Sony Officially Names Michael Lynton CEO of Sony Corp. of America

NEW YORK -- Sony Corp. made it official Thursday: Michael Lynton has formally been named CEO of Sony Corp. of America and Nicole Seligman will become SCA president.

our editor recommends

Sony Pictures' Michael Lynton to Add Oversight of All Sony U.S. Entertainment Assets

Jane Fonda, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Pascal Share Laughs, Inspirations at THR's Women in Entertainment Breakfast

The promotions will become effective June 27.

STORY: Sony Pictures' Michael Lynton to Add Oversight of All Sony U.S. Entertainment Assets

Lynton will remain chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Amy Pascal will remain co-chairman of the studio, which they will continue running together.

No management changes are planned at SPE, the company said. Lynton will continue to be based at the studio’s world headquarters in Culver City and will travel to New York. Seligman will continue to work in New York and Tokyo.

Seligman, while taking on the new post of president, also will continue as executive vp and general counsel of Sony Corp. 

Lynton will oversee Sony’s entertainment businesses, including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Seligman will be in charge of Sony’s U.S. headquarters operations.

Reporting to Lynton in his capacity as SCA CEO will be SME CEO Doug Morris, Sony/ATV chairman and CEO Martin Bandier and Pascal, who previously reported to Stringer.

Sony Corp. of America, based in New York, is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corp.

PHOTOS: 'Moneyball' Premiere in Oakland

The announcement, made by Sony Corp. chairman, CEO and president Howard Stringer and executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai, comes as Sony Corp. is undergoing a transition at the top. In April, Hirai will take over as CEO and president of Sony Corp. Stringer will continue as chairman until June 27, when he is expected to become chairman of the Sony board of directors. Stringer has been chairman and CEO of SCA since 1998. On June 27, Hirai will take over as SCA chairman of the board as Lynton steps into his new role.

“I am grateful to Sir Howard and Kaz for this opportunity to work with Nicole, Doug, Marty and Amy in leading Sony’s entertainment businesses,” Lynton said. “While the studio and the music companies are doing well, this remains an era of great change and challenge. So I know we will work more closely than ever with Sony’s electronics and network businesses to bring the best possible entertainment experiences to people everywhere.”

“Michael Lynton is an incredibly accomplished executive who has distinguished himself in at least three different fields – entertainment, technology and publishing," Stringer said. "Michael and Amy helped put Sony Pictures on the path of stability and profits, and they continue to be one of the most successful partnerships in entertainment."

Hirai added: “I have known both Michael and Nicole for many years, and they will do an excellent job at Sony Corporation of America. They will be key members of my management team as we build on the progress made under the leadership of Sir Howard and fulfill Sony’s destiny as the company best able to make and deliver the kind of entertainment, products and services people want.”