Activision recently announced that Eric Hirshberg has been named CEO of Activision Publishing, effective September 7. He’s a veteran of 13 years at Deutsch LA, being both CEO and Chief Creative Officer and having worked on the lauded Kevin Butler ads for SCEA.
“In contemplating the requirements for the role of Activision Publishing’s new CEO we believed it was vital to have a leader who was a dedicated gamer, inspired creative thinker, and possessed the ability to manage and lead creative talent in a manner that produced both superior products and provided superior shareholder returns,” stated Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “Eric is unique in this regard. There was no one we could find who possessed the unique blend of skills that Eric brings to Activision.”
“Eric’s experience helping to develop strategies for his clients like Sony’s PlayStation, Direct TV and HTC have given him unique exposure to video games, subscription-based entertainment and the delivery of mobile content,” continued Kotick. “I have known him for a long time and Eric is one of those rare multi-talented people who managed to build a billion dollar business from the ground up in a difficult, competitive industry using his creative skills, passion for excellence, discipline and focus. He is one of the most inspiring people I know and I am excited that his energy, determination, and keen understanding of popular culture will be added to our extraordinarily talented team.”
“Eric’s proven business development and talent management abilities combined with his established abilities as a creative leader make him uniquely suited to lead Activision Publishing for continued success,” added Activision Blizzard COO Thomas Tippl.
“I feel like everything I’ve done in my entire career has been preparing me for this,” says Hirshberg. “This is a chance to take everything I know how to do, from leading creative people, to developing a great creative product, to building a culture of ideas, and apply them to something I’ve been passionate about my entire life. Activision has a portfolio of properties, and track record of innovation that are second to none. To be able to help write the next chapter is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
