Sony Canada

Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan. Sony provides products that include Blu-ray players, BRAVIA televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam Camcorders, VAIO computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products.

Sony is an entertainment company that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses.

With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and a National distribution centre in Whitby, Ontario, approximately 500 employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers across Canada. of Sony Canada supports the communities in which it operates through corporate sponsorships of organizations that include the Make-A-Wish Canada, the United Way of Canada and Earth Day Canada.

History of Sony of Canada Ltd.

Sony of Canada Ltd. evolved from General Distributors (Gendis) founded in 1954. In collaboration with the founders (Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka) of Sony Corporation, Albert D. Cohen and his five brothers negotiated early distribution of Sony's first transistor radio, TR55 in 1955. The Cohens also negotiated for T. Eaton Co. Limited to be the first company to retail Sony products outside Japan. Known originally as Gendis Sony, Sony of Canada Ltd. was officially founded in 1968.

Originally headquartered in Winnipeg, Sony of Canada brought Walkman portable music players, Trinitron Televisions and Handycam Camcorders to Canadians. In addition to consumer products, Sony of Canada has also pioneered and powered the growth of Broadcast media. Sony's Betacam technology transformed the world of Electronic News Gathering. Key broadcast successes included the implementation of Sony's digital routing system at the CBC Toronto Broadcasting Centre and the use of the Digital Betacam SX as the primary tool to record and broadcast the 1996 Olympics. Sony of Canada Ltd. milestones

1939

General Distributors (Gendis) founded in Calgary

1955

General Distributors (Tokyo) Ltd is founded

1956

Canadian Albert D. Cohen brings Sony's transistor radios to Canada.

T. Eaton Co. Limited is first retailer outside Japan to buy a Sony product.

1968

Sony of Canada Ltd. is established

1970

Sony of Canada Ltd. opens The Sony Store, the first Sony retail store in the world

1970

Trinitron colour television introduced

1975

General Distributors (Gendis) assumed 51 percent ownership of Sony of Canada Ltd

1976

Sony wins an Emmy award for its development of the Trinicon single-tube camera, electronic editing units and the U-matic, the world's first videocassette system

1979

Launch of the "Walkman", the world's first personal headphone stereo

1982

World's first CD player, the CDP-101 is introduced

1983

Sony of Canada receives an international marketing award for establishing Betacam as the de facto standard for ENG/EFP.

1984

Discman Sony's portable CD player is launched

1985

Sony unveils first XBR TV models

1995

Sony of Canada Ltd. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation

The world's first consumer use digital video camcorder, the "Digital Handycam" is launched

1996

Sony's Cyber-shot Digital Camera is introduced

1997

Sony of Canada and Alliance Broadcasting share Gemini award for development of multi-channel server system.

Launch of VAIO Computers

Technical Emmy for its foresight in implementing the Sony Digital Routing System at the CBC.

2004

Sony of Canada Ltd. becomes the exclusive and official supplier of consumer electronics products to Make-A-Wish of Canada

Launch of the world's first consumer use digital HD video camcorder recorder compliant to HDV standard 1080i.

2005

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches MBNA Sony MasterCard

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches the new BRAVIA line of LCD HDTV compatible flat screen televisions

2006

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches its introductory Blu-ray Disc products including a home disc player, VAIO computers, an internal computer drive and recordable/rewriteable media

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches first a (alpha) Digital SLR Camera offering

2007

Sony's 8-year global FIFA partnership commences

Sony of Canada Ltd. announces sponsorship deal with The Hummingbird Centre in downtown Toronto, now called The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

2008

Sony of Canada Ltd. re-brands The Sony Store(s) to Sony Style

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches the world's first Organic LED television in Canada

Sony of Canada Ltd. launches the Reader Digital Book, the first electronic reading device in Canada

2009

Sony of Canada Ltd. announces the Bravia VE5 HDTV, its most energy efficient LCD HDTV to date

2015

Sony Style stores closes all 14 stores in Canada.[1]

Sony Style
Sony Style retail store in 2014

Sony Style was Sony of Canada's direct retail brand. Customers in Canada could purchase Sony products through two Sony Style retail channels; at 70 Sony Style retail stores across the country, and online. The first Sony Store retail store opened its doors in 1982, and Sony Style online was launched in April 1999.

On January 15, 2015, Sony of Canada Ltd. closed its 14 remaining bricks-and-mortar retail outlets across the country.

The Broadcast Communication Solutions Group

The Broadcast Communication Solutions (BCS) Group is a division of Sony of Canada Ltd., headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. BCS Group markets and supports Sony's full range of broadcast, professional video and audio equipment, including high definition video, interactive and security applications for the broadcast, production, business, industry, government, medical and education sectors through a network of authorized dealers and system integrators.

Sony Canada’s environmental responsibility

Sony Canada has maintained a corporate stance on environmental sustainability, with the first corporately sponsored consumer electronics of any company in Canada. Sony accepts all of its products for recycling, at no additional cost. In April 2008, through a partnership with GEEP, Sony Canada established a network of collection sites across the country where customers can drop off any old Sony product for recycling, at no charge.

In October 2008, The Recycling Council of Ontario presented Sony Canada with the top-level Platinum award in the Business Category at the 2008 Waste Minimization Awards.

It was noted that the 70 Sony Style retail stores across Canada accepted all handheld Sony electronics for recycling (cameras, camcorders, etc.) at no charge, recycled rechargeable batteries, operated a VAIO notebook trade-in program, and used 100% biodegradable bags. In addition to its recycling programs, Sony is focused on environmentally conscious product design, fostering environmental education in youth, and making environmental improvements at its offices across Canada.

The Sony Canada Charitable Foundation

The Sony Canada Charitable Foundation (SCCF) is a non-profit organization devoted to the betterment of children, the environment and the community. Through funding from Sony of Canada Ltd. and fundraising activities involving employees, dealers, suppliers and customers, the SCCF supports three key charities; the Make-A-Wish Canada, the United Way of Canada and EarthDay and ECOKIDS program. The SCCF also provides an employee donation matching program for Sony Canada employees. Some of the notable charities that SCCF has been actively supporting include:

Make-A-Wish Canada

The SCCF provides electronic products in support of all related requests made of Make-A-Wish by children across Canada with life-threatening illnesses. Sony has made more than 130 wishes come true for children across Canada.

United Way of Canada

The SCCF supports the United Way, by employee fundraising activities and by matching all employee donations through a payroll deduction program.

EarthDay and Eco Kids Program

The SCCF supports the environmental education program which promotes participation and student engagement in local environmental initiatives.

The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

On September 7, 2007, Sony Canada and The Board of Directors of the Hummingbird Centre commenced a partnership agreement for the revitalization of the Hummingbird Centre (now renamed the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts). The facility has gone through a complete interior renovation which began in June 2008, which transformed it into a multimedia theatre and concert venue. The 47-year-old building will be outfitted with advanced audio and video products from Sony .

Sony companies

Sony Mobile

Sony Mobile Communications (formerly known as Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications) sells mobile phones, accessories and PC-cards. Established as a joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in 2001, with global corporate functions located in London, the company employs over 7,500 people worldwide, including R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China and America. Sony acquired Ericsson's share in the venture on February 16, 2012 and renamed the company as Sony Mobile Communications.

Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. sells the PlayStation and PSone game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Sony Music

Sony Music (Canada) Inc. carries on the Canadian operations of Sony Music Entertainment, a global recording music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local and international artists, as well as a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history.

Sony Music (Canada) Inc. is home to artists including Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Rod Stewart, Il Divo, Tony Bennett, Alicia Keys, Dixie Chicks, Shakira, John Mayer, Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Foo Fighters amongst many others. This also includes one of the deepest catalogues in the business with a diverse roster from the likes of AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis and Glenn Gould. The Canadian repertoire has strength in both the new and the known with Eva Avila, Kalan Porter, illScarlett, The Guess Who, Leonard Cohen and Celine Dion.

Sony Pictures

SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television production and distribution, worldwide channel investments, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment products, services and technologies, and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.

References
  1. Star|date=January 15, 2015
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