Boston, MA 06/02/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Calls by activist shareholder Daniel Loeb, of Third Point LLC, for Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) to spin off its Entertainment division into a standalone company seem to have fallen in deaf ears. Instead of spinning off the business as the activist investor proposed, Sony has instead shaken up the executive leadership in the division by creating the position of president and promoted an insider to head the unit.
The company appointed Nicole Seligman as the president of its Entertainment division. Following the appointment, Ms Seligman, who will report directly to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton, will step down from her previous position as general counsel and executive vice president. However, she will remain as a legal advisor.
A troubled business
Sony Entertainment has been soaked in debates within the company in recent times because of its lackluster performance. Sony Entertainment division includes music and movie business and it is considered a drag in the company’s electronic operation.
The debate about the division saw Mr. Loeb last year proposing its spinoff urging that something needed to be done to ensure performance improvement in the company.
However, instead of spinning of the troubled Entertainment division, the management believes that performance can be improved by revamping the division’s executive leadership just as has been announced in the latest move.
Although Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) has moved to shake up its Entertainment unit, more is still expected from the company because the CEO Kazuo Hirai promised new ways to innovative in the division. Additionally, the CEO promised cost-savings in the division and even said that Sony Picture will chop its cost by $300 million.
Boosting earnings
Although Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) singled out Entertainment division in the latest move to improve performance, troubles are widespread in the company. Competition is consuming a better part of the company’s fortunes as its efforts to make inroads in the mobile market are also struggling. However, it is worth noting that the company has somewhat gained support with game console sales especially its upgraded PlayStation 4.
Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) recently announced joint ventures that will help take sales of PlayStation 4 to China. The country recently lifted ban on game consoles and Sony and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are severally looking forward to big sales opportunity in the Asian nation.
