Sony Corp CEO Kazuo Hirai has weathered a crisis over a cyberattack on its Hollywood studio and its controversial comedy "The Interview", but his toughest moment may be just arriving as he prepares a new business revival plan.
After failing to turn around the storied creator of the Walkman since taking the helm in April 2012, Hirai and his deputies are now open to options including sales and joint ventures for its money-losing TV and mobile phone operations, company officials familiar with the leadership's thinking say.
Sony, which has cut its earnings forecasts six times on Hirai's watch, forecasts a 230 billion yen ($1.9 billion) net loss for the business year to March, and will suspend dividend payments for the first time, after deep smartphone losses.
Sony management recognises that "no business is forever", one source told Reuters. Although no deals are on the table, "every segment now needs to understand that Sony can exit businesses", he added.
Last year Sony sold its Vaio personal computer business and spun off its TV operations, cutting 5,000 jobs in addition to the 10,000 slashed earlier after Hirai took over.
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai open to selling mobile, TV businesses: Sources - The Times of India
After failing to turn around the storied creator of the Walkman since taking the helm in April 2012, Hirai and his deputies are now open to options including sales and joint ventures for its money-losing TV and mobile phone operations, company officials familiar with the leadership's thinking say.
Sony, which has cut its earnings forecasts six times on Hirai's watch, forecasts a 230 billion yen ($1.9 billion) net loss for the business year to March, and will suspend dividend payments for the first time, after deep smartphone losses.
Sony management recognises that "no business is forever", one source told Reuters. Although no deals are on the table, "every segment now needs to understand that Sony can exit businesses", he added.
Last year Sony sold its Vaio personal computer business and spun off its TV operations, cutting 5,000 jobs in addition to the 10,000 slashed earlier after Hirai took over.
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai open to selling mobile, TV businesses: Sources - The Times of India
