A Luiss Business Economics graduate with a career working in multinationals, Marco Saletta is now General Manager of Sony Interactive Entertainment Italy.
What are your first memories when choosing Luiss and your university career?
It was 1987 and a friend told me “I’m going to take the Luiss admissions test”. I was still hesitant about my university choice, so I discussed it with my father who told me “it would be the greatest opportunity of your life”. Surprisingly, I passed the admissions test and from that moment on, I began my 4-year journey. I then chose to specialize in marketing, and, thanks to the work opportunities, I now consider the experience at Luiss truly unique. It allows you to develop a network of people, who connect and get to know each other from all over the world.
In your opinion, are there any values that unite Luiss Alumni more than others?
Responsibility or honesty and ethics. I think these are two traits that characterize people developing at Luiss and to which I can relate to. Furthermore, I believe these are values help you to map out a realistic pathway in the world of employment. Personally, I’m more ethical than serious! Jokes aside, if you don’t have strong ethics, it’s very difficult to manage a career and support your journey especially in large companies.
Regarding the issues of diversity and inclusion, are there any good practices that can be useful for companies like yours, as well as for smaller companies, to endorse virtuous mechanisms against all discrimination?
The issues of diversity and inclusion are very new and have become meaningful in an employer’s journey. Today, Sony makes diversity and inclusion internal and external bulwarks to defend its reputation and that of the managers who represent it. The company is committed to understanding what can be done to offer them real life experiences and ensure they are not simply buzzwords. To be convincing, first-hand experience is essential. In today’s world, discrimination should no longer exist and to avoid this, we need to take actions and not just talk.
Are we all the same in front of a videogame?
Yes, of course. The videogame is a widely inclusive tool in terms of engagement and target audience. In Italy, there are about 18 million gamers, 1/3 of the population plays regularly, and they are equally divided between males and females. In the world of e-sports, there is a slight male prevalence, but Sony is very inclusive. Overall, the videogame industry sector is developing non-discriminatory practices at various levels.
Does this relate to the definition of technical profiles and in the search for talents?
Correct. Ours is a creative and technological industry that needs pure talents. This is why we are inclusive by definition – talent has no gender, it can’t have.
With respect to marketing, how has the approach to this concept changed over time and how important is it for companies like yours and in general?
Regarding communications, the principle of globalization now dominates and if you want to be a global brand, you have to be inclusive by definition. As for PlayStation, our communications always tend to be inclusive, paying close attention to the way in which we express ourselves from the soundtrack to the images linking to the brand. We cannot ignore this.
Has the pandemic changed anything in your industry and within your company?
The pandemic has changed a lot. We spent 18 months in smart-working mode and reopened offices in October. The pandemic has completely changed the rules of employee engagement. The employee wants to have freedom of choice and smart-working is a must-have. At Sony, we’re trying to offer the individual the opportunity to choose what their new “new normal” is.
A usual question: what’s your favorite videogame?
Like all Italians, I’m a brilliant Fifa player. The simulation of a sports game, like football, has always fascinated me.
CONNECT Editorial Board