Sony lays off top marketer as Stringer cuts swathe

Sony vice-president for marketing communications Andy Griffiths is understood to have taken voluntary redundancy from the Japanese electronics giant.

His departure is thought to be part of the major restructure announced by Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer last month. The plans include cutting 10,000 jobs, closing plants and axing unprofitable businesses across the world.

It is not clear who will take over Griffiths responsibilities, but it is thought that marketing communications will be absorbed into the main marketing department.

Griffiths was promoted to top brand marketer in November 2003 (MW November 27, 2003). He has been responsible for developing new advertising channels and exploiting Sony’s brand extensions, such as PlayStation and Sony Ericsson. He joined Sony in 1993 and has held a variety of sales and marketing positions at the company.

It is believed that senior vice-president for European communications David Patton will remain the chief marketer for Europe.

Patton, who was previously marketing chief for PlayStation, was promoted to the European role last year in an overhaul of the company’s European management team (MW April 1, 2004).

He has been reporting to Sony Europe president Chris Deering, although Deering is due to retire at the end of this month.