By Ben Dutka,
Some guys just pick strange times to up and leave their
employer, and none stranger than quitting as Sony Computer
Entertainment UK's Commercial Director a mere five weeks before
the launch of the PlayStation 3. According to breaking news at MCV UK , Kevin Jowett has left Sony, shocking
many UK retailers.
"The timing is absolutely incredible," said one
leading games buyer. "Kevin is going just as Sony is talking
to everyone about terms and arranging pre-orders and in-store
marketing campaigns."
Jowett has apparently resigned to "pursue other
opportunities outside of the games industry," and he has
left the company immediately due to "confidentiality
issues." Jowett didn't comment so we don't know what those
new opportunities might be, but taking off little more than a
month before such a huge event…it seems bizarre. And now, Sony
is going to have to scramble to fill his shoes, which oughta be
both urgent and a bit comical…send your resume on over, maybe
they'll consider it!
_________
By Arnold K.,
It's not uncommon for key executives to part with their jobs
just before something momentous occurs for the company. Bernie
Stolar left Sega before the Dreamcast launched, for example – and
Sony's PR Chief, Molly Smith, left right before the US PS3
launch. Well, here's another one to add to the list, but nothing
that's the least bit crippling for Sony. SCE UK's Director of
Sales, Kevin Jowett has announced his resignation from the
company to pursue a career outside of the gaming industry.
While the arm-flailing has already begun, this isn't something
that Sony won't be able to patch up. GameIndustry.Biz claims that
Jowett's resignation was immediate, which sounds more like clever
wording of him being let-go. Regardless, major corporations will
always immediately have a suitable replacement for any position,
and it's no different in this case.
Let's breath into our paper bags, and relax. This should not
disrupt Sony's operations externally, if even at all.