Sony UK's head of sales leaves position for some reason

by Nick Doerr { Feb 14th 2007 at 2:15PM }

How do you like the vague and ambiguous subject line? We say for "some reason" because, well, with PS3's getting record numbers in pre-orders, you'd think the head of sales would stick around to see how it all turns out. Kevin Jowett has resigned due to his apparently insatiable desire to seek opportunities outside of the gaming industry -- confidentiality issues aside. The timing really sucks, though.

Sony needs to find someone else to talk to retailers and set up allocations, in-store marketing campaigns, pre-orders and more. If they don't find someone equally as competent in a pretty short time, some of the more sensitive negotiations may be completely ruined. Don't falter, Sony! You're doing just fine. He was a meanie-face anyway for leaving at such an important time.

Tags: Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr BoomStick XL @ Feb 14th 2007 2:31PM

It all means something!! In Japan they had to RE-shuffle the deck or make "some" changes at the top, In America Phil Harrison can't pull his own foot out od his A$$ and now the Big cheese of Europe is quiting!! This all amounts to a company that has seen it's better days go by and will fall to the thrid place position!! Sony has been in trouble since E3 05' and it does'nt look like they can catch a break!! Sucks for them!!

AG @ Feb 14th 2007 2:49PM

Apparently things are not going that bad for Sony!

Japanese Stocks Rise; Sony Reaches Highest in More Than 4 Years ...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=ajbKoZXI2hOk&refer=japan

Tyler @ Feb 14th 2007 2:56PM

Um.. wow it looks like AG totally shut you up Mr BoomStick XL..

Next-Gen-Gamer @ Feb 14th 2007 3:41PM

Why do people always bring in stock when it comes to the failure or success of Sony in their PS3 endeavour? Being down one day and up the next doesn't mean squat. It doesn't mean squat from a stock standpoint, nor does it from a "success/failure" standpoint.

Furthermore, AG, no one said anything about stock. Mr BoomStick XL may not have made the most intelligent statement (far from it, no offense). However, he didn't say anything about Sony's stock.

As for those record-high pre-orders, you're missing something. Pre-orders don't mean squat. I recall numerous places being unable to meet the number of pre-orders they took. What would likely happen is retailers screwing over the (already shattered) image of Sony by creating impossible goals.

And that's if this is even true, which I doubt. Someone on the Digital Spy forums said it best. "Looks like DS has caught the gaming bug, didn't think mainstream media liked reporting on videogames." Yeah, me either. A site that touts television news apparently has a new expertise in the field of gaming. Silly me, I thought that this was just another media outlet that posts everything they hear when they don't know the subject very well. Here's a few more comments...

"Yeah, a record low amount of preorders, in Preston at least where there have been huge banners across shop fronts advertising preorders - been there a week."

"Same here. Like i said in the past i have a friend who works in Argos & he says they have had 4 inquiries about the PS3 in the last month. Likewise the choices video store down the road has a large banner out the front the past 2 weeks & when i asked the other day i was told they have had nobody pre-order. The woolworths store has had 1 pre-order."

"Hmmm. It's an interesting article. All those pre-orders must be happening in other branches than mine..."

Then there's the constant complaints on various sites (including PS3 Fanboy) by UK consumers who are saying that the price is too high, it doesn't offer what they want, etc. Somehow I doubt the numbers are true.

And you wonder why Kevin Jowett. My guess would be that...oh I don't know...the PS3 isn't doing as well (pre-order wise in the UK) as he had hoped. That or they're about to underdeliver (again). The Head of Sales doesn't quit a month before a major launch in his/her respective area unless something bad is about to happen. He's essentially about to make the company (and himself) more money, and he's leaving? Something doesn't sound right. Of course, when you have so many UK consumers ranting and raving about Sony pissing them off (due to the PS3 situation there), it's hard not to think this launch is about to be a bust.

"It's the hottest gaming system since the PS2 launched in 2000 - demand will outstrip supply."

It would be nice to know the credibility of these sites ahead of time. This quote is a prime example of something being clearly wrong. Hottest gaming system since the PS2 launched in 2000? Yeah, I guess that explains why the Wii smashed UK (and European) records with ease. At best, the PS3 would be the hottest gaming system since the Wii launched.

Next-Gen-Gamer @ Feb 14th 2007 3:45PM

Jowett quit*
* = Fixed [end of] sentence

JC @ Feb 14th 2007 4:58PM

Very well said, Next-Gen-Gamer. Whether your a fan or not of Sony's console this with out a doubt is very troubling news and there's simply no way to spin the article into a positive for Sony. If the news had came out about Microsoft or Nintendo it would still be bad news.

Devils Advocate @ Feb 14th 2007 5:01PM

Next-Gen-Gamer:

Wow....just won. Very well written, and explained.

Tyler:

No I think this happened:

http://ag.justgotowned.com/

vizunary @ Feb 15th 2007 1:33AM

who cares, I'll take the job!

vizunary @ Feb 15th 2007 1:34AM

who cares, I'll take the job!... btw DA that was awesome.

Joystiq_not_bias_at_all @ Feb 15th 2007 9:44AM

A companies stock price reflects public opinion and the opinion of those watching Sony's bottom line the most. Stock does play a role in things. It doesn't reflect the health of the company, but if Sony has a plan, let me tell you the one's with the most of their money sitting on it will know.

Killbloggers @ Feb 15th 2007 3:30PM

> To Next-Gen-Gamer

No offence, but what you write shows that you have zero life experience. Have you ever work in large business environment like Sony?　Flipping burgers in McDonalds does not count.

This news means absolutely nothing for Sony or anybody else.

Let me tell you kid, people are quitting such jobs for many reasons. Number of pre-orders or failure of some project is rearely a reason for quitting - something always goes wrong, that the nature of this business.

The most typical reason for quitting is age: look at the guy he is over 50. He probably really tired of this rat race and after saving 3-4 millions while working for Sony, just wants to take it easy for a while. you know sail on his yaht somwehere. may be his wife wants to spend time with him. may be he got cancer. who knows.

these people are not owned by the company. they have thier own dreams, wishes and plans and it has nothing to do with success or failure of corporation. everyone quits at some point and sony knows that. they work in a team, so there is always someone to take things over. not a big deal, he is not uniquie in any way.

becides, he heads Sony sales for whole UK, which handles TV, cameras, everything. PS3 is handled SCEE, he probably does not have much to do with PS3 at all.

Devils Advocate @ Feb 15th 2007 5:54PM

To Killbloggers:

Unfortunately, it appears that it is you, with your head in the sand. I have worked for a large multi national company, and understand, all too well, the expectations placed upon key/top personal. Kevin Jowett was not a low level employee, and his departure, at this time, leaves little room for a positive fanboy spin. Someone, in his position, would not simply retire with this launch around the corner. If it were pre-planned, someone of his position, it would have been pre-announced much earlier, to avoid this type of negative PR. Also, you should realize, irregardless if you agree with it or not, that those at the top will bear the backlash of failure, or less then anticipated performance, from their employees, products, etc. It comes with the job.

You are correct that he could quit for any given reason, but the timing and his position leads to raised eyebrows.