Sony Shakes Up U.S. Leadership, Taps Michael Fasulo to Continue Turnaround Effort
Fasulo, currently executive VP and head of sales for the U.S., will assume the new post Jan. 1, and Sony executive Toshifumi Okuda will come over from Japan and serve as deputy president.
“Phil Molyneux, who has ably served Sony for more than a quarter century, came to SEL in 2010 with a specific mission: to transform the business in the face of daunting, industry-wide challenges, reducing costs and streamlining operations,” Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai said in a statement. “He accomplished those goals and laid a firm foundation for future growth. All of us at Sony are grateful for his dedicated service and passionate commitment to the employees he led for the past three-plus years.”
Molyneux spoke to reporters last week about Sony’s continued effort to re-establish itself as a premium brand in the U.S., saying it hopes to use the transition to Ultra HD, or 4K, as a catalyst.
Fasulo, who joined Sony in 1984 as a financial analyst, has worked in a variety of roles in his nearly 30 years at the company.
“I am both humbled and honored to take on this critical role, and I have strong resolve to lead Sony in the U.S. to success,” said Fasulo. “I am equally inspired by Hirai-san’s confidence in me, and am very excited to be leading the folks I’ve worked with at Sony Electronics for many years. I look forward to Okuda-san’s arrival and working as one team to rejuvenate this brand I love.”
“There is no doubt that U.S. is one of the most important markets for Sony,” said Okuda. “I am very much excited to work and align with Mike and all SEL employees to make Sony regain the leadership position in this important market.”