Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson

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For other people named Ólafur Ólafsson, see Ólafur Ólafsson (disambiguation).
This is an Icelandic name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Ólafur.
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson
Born (1962-09-26) 26 September 1962 (age 61)
Reykjavík, Iceland
NationalityIcelandic
Other namesOlaf Olafsson
EducationBrandeis University
Occupation(s)Businessman and writer
SpouseAnna Ólafsdóttir
Children3

Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (born 26 September 1962), also known as Olaf Olafsson, is an Icelandic businessman and writer.[1] He is best known for his tenure at Sony and his leadership in the creation of the PlayStation video game console.[2]

Personal life

Olafsson was born in Reykjavík, Iceland on 26 September 1962 to Anna Jónsdóttir and writer Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson.[3] He studied physics as a Wien Scholar at Brandeis University. He lives in New York City with his wife Anna Ólafsdóttir and three children.[4]

Literary career

He is the author of three previous novels, The Journey Home,

Icelandic Literary Award, was shortlisted for the Frank O’Connor Prize, and has twice been nominated for the IMPAC Award
.

Business career

Olafsson began a career at

Sony Corporation. Olafsson built and managed its businesses in the United States and Europe.[clarification needed] During his six-year tenure, he directed the worldwide operations of Sony's entertainment software and hardware divisions and was responsible for the creation and launch of the PlayStation console, which would go onto generate major sales and profits for Sony Interactive. However, Olafsson clashed with higher-ups over the PlayStation's pricing as he favoured lower price on the console. The intense feuding caused him to lose support within the company and he was forced to resign in 1996.[8]

Olafsson became a member of the board of directors of

Richard D. Parsons after Time Warner executives reasserted control over the company.[6] He was later given the title of Executive Vice President.[11][12] With the AT&T purchase of Time Warner, Olafsson and several other Time Warner executives left the combined company.[13][14]

Books

References

  1. ^ "Við verðum að styrkja listamenn". RÚV (in Icelandic). 29 March 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Ólafur Jóhann vann en var vikið". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 25 October 1995. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Skáld og athafnaskáld". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 26 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson". forlagid.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson". Reykjavík City Library.
  6. ^ a b c David Carr (5 March 2012). "Media Deals and Novels From One Busy Mind". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  7. Dagblaðið Vísir
     (in Icelandic). 31 March 1990. pp. 24–25. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  8. ^ Jennifer L. Rewick (12 January 1999). "Olafsson to Assume Key Post At Time Warner Digital Media". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  9. ^ Advanta Hires Sony Playstation Chief as President
  10. ^ Advanta president resigns
  11. ^ "Olaf J. Olafsson | Time Warner Inc". Time Warner. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  12. ^ Time Warner profile, cached
  13. ^ Paul Bond (15 June 2018). "Turner CEO Exiting as AT&T Closes on Time Warner Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Undrabarnsforstjórinn bak við margmiðlunarstarfsemina". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 24 January 1996. Retrieved 19 December 2019.

External links

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