Sony Group Corporation | Success Story of the Multinational Conglomerate

Sony Group Corporation, commonly known as Sony, is one of the world’s biggest brands. Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita founded the company in 1946. The brand has provided its consumers with technology products for over seven decades. Sony is famous for its top-notch electronic and IT products. The brand launched the iconic gaming console Play Station in 1991. It helped Sony become one of the leading brands globally. Besides gaming consoles, the company manufactures and sells televisions, digital cameras, smartphones, wearables, and many more.

About 

Sony Group Corporation is a Japanese company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It rose to prominence during the 1970s after launching Walkman. It was the first portable cassette player. The brand has launched several electronic devices that have created history. Sony’s iconic products are Discman, Handycam, MiniDisc, Play Station, Aibo, and Blu-Ray Disc format. A-list celebrities like Michael B. Jordan, David Guetta, Barbara Palvin, Deepika Padukone, IU, Kareena Kapoor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Katrina Kaif, and Sachin Tendulkar have endorsed the brand. As of 2022, Sony’s net worth is estimated to be $81.75 billion. 

Founders

On the 11th of April 1908, Masaru Ibuka was born in Nikkō, Japan. His father, Tasuku Ibuka, was an architectural technologist. Masaru’s family was technologically driven. During his youth, Tasuku constructed Japan’s first water-driven electrical power station. But due to a tragic accident, Tasaku passed away in 1910. Masaru was just two years old at the time. Following his father’s untimely death, Masaru and his mother moved to Kobe. Upon moving, they lived with Masaru’s paternal grandparents. However, after some time, Masaru’s mother remarried. She started living with her new husband, but Masaru stayed back with his grandparents. As a child, Masaru loved to assemble electronic devices. His grandfather encouraged him in his technological endeavors. 

Throughout his schooling years, Masaru’s interest in technology flourished. In 1993, he graduated from Waseda University. After that, Masaru joined a photochemical laboratory. He worked in the sound and picture department of the lab. Three years later, Masaru began working at an engineering company. During wartime, the company transferred Masaru to the military technology department. Around the same time, he met Akio Morita. Akio was a navy technical lieutenant. After the war ended Masaru decided to start his business. He quit his job and opened a radio-repair shop in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. At the time, Nihonbashi was one of the devastated areas of wartime. 

Establishment of Sony Group Corporation

The World War had caused Japan to fall behind in science and technology. Masaru decided to dedicate himself to rebuilding Japan’s technology department. In 1946, Akio came to know about Masaru’s venture. He joined Masaru and helped establish Tokyo Tsushin Kenkyusho ( the Tokyo communications laboratory). Tokyo Tsushin Kenkyusho became Sony in 1958. In 1950, the company launched Japan’s first tape recorder. After that, Masaru traveled to the United States to search for a potential tape recorder market. He heard about the invention of the transistor during his visit. Masaru decided to use transistor technology in communications. At the time, people used transistors for military applications only. However, Tokyo Tsushin Kenkyusho succeeded in using it for non-military purposes.

Initial Years

In 1955, the brand launched its first transistor radio, the TR-55. It became the first successful transistor radio globally. Two years later, Sony launched a pocket-size transistor radio. It was not the first brand to use transistor technology in radios at the time. However, it became the most successful one to do so. In 1960, Sony created history by manufacturing the world’s first transistor television. There was no looking back for the company after the revolutionary invention. During the late 1950s, Sony’s products started gaining popularity in the American market. 1968 marked the launch of Trinitron. It was a color TV set that received universal acclaim for its outstanding quality. Sony’s popularity grew substantially after introducing Trinitron. The brand’s sales surpassed major competitors like RCA and Zenith Electronics. 

Worldwide Recognition  

Sony introduced a compact cassette recorder in 1969. It was a highly successful product that contributed to the company’s growth. During the 1970s and 80s, Sony launched iconic products like Betamax, Walkman, Compact Disc Player, and Handycam. But the company had to endure massive losses during the 1980s recession. Around the same time, Norio Ohga became Sony’s president. He helped the company recover from substantial losses. Under his leadership, Sony acquired CBS Records and Columbia Pictures. Later, in 1991, Sony ventured into the entertainment industry. It established Sony Pictures and Sony Music. The brand’s media presence proliferated. 1994 marked the launch of Play Station. Sony gained worldwide acclaim for the gaming console. Sony Group Corporation became one of the world’s most powerful brands through these successful innovations.

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