Snapchat parent Snap Inc. reached into the Hollywood ranks to name a full-time chairman.
Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton will leave the film, television and music giant in six months to become chairman at Snap Inc.
When Sony was victimized by a major hacking attack in November 2014, a great deal of information about Snapchat went public, as well, as Lynton was a board member and investor in the messaging application.
Sony Corp. CEO Kaz Hirai said in an email to employees that Lynton will retain an office in the company?s lot in Culver City, Calif., to help manage the transition, adding:
I want to thank Michael for his strong leadership and dedication to Sony. His vast experience and expertise in the entertainment and media space has been invaluable in charting a path forward through a constantly-changing landscape. And Lynton said in an email to employees, as reported by Masters:
Today I will be announcing my resignation from Sony to focus on my position as chairman of the board of Snap Inc. This was not an easy decision for me, and one that I arrived at after long and careful consideration.
As some of you are already aware, I have been involved with Snapchat since its early days. Given Snapchat?s growth–and my growing role and responsibilities in it–I recently determined that the time was right to make a change.
I will be staying with Sony for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition, and ...