Michael Lynton

In January 2004 Michael Lynton was appointed Chairman and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). As CEO, Lynton oversees Sony Pictures Entertainment's world wide operations including movies (motion pictures), TV and digital content distribution and production, global TV channel investments, and the creation of innovative entertainment products, services, and technologies. He reports to Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation [1].

Lynton was responsible for bringing in a major financing partner in Sony's recent acquisition of MGM's library product. He also has stated on many occasions that he believes that there is a strong future in DVDs and pledges that SONY will be a major player in the development and new technology associated in and around DVDs [2]. Under the lead of Lynton and other key players Sony has made many purchases of different companies in attempts to bring them to the forefront of the entertainment business. In late August of 2006 Sony spent 65 million dollars on Grouper Networks (now Crackle), which is a rapidly expanding user-generated video site on the internet [3].

Lynton is part of Sony Pictures executive team which includes; Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman, and Chairman of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, and Yair Landau, Vice Chairman and President of Sony Pictures Digital [4]. Lynton has been a major part of the business world for a long period of time. He has served on many Boards of Directors including his most recent project with JAMDAT Mobile [5]. Some of Lynton's previous jobs include, president of Time Warner International, President of AOL International, and CEO of AOL Europe. During his time at AOL Europe, Lynton was credited with the revamping of AOL Europe [6]. In 1992 Lynton joined The Walt Disney Company as President of Hollywood Pictures. In 1996 Lynton joined Pearson plc as chairman and CEO of Pearson's Penguin Group until 2000. During his time there, the Penguin Group broke barriers in bestsellers, revenues and profits [7]. When president of AOL International he led the largest Internet service in the world, which can be used in 17 different countries and 8 different languages. During his time there Lynton was successful in gaining revenue and a sizeable growth of AOL subscriber base [8].

Lynton was born on January 1, 1960 in the Netherlands and is trilingual in French, English, and Dutch. Lynton attended Harvard College and Harvard Business School.[9][10]