Of all the things that could have spoiled the debut of Sony’s 3D television business this year, an Icelandic volcano was perhaps the furthest from Akira Shimazu’s mind.
Mr Shimazu, the lead project manager for 3D ventures at the Japanese company, was busy with other matters when ash from the erupted Eyjafjallajökull peak began grounding European air traffic in April. He was co-ordinating what he describes as Sony’s most complex and wide-ranging roll-out ever.
It was a tightly connected series of product launches involving three-quarters of the sprawling electronics and entertainment group’s divisions – from televisions and video games to professional film and broadcast gear – in addition to television networks, filmmakers, game developers and other outside partners.