Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson
Encyclopedia
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson was born in Reykjavik, Iceland on September 26, 1962. He studied physics as a Wien Scholar at Brandeis University. He is the author of three previous novels, The Journey Home, Absolution and Walking Into the Night, and a story collection, Valentines. His books have been published to critical acclaim in more than twenty languages. He is the recipient of the O. Henry Award and the Icelandic Literary Award, was shortlisted for the Frank O’Connor Prize, and has twice been nominated for the IMPAC Award. He is the Executive Vice President of Time Warner
and he lives in New York City with his wife Anna Ólafsdóttir and three children.
Prior to joining Time Warner, Olafsson was president of Advanta
Corporation, since March 1998 and a member of its board of directors since 1997.
Previously, as founder, president and chief executive officer
of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc., a unit of Sony Corporation established in 1991, Olafsson built and managed its businesses in the United States and Europe. During his six-year tenure, he directed the worldwide operations of Sony’s entertainment software and hardware divisions and was responsible for the introduction of the acclaimed PlayStation
. He held several other positions at Sony, having begun his career at the company in 1985.
Valentines (Random House, 2007) Won the 2006 Icelandic Literary Prize
for fiction.
Walking Into The Night (Pantheon, 2003)
The Journey Home (Pantheon, 2000)
Palomar Pictures has considered adapting The Journey Home (Slóð fiðrildanna) for a film.
Absolution (Pantheon, 1994)
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
and he lives in New York City with his wife Anna Ólafsdóttir and three children.
Career
Before assuming his current position, Mr. Olafsson was Vice Chairman of Time Warner Digital Media where he was responsible for developing strategic business plans for Time Warner’s digital media businesses.Prior to joining Time Warner, Olafsson was president of Advanta
Advanta
Advanta was an American banking company. It controlled two banks, Advanta Bank Corp and Advanta National Bank. The banking corporation is not associated with Advanta Energy Corp., an energy consulting practice based in California. Until 1988, the company was called TSO Financial.The bank was...
Corporation, since March 1998 and a member of its board of directors since 1997.
Previously, as founder, president and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc., a unit of Sony Corporation established in 1991, Olafsson built and managed its businesses in the United States and Europe. During his six-year tenure, he directed the worldwide operations of Sony’s entertainment software and hardware divisions and was responsible for the introduction of the acclaimed PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
. He held several other positions at Sony, having begun his career at the company in 1985.
Books
Restoration (Harper Collins: Ecco, 2012)Valentines (Random House, 2007) Won the 2006 Icelandic Literary Prize
Icelandic Literary Prize
The Icelandic Literary Prize , or Icelandic Literary Award, is an award which is given to two books each year by the Icelandic Publishers Association. The prize was founded on the association's centennial in 1989. One award is for fiction or poetry and the other for academic and non-fiction works...
for fiction.
Walking Into The Night (Pantheon, 2003)
The Journey Home (Pantheon, 2000)
Palomar Pictures has considered adapting The Journey Home (Slóð fiðrildanna) for a film.
Absolution (Pantheon, 1994)