Activision Blizzard announced three new leadership appointments today, starting with Call of Duty executive vice president Rob Kostich being named Activision president. Former chief financial officer and chief strategy officer Humam Sakhnini has been named King Digital’s president. CFO Dennis Durkin has been named president of Activision Blizzard’s emerging businesses, and will keep his former role, too.
“With these proven, principled leaders at the helm, we will continue to invest in the strategic growth drivers of our business; our talented people, and creating the world’s best videogames, live services, mobile experiences, and new and growing franchise engagement models,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement.
Related: Blizzard president Mike Morhaime steps down
Activision’s new president is a 15-year veteran of the company and worked across the Call of Duty esports program. Kostich will “oversee strategy and operations, including game development, for the operating unit,” according to a press release.
The new leadership announcements come as Activision Blizzard faces a number of executive departures, including the termination of former CFO Spencer Neumann. Blizzard CFO Amrita Ahuja is also leaving the company and joining Square. Last year, Blizzard president Mike Morhaime stepped down from the company, succeeded by World of Warcraft producer J. Allen Brack in early October.
Kotaku reported in November and December of last year that Blizzard is seeing more of Activision’s influence seep into the company, with the goal of reducing costs yet making more games, following Morhaime’s departure.
