A 30-year career at CBS propelled Howard Stringer from answering backstage phones for The Ed Sullivan Show to serving as the company's president. Moving from his native Cardiff to the United States in 1965, he navigated the complex transition from legacy television broadcasting to the digital age, eventually leading the multinational giant Sony Corporation through a turbulent period of global economic restructuring.
Early Career and Military Service
Born in 1942, Stringer attended several institutions including Aylesbury Grammar School, Oundle School, and Merton College, Oxford, where he earned a Master of Arts in Modern History. Shortly after arriving in the United States, his tenure at WCBS-TV was interrupted by military service. He served ten months in Saigon as a military policeman during the Vietnam War, earning an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement.
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Upon returning to CBS, Stringer climbed through the ranks of the network. He served as executive producer for CBS Reports starting in 1976, followed by a stint leading the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather from 1981 to 1984. As president of CBS from 1988 to 1995, he managed the network's news, sports, and entertainment divisions, securing the Late Show with David Letterman while navigating the competitive loss of NFL broadcasting rights.
Tele-TV and the Sony Era
In 1995, Stringer joined the media and technology venture Tele-TV, an early effort to stream content via phone networks that collapsed in 1997. He moved to Sony Corporation of America that same year. By 2005, he assumed the role of Chairman, later becoming president and CEO in 2009. His leadership was marked by attempts to streamline electronics, such as the Bravia TV partnership with Samsung, and successful investments, notably in Spotify.
Legacy and Corporate Challenges
Stringer stepped down as president and CEO in 2012, followed by his retirement from the board in 2013. His tenure faced significant obstacles, including intense competition from Apple, Panasonic, and Samsung, as well as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Reflecting on his time in Tokyo, he noted the difficulty of overcoming the internal culture of Sony, which he described as a resistant, cemetery-like environment.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Cardiff
- Education: Merton College, Oxford
- Military service: United States Army, Vietnam
- Key roles: President of CBS, CEO of Sony Corporation
- Knighted: 1999
- Citizenship: United Kingdom; United States
- Award: Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
Questions readers ask
Was Howard Stringer a combat soldier?
No, he served as a military policeman in Saigon for ten months but did not serve in combat.
Did Stringer lead Sony during the 2011 earthquake?
Yes, he was serving as president and CEO when the 2011 Tohoku earthquake occurred, which impacted the company.
Achievements
- Knight Bachelor
- Educated at Merton College and Aylesbury Grammar School
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