Sony Australia MD Ephraim confirms departure

Michael Ephraim, the VP and MD Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, has left the platform holder.

Rumours of his departure began to circulate last week, but MCV Pacific has now confirmed that he left the company last Friday.

"Over the last 18 months the PlayStation business has been steadily evolved into SIE (replacing former Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment organisations),” Sony said. Connected with these general global changes, the Australian and New Zealand businesses will now have a different corporate reporting regime.

"Michael joined Sony in 1993 and has had an impressive 25 years in the Australian business, leading the organisation that successfully introduced the many generations of PlayStation entertainment systems, to the great community of players in Australia and New Zealand."

SIE’s global sales and marketing president Jim Ryan added: Michael is an extremely influential figurehead in the interactive entertainment industry. Michael guided the establishment of the PlayStation business in Australia and has since nurtured its growth and success with an unwavering passion and commitment for the brand.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Michael and to wish him all the very best for the future.”

Ephraim himself said: The opportunity to have been involved from the launch of the original PlayStation has been a once in a lifetime experience. I want to thank everyone across the PlayStation family and specifically all the incredible staff that I’ve had the pleasure to work with here at PlayStation ANZ. I wish everyone continued success in their personal endeavours and also for the SIE organisation.”