Third Sony Style Showroom Demonstrates Company’s Commitment To NZ Market
Wellington, March 27, 2002 – The official opening last night of the new Sony Style Showroom in Wellington illustrates
the company’s commitment to a growing New Zealand market says Sony New Zealand Managing Director Kazu Yoshino.
“Sony Style Wellington is the third in a series of showrooms opened by Sony New Zealand in the last three years, a trend
that reflects the confidence of a company with a long history of business success behind it,” says Mr Yoshino.
“Sony has been a prominent player in New Zealand since 1992. During that time there has been a year by year increase in
business volume that has served to deepen the company’s commitment to the New Zealand market. One expression of that
commitment is our continuing investigation into new business styles that will bring us closer to our customers. The Sony
Style concept of showroom and the website associated with it are a good example of this” says Mr Yoshino.
Sony Style Wellington was officially opened last night by Mr Yoshino and the Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast.
Sony New Zealand's Managing Director Kazu Yashino and Wellington's Mayor, Kerry Prendergast cut the ribbon to officially
open the Wellington Sony Style Showroom.
“I think Sony Style is a great concept and I’m sure it will be a hit with the people of this city because Wellington and
innovation go hand-in-hand. We keep saying this because our future success and growth as a city depends on our ability
to harness and harvest the brightest sparks of creativity, both from our own people, and from overseas. There’s plenty
of evidence of both here tonight,” said Mayor Prendergast.
“We were very privileged to have Mayor Prendergast celebrate the opening of our new showroom,” said Mr Yoshino. “Mayor
Prendergast shares the same commitment to innovative thinking and leadership as Sony always has, making her the perfect
person to help us officially open Sony Style Wellington.”
Sony Style, situated alongside the State Insurance Tower at 1 Willis Street in the central city, showcases Sony’s latest
innovations in an environment that encourages people to interact with and experience the technology.
A view of the Wellington Sony Style Showroom from Willis Street.
“The idea is ‘direct communication of Sony products’ and involves skilled Sony consultants conveying accurate product
information in a friendly, hands-on environment. The result we are after is happy showroom visitors, spending time and
gaining confidence with Sony products,” says Sony Style Group Manager Clark Hamilton.
Sony Style enables the company to showcase new products as soon as they hit the market, and visitors to the Wellington
store can now appreciate cutting edge technology with products such as VAIO, CLIE, Digital Stills Camera and Digital
Camcorder, as well as Sony’s traditional products such as Wega, their innovative flat screen TV and an array of home,
car and personal electronic products.
Sony Style Wellington will also showcase the innovative product ranges produced by sister companies Sony Music, Sony
Computer Entertainment, Columbia Tristar and Sony Ericsson.
Sony New Zealand's Managing Director Kazu Yashino shows off a selection of Sony products available at the new Sony Style
Showroom.
Sony was founded in 1946 with only US$500 dollars and less than 30 employees but is now worth approximately US$60
billion and employs almost 180,000 people worldwide.
Today, Sony is one of the world’s most respected brands, and the company has long been associated with technology
leadership and visionary thinking.
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