66th Lifetime Achievement
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES TO HONOR KAZUO HIRAI WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT 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.
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
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
