SEGA Europe/SEGA America Integrated News
Chris Leyton
20/01/2005
SEGA confirm plans to integrate management in an effort to drive growth in the Western market...
SEGA Europe and SEGA America today confirmed that they have integrated their management teams, in an attempt to drive growth in the Western market. Effective as from today, SEGA has confirmed the appointment of Naoya Tsurumi to CEO of SEGA America, Corporate Officer of SEGA Corp and CEO of SEGA Europe; Simon Jeffery to President/COO SEGA America; and Mike Hayes to President/COO of SEGA Europe.
As CEO of SEGA Europe and SEGA America, Mr Tsurumi will lead SEGAās business across North America and Europe, leading the individual subsidiaries towards improved efficiencies. Itās claimed that the announcement will lead to a closer collaboration on product development and acquisitions across the two territories, whilst also ensuring a smooth transition towards the next-generation of hardware.
Having worked with SEGA since 1992, Mr Tsurumi has served in various roles and managed many critical functions at SEGA Europe, including re-establishing SEGA Europe operations after SEGAās exit from the hardware business.
Simon Jeffery will direct SEGAās gaming business in North America, having previously served as President at LucasArts Entertainment, Vice-President for Virgin Interactive Entertainment and various roles at Electronic Arts.
Formerly Managing Director for SEGA Europe, Mike Hayes will replace Mr Tsurumi as President and COO of SEGA Europe, with his main responsibility to continue the significant level of growth fuelled by the likes of Sonic Heroes and Football Manager 2005 during its second year of operation.
The announcement should certainly bolster SEGAās strength within the Western market; however confusion continues to circle around what impact the SEGA-Sammy merger will have on the Western territories. Despite making wholesale changes at SEGA Corp, little has happened outside of the region with both SEGA America and SEGA Europe holding on to their own individualities and currently eschewing the SEGA-Sammy brand used within Japan. Whether or not the apparently increasing gulf between SEGA Europe, SEGA America and SEGA Corp continues to grow or narrow remains unknown, however letās just hope that SEGA can now concentrate on developing and releasing the type of videogames we love them for.
Weāll have more information soon.