Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai is known as the man who worked magic on the underperforming PlayStation franchise, or as his official corporate bio puts it, he made the PlayStation brand "synonymous with exceptional gaming." In March, Hirai was promoted to his current position as executive deputy president and officer in charge of Sony's consumer electronics businesses. The move was part of a clear signal that Howard Stringer would pass the baton to him. The new job hasn't been a cakewalk, though. The devastating quakes in March rocked the company's Tokyo headquarters, and hackers recently breached Sony computers, stealing customer data. Investors will watch closely to see if Hirai can work the same magic in his new job.
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