansion into various online
networked services. In September, 2011, he was appointed Chairman, SCEI.
Mr. Hirai began his career with CBS/Sony Inc. (now Sony Music Entertainment
Japan) in 1984 where he was involved in the marketing of international music in
Japan, and later headed the international business affairs department. He then
moved to Sony Music Japan’s New York office, where he led the marketing of Sony
Music Japan artists in the U.S.
In 1995 he joined Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), and in 1999 was
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, SCEA with responsibility for
overall operational management of the U.S. game business. In 2006, Mr. Hirai was
appointed President and Group Chief Operating Officer, SCEI, extending his
responsibilities to the game business worldwide. During his time, first at SCEA and
then at SCEI, Mr. Hirai played a pivotal role in elevating the industry into a hugely
significant genre, while at the same time making the PlayStation brand synonymous
with exceptional gaming and entertainment.
In 2009, Mr. Hirai was appointed President of Networked Products & Services
Group, Sony Corporation, enabling him to drive new integration and innovation
across Sony’s networked products and services, including the successful launch of
the Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited online services. As of April 2011, Mr. Hirai
assumed responsibility for all Sony’s consumer electronics products and services,
together with its global software, sales and marketing and design platforms.
Mr. Hirai received his bachelor of liberal arts degree from the International
Christian University in Tokyo.
About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
3
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional
service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of
television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and
technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in
television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports,
Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public &
Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership
consists of more than 13,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19
regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive
educational programs including Regional Student Television and its Student
Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students,
as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry
professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the
website at www.emmyonline.tv
About CEA
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association
promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More
than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including
legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry
promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also
sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment,
Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into
CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.