Ken Kutaragi is known as “The Father of the PlayStation”. He is an industry legend, and a respected visionary that helped bring about an unparalleled era of growth in the gaming industry. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI), and was the Honorary Chairman of... Read more
Ken Kutaragi is known as “The Father of the PlayStation”. He is an industry legend, and a respected visionary that helped bring about an unparalleled era of growth in the gaming industry. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI), and was the Honorary Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment, until 2011.
As an engineer at Sony, Kutaragi created the SPC700 sound chip for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. Gaming was still regarded as a fad at this time. However, despite a hostile atmosphere to video games, Kutaragi managed to persuade Sony to fund his research into the Super Famicom CD. These efforts resulted in the “PlayStation”, launched in 1994, with Kutaragi as its lead engineer.
The first PlayStation displaced both Nintendo and Sega, to become the most popular console of that era. It sold more than 100 million units, and its successor, the PlayStation 2, went on to become the bestselling console system of all time with 155 million units sold. The commercial success of the PlayStation franchise has made Sony Computer Entertainment the most profitable business division of Sony. Kutaragi was recognised by many financial and technological publications for this success, most notably when he was named one of the “100 most influential people of 2004” in TIME magazine and the “Gutenberg of Video Games”.
The success of the Sony Computer Entertainment division, which Kutaragi led, propelled him into the position of Deputy Executive President from 2003-06, overseeing the launch of the PlayStation 3. In 2006 Kutaragi was promoted to Chairman of SCEI and CEO of the group. He stood down as CEO in 2007, and took up the role of Honorary Chairman of SCEI, which he held until 2011. He has remained at Sony as Senior Technology Advisor, and currently serves as the President and CEO of Cyber AI Entertainment Inc. He also serves on the boards of Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc., Nojima Corporation, and Rakuten, Inc.
The success and longevity of Playstation is a reflection of the insight, craft, technical prowess and dedication of Kutaragi. He recently was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Game Developers Conference, for his contributions to the world of gaming.
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You can book Ken Kutaragi through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Ken's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Ken Kutaragi's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Ken tailored to your event.
Ken Kutaragi speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Ken to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Ken Kutaragi for events worldwide, subject to Ken's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Ken Kutaragi is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Ken can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Ken Kutaragi on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Ken can offer.
Ken Kutaragi delivers keynotes in Japanese. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Ken Kutaragi's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Ken's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Ken Kutaragi can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Ken's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Ken Kutaragi is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Ken Kutaragi, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Ken's current availability for your dates.