Tom Conrad takes permanent leadership role at Sonos amid recovery efforts
- Sonos has appointed Tom Conrad as its new and permanent CEO after serving as interim CEO since January 2025.
- Conrad's leadership comes after a challenging period marked by a controversial software update that dissatisfied many customers.
- The board of directors believes Conrad is the ideal leader to innovate and drive growth for Sonos moving forward.
In July 2025, Sonos, a prominent multi-room speaker and audio brand based in the United States, faced significant challenges following a controversial software update that garnered backlash from customers. This software update, introduced in 2024, resulted in complaints regarding missing popular features and issues with faulty firmware updates, leaving some speakers unusable. The company's leadership recognized the necessity for change and conducted a comprehensive search for a new CEO to restore customer trust and guide the company through a transformative phase. Tom Conrad, who had been serving as interim CEO since January 2025, was named the permanent CEO of Sonos. The board of directors, led by chair Julius Genachowski, expressed confidence in Conrad's ability to lead the company into a new chapter focused on innovation and customer satisfaction. During his tenure as interim CEO, Conrad made notable strides in reestablishing urgency and commitment to improving the quality of Sonos's software updates and overall product experience. Conrad's background in the consumer technology sector spans over three decades, including previous leadership roles at Zero Longevity Science and Quibi. His experience also includes significant positions at Snap Inc., where he contributed to innovations that solidified Snapchat’s position in the market, and a foundational role at Apple in developing the Macintosh user interface. This extensive background positions him uniquely to navigate the evolving landscape of consumer technology. As CEO, Conrad aims to harness advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies to enhance user experiences, addressing the challenges the company has faced and preparing Sonos for future opportunities. Tom Conrad emphasizes that while recovery has begun, the company is just getting started in reimagining products and services for its customers, indicating a strong commitment to continued improvement and growth. The move to appoint Conrad as permanent CEO aims to stabilize Sonos and reassure staff and customers alike as the company works to regain trust and redefine its brand identity.