Sony Named #1 in Annual Harris Poll of Best Brands for Fifth Year in a Row

NEW YORK - July 8, 2004 -- For the fifth year in a row, and the seventh time in the last ten years, Sony has been voted as the number one brand, according to the annual Harris Poll¨ of "best brands." Since the Harris Poll began measuring best brands in 1995, Sony has been named number one seven times (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004).

This year's results are part of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,136 adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive¨ between June 10 and 16, 2004. The survey asked respondents to name the three brands they considered the best. In the ten years since the annual Harris Poll of best brands began, Sony has never been lower than third. Sony led this year's list followed by Coca-Cola, Dell, Kraft and Toyota. The results of the survey were released today.

"We are very proud that the Harris Poll continues to recognize the value of the Sony brand. The strength of the Sony brand is a result of our continued dedication to quality and excellence across all of our businesses including electronics, videogames, motion pictures, television, digital entertainment, and music," said Tim Baxter, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Sony Corporation of America. "Our ability to sustain such high brand recognition consistently among consumers is a true testament to the innovation, creativity, and dedication of Sony employees around the world."

Sony Corporation of America, based in New York City, is the U.S. subsidiary of Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, motion picture, television, computer entertainment, and online businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., and Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of over $72 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, and it employs 162,000 people worldwide. Sony's consolidated sales in the U.S. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, was $20.4 billion. Sony Corporation of America's homepage is: http://www.sony.com/SCA/index.shtml

Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll¨, and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research from its U.S. offices and through wholly owned subsidiaries-London-based HI Europe (www.hieurope.com), Paris-based Novatris and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan-as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent market- and opinion-research firms. EOE M/F/D/V

To become a member of the Harris Poll OnlineSM and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit www.harrispollonline.com