As CEO , Stringer 's initial focus was on streamlining Sony 's electronics business , such as through its Bravia TV joint venture with Samsung . Stringer was instrumental in arranging Sony 's investment in Spotify , which earned Sony a profit of nearly $ 1 billion upon Sony 's partial exit in 2018 . Nonetheless , Sony 's stock price fell by 60 percent from when Stringer assumed the role of group chairman until his resignation as CEO was announced in 2012 , due in part to exchange rates and the effects of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
2011 Tohoku earthquake
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Howard Stringer