Sony Appoints Hiroki Totoki as CEO to Drive Entertainment Growth

Sony Group Corporation has named Hiroki Totoki, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2025. This leadership change is part of Sony’s broader strategy to expand its global presence and strengthen its position in the entertainment industry.

Totoki’s appointment is expected to be pivotal in driving Sony's growth, particularly as the company continues to innovate and compete in the evolving entertainment market.

Who is Hiroki Totoki and What Does His Appointment Mean for Sony?

Hiroki Totoki, who has been with Sony since 1987, has held various senior roles, including Executive Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer. He has been instrumental in shaping Sony's strategies, particularly in content intellectual property and semiconductors.

His deep expertise in both creative and technological areas makes him an ideal leader as the company adapts to the fast-moving entertainment landscape.

Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony’s CEO since 2018, will remain as Chairman, ensuring stability and continuity during this leadership transition. This handover is expected to maintain Sony’s momentum as it aims to strengthen its position in the global entertainment sector.

What Are the Key Leadership Changes at Sony?

Along with Totoki's promotion, Sony has announced several key leadership shifts across its major divisions:

• Finance: Lin Tao will become Sony's first female Chief Financial Officer, marking a significant step toward diversity and inclusion within the company.
• Gaming: Hideaki Nishino will take the helm of Sony’s gaming division, overseeing PlayStation, following Jim Ryan's departure.
• Imaging and Sensors: Shinji Sashida will lead this critical division, which plays a key role in Sony’s advancements in imaging and sensors.
• Game Studios: Hermen Hulst will continue overseeing Sony's game studios, focusing on developing first-party titles for PlayStation 5, PC, and other platforms.

These appointments demonstrate Sony’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth, ensuring each division has the leadership needed to drive success.

How Has Sony Performed Under Kenichiro Yoshida and What’s the Focus Moving Forward?

Under Kenichiro Yoshida’s leadership, Sony invested around $10 billion over six years, expanding its presence in gaming, music, and film. These sectors now account for about 60% of Sony's annual revenue. Major successes like

The Last of Us TV series and the Uncharted film have helped the company leverage its entertainment assets and build its global profile.

As Hiroki Totoki steps into the CEO role, Sony plans to continue maximizing the value of its intellectual properties in gaming, film, and music, targeting a larger share of the $3 trillion global entertainment market.

What Does the Market Think of Sony’s Future?

The news of Totoki’s appointment was positively received by the market, with Sony’s share price rising by 3.4%. This reflects strong investor confidence in the company’s future direction under new leadership. Going forward, Sony plans to address challenges in its PlayStation business while capitalizing on recent game studio acquisitions.

Upcoming titles like Ghost of Yotei and Grand Theft Auto VI are expected to strengthen Sony’s gaming division and contribute to its continued success.