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Microsoft, Sony and Ford CEOs to Keynote 2009 Int’l CES

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today that the chief executives of Microsoft, Sony and Ford will deliver keynote addresses at the 2009 International CES. Produced by CEA, the 2009 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, is scheduled for January 8-11, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“These exciting keynote speakers demonstrate that the 2009 International CES is the hub of activity in the consumer electronics, entertainment content, and automotive industries,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “Steve Ballmer and Sir Howard Stringer are driving forces behind the continued growth of the consumer technology industry. Alan Mulally is a true visionary spurring technology innovation in the automotive market. These leaders are changing the way technology is being incorporated into new markets, and CES attendees will all benefit from these keynotes unveiling the next generation of technology.”

Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft Corp., will deliver a pre-CES keynote address on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation, will kick off the 2009 International CES at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, January 8, with an opening keynote address, following a State of the CE Industry Address delivered by Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company, will round out the first day of the 2009 CES with an afternoon keynote at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. All keynotes at the 2009 International CES will be held in The Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom.

Steve Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after being the first business manager hired by Bill Gates, and was named chief executive officer in 2000. With Microsoft’s goal to provide an integrated platform to enable a seamless experience across a range of computing and non-PC devices and services, Ballmer is focused on continuing Microsoft’s innovation and leadership across the company’s seven businesses. He is known for his unique leadership style and strong passion for the technology industry.

Sir Howard Stringer has been chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Corporation since June 2005. He is also a representative corporate executive officer of Sony Corporation. Additionally, Sir Howard serves as chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America, as well as corporate head of Sony Corporation’s Entertainment Business Group. He is a member of the board of directors of Sony Corporation, and is a Board member of Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Sony Ericsson. He joined Sony Corporation in May 1997. Prior to joining Sony, Sir Howard had a distinguished 30-year career as a journalist, producer and executive at CBS Inc.

Alan Mulally joined Ford Motor Company as president and CEO in 2006, after serving as executive vice president of The Boeing Company, and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Mulally is known for his innovation and focused leadership, and is implementing an aggressive plan to transform Ford into a lean, global enterprise that delivers products and technologies that customers want and value. He was named “Person of the Year” in 2006 by Aviation Week magazine and one of “The Best Leaders of 2005” by BusinessWeek magazine.

Details on other industry executives speaking at the 2009 International CES will be released this fall.

The 2009 International CES will feature more than 2,700 exhibitors introducing the latest consumer technology products throughout 30 product categories including digital entertainment, high performance audio, digital imaging, electronic gaming and more. For more information and to register to attend the 2009 International CES visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.