Bobby Kotick stepping down as CEO of Activision Blizzard next week
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Bobby Kotick will resign after more than 30 years as CEO of Activision Blizzard.
In a formal announcement to employees, the executive said he would be leaving on December 29.
Kotick said, "Perhaps the most important part of my job has been to help bring talented people together, provide the best resources possible, and foster an environment that encourages inspiration, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
"I cannot adequately express the pride I have in the people who continue to contribute to our success and all those who have helped throughout my 32 years leading this company."
He added that Activision Blizzard "could not be in better hands," acknowledging Microsoft's role following its acquisition of the Call of Duty maker.
As reported by The Verge, in an internal memo sent to staffers, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said, "The leadership teams for Activision Publishing, Blizzard, and King will remain in place, with no changes to the structure of how the studios and business units are run."
However, there will be a few changes primarily at the Activision Blizzard executive level.
Spencer said that Activision Blizzard vice chairman Thomas Tippl, chief administrative officer Brian Bullatao, chief people officer Julie Hodges, chief legal officer Grant Dixon, and chief financial officer Armin Zerza will stay through March in order to wrap up the company's transition to Microsoft.
Spencer added that Humam Sakhnini, vice chairman of vice chairman of Blizzard and King, will be exiting from the firm at the end of December. Meanwhile, Lulu Cheng Meservey, executive vice president of corporate affairs and chief communications
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