PlayStation reshuffles management to prioritise first-party development and global co-ordination of sales and marketing

Sony has undertaken an organisational restructure of its senior team across its American, European and Japan Asia divisions, both to better co-ordinate global activities and to concentrate on first-party development.

Shawn Layden’s role within Sony changes to concentrate his focus on WWS continuing to provide platform-defining content that helps drive the growth of SIE’, though he retains his current title of chairman of worldwide studios (WWS) and SIEA president.

The announcement noted: ‘Increasingly, the value of interactive entertainment is differentiated by the broad spectrum and depth of experiences that it provides to customers. As such, SIE’s mission to create and develop the most attractive and powerful first party titles has become more important than ever.’

There’s also a change for those working with Sony as third-party publishers. With Phil Rosenberg being appointed head of global publisher and developer relations. Previously he was senior vice president of business development and publisher & developer relations for America.

There are changes in the sales and marketing too. Those divisions within Sony Interactive Entertainment America (SIEA), Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE) and Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia (SIEJA) will now all report directly to Jim Ryan, deputy president and head of global Sales and marketing, SIE.

It’s not a total move to globalise these functions though, as both John Kodera, President and CEO of SIE and Jim Ryan, will take on the role of ‘executive in charge of regions.’ With Kodera taking responsibility for Americas and Japan Asia and Ryan for Europe. While ‘current SIEJA President Atsushi Morita will report directly to Kodera to support management of cross-functional activities for the Japan Asia markets.’

In addition, Hideaki Nishino will assume the role of Head of Platform Planning and Management effective April 1. He is currently senior vice president of product strategy & management and corporate strategy at SIE.