Sony - $1.1 Billion Annual Loss

Is this an indicator of just how bad the economy is? If a company and brand as strong as Sony is struggling, what do the small startups with very little cash and even kess brand equity face.

Sony said to be sitting on $1.1 billion annual loss, first in 14 years

There are plenty of directions to point fingers: trying to be a premium brand in a weak world economy, a strong Yen (harder to export) or difficulties in making the PlayStation 3 profitable, but whatever the cause, it looks like Sony lost $1.1 billion last year, the company's first practical loss in 14 years.