PlayStation
The gaming brand, since 1994; Sony's console, services and studios identity.
Sony
Global technology and entertainment group built on a Purpose of filling the world with emotion through the combined power of creativity and technology, organised across game, music, pictures, electronics, imaging, and financial businesses under the Sony Group Corporation holding.
- Founded
- 1946
- Industry
- Hardware · Software · Technology
- Headquarters
- Japan
- Ownership
- Public company
Key Facts
Current claim
“Be Moved”
Brand logo & color
#000000
Values
Dreams & Curiosity, Diversity, Integrity & Sincerity, Sustainability.
Sony Group Corporation, Sony's Purpose & Values
Purpose
Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.
Sony Group Corporation, Purpose & Values
Vision
Become a company that inspires and fulfills your curiosity.
Sony Group Corporation, Corporate Information-
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Bravia
The television brand, since 2005; Sony's premium TV line.
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Alpha
The camera brand, since 2006; Sony's mirrorless and DSLR identity.
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Walkman
The portable-audio brand, since 1979; one of Sony's defining consumer identities.
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Xperia
The smartphone brand, since 2008; Sony's mobile identity.
Brand Chronology
Sony presents It Happens on PS5 for the console's fifth anniversary (2025)
Sony presents It Happens on PS5 for the console's fifth anniversary
2025
Sony Interactive Entertainment presents It Happens on PS5, a global PlayStation 5 platform campaign by adam&eveDDB.
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Kenichiro Yoshida becomes CEO, succeeding Kazuo Hirai (2018)
Kenichiro Yoshida
becomes CEO, succeeding Kazuo Hirai
PlayStation 4 launches with Greatness Awaits and a long-take by BBH (2013)
PlayStation 4 launches with Greatness Awaits and a long-take by BBH
2013
On 12 June 2013, Sony introduced the PlayStation 4 with Greatness Awaits, a 90 second BBH New York anthem that hid 35 game references inside a single take.
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Kazuo Hirai becomes CEO (2012)
Kazuo Hirai
becomes CEO
PlayStation gathers its characters around Michael in Long Live Play (2011)
PlayStation gathers its characters around Michael in Long Live Play
2011
On 5 October 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment America premiered Michael, a Long Live Play film by Deutsch LA in which PlayStation characters toasted a fictional gamer.
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Logo Redesign (2009)
Logo Redesign
2009
The current PlayStation branding is highly minimalistic, using a simple black-and-white palette that preserves strong contrast and visual clarity. Its core geometric form and proportions remain consistent with earlier versions.
Series identifiers for consoles are still used, typically placed alongside the logo. The stylized “P” and “S” form a continuous, flowing shape with curved lines, while the specific console or game designation appears to the right in a clean, structured layout.
Sony Bravia follows Balls and Paint with Play-Doh by Fallon (2007)
Sony Bravia follows Balls and Paint with Play-Doh by Fallon
2007
In October 2007, Sony Bravia released Play-Doh, the third Fallon film in the Colour Like No Other trilogy, with 200 clay rabbits hopping through New York.
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Sony Bravia paints a Glasgow tower block with 70,000 litres of colour (2006)
Sony Bravia paints a Glasgow tower block with 70,000 litres of colour
2006
On 17 October 2006, Sony Bravia premiered Paint, a Jonathan Glazer film that detonated 70,000 litres of colour across a Glasgow tower block.
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Sony Bravia bounces 250,000 balls down the hills of San Francisco (2005)
Sony Bravia bounces 250,000 balls down the hills of San Francisco
2005
On 6 November 2005, Sony Bravia premiered Balls, a Fallon film that dropped 250,000 bouncy balls down a San Francisco hill.
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Howard Stringer becomes CEO (2005)
Howard Stringer
becomes CEO
PlayStation 2 climbs Mountain by Frank Budgen for TBWA London (2003)
PlayStation 2 climbs Mountain by Frank Budgen for TBWA London
2003
On 13 November 2003, Sony rolled out Mountain, a 60 second PlayStation 2 film by Frank Budgen for TBWA London, in which a Brazilian crowd built a human pyramid.
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PlayStation 2 launches in Europe with The Third Place by David Lynch (2000)
PlayStation 2 launches in Europe with The Third Place by David Lynch
2000
On 24 November 2000, Sony launched the PlayStation 2 in Europe with The Third Place, a David Lynch film for TBWA London that set the campaign platform.
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PlayStation hides the games and runs Double Life instead (1999)
PlayStation hides the games and runs Double Life instead
1999
In September 1999, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe released Double Life, a 60 second TBWA London film that sold PlayStation without showing a single game.
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Manabu Sakamoto draws the PlayStation mark and gives Sony a second house (1994)
Manabu Sakamoto draws the PlayStation mark and gives Sony a second house
1994
On 3 December 1994, Sony launched the PlayStation in Japan with a Manabu Sakamoto logomark that would outlast every console it sold.
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Sony Walkman built a brand on freedom of movement (1988)
Sony Walkman built a brand on freedom of movement
1988
Through skaters, joggers, and the surreal Walkmanhead campaign, Sony turned a cassette player into a youth-culture brand.
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Logo Redesign (1973)
Logo Redesign
1973
In 1973, Sony adopted a logo that satisfied executive Norio Ohga and aligned with the company’s refined corporate image.
The black wordmark on a white background conveyed elegance and simplicity, while the typeface resembled Clarendon with subtle modifications. Although Sony later explored redesigns—including a large contest for its 35th anniversary—none of the alternatives replaced the established logo.
Logo Redesign (1961)
Logo Redesign
1961
Norio Ohga criticized the existing Sony logo and pushed for refinements. With support from Akio Morita, designer Yasuo Kuroki adjusted the lettering, slightly enlarging the “S” to balance the visual proportions of the wordmark.
The logo continued to undergo minor refinements, mainly involving letter weight and subtle typeface adjustments, until the final version was established.
Logo Redesign (1958)
Logo Redesign
1958
In 1958, Sony renamed itself from Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo to Sony Corporation and introduced a new logo designed by Yasuo Kuroki.
The redesign removed the surrounding frame, leaving only the “Sony” wordmark in a bold serif typeface, emphasizing clarity, strength, and brand recognition.
Logo Redesign (1955)
Logo Redesign
1955
In 1955, the Sony brand introduced its first “Sony” logo as an italic wordmark inside a rectangular frame. The elongated “S” and “y” gave the design a distinctive and elegant character.
Logo Design (1946)
Logo Design
1946
In 1946, before becoming Sony, the company operated as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo. Its early emblem centered on the letter “T” and featured an inverted trapezoid with a rhombus inside a black ring.
Founded
1946
Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo in a war damaged Tokyo department store in 1946; the company adopted the Sony name in 1958.
