Hiroki Totoki to take over as president and CEO of Sony Mobile Communications from Nov. 16

In a Thursday announcement, Japanese device maker Sony revealed that its smartphone business - Sony Mobile Communications - will soon be headed by Hiroki Totoki; thanks to a switch of high-level executives by the company.

According to the announcement made by Sony, the reins of Sony Mobile Communications will be handed over to Hiroki Totoki - who will be the division's president and CEO - next month.

Totoki - who is presently Sony's SVP of corporate planning and new business creation - will take over the headship of Sony's smartphone business from Kunimasa Suzuki, who has been named the Executive VP of Sony Entertainment.

Going by Sony's Thursday statement, Totoki will be the new head of Sony Mobile Communications with effect from November 16. Though the company has refrained from divulging the reason behind the management shakeup, the move is apparently a result of the fact that Sony has failed to make any substantial mark in the smartphone arena even despite its best efforts.

Noting that Sony needs to ensure that its smartphone business is profitable, particularly "in light of the global mobile market that is rapidly becoming competitive and difficult," a Sony spokeswoman said: "Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai judged Mr. Totoki, who has a proven track record in turning the business profitable, is the most suited for the job."