GamingNews

Activision Blizzard hires Disney and Delta execs to be more inclusive and grow revenue

A new GamesBeat event is around the corner! Learn more about what comes next. 


Activision Blizzard hired a couple of executives today including a former Disney human resource executive as its chief people officer. That hire comes after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued the company for widespread sex discrimination in August.

Julie Hodges, formerly Disney’s senior vice president of HR, will become Activision Blizzard’s chief people officer on September 21. In addition, former Delta Airlines senior vice president Sandeep Dube will become chief commercial officer on September 27. That’s an interesting combination for a company that creates video games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft.

Activision Blizzard says Hodges brings more than three decades of HR experience in entertainment and a background in shaping corporate culture. She will be responsible for the company’s global talent organization which recruits new hires. In her role, she will lead all aspects of human resources, including diversity, equity and inclusion, talent acquisition, employee experience, learning and development, compensation and benefits and workforce planning.

Many of these matters are under investigation by the state agency, which accused the company of having a “frat boy culture” in its lawsuit. The company has fired numerous executives in the wake of its own probe into the sexual discrimination allegations. One of the executives who resigned abruptly was J. Allen Brack, the president of the company’s Blizzard Entertainment division.

Webinar

Three top investment pros open up about what it takes to get your video game funded.

The Communications Workers of America union filed an unfair labor practices complaint today against the company. It accused the company of worker intimidation and union-busting. Company workers staged a groundbreaking walkout over the summer to draw attention to the disturbing working conditions in the gaming industry at large including, but not limited to, ableist, racist, and sexist cultural practices, workplace discrimination, and pay inequity, the union noted.

The union said that, instead of responding to these demands, Activision Blizzard management is using coercive tactics, such as hiring an anti-union law firm, to attempt to prevent its employees from exercising their rights to stand together and demand a more equitable, sustainable, and diverse workplace.

New execs

Dube is taking the role that was empty since Armin Zerza, former chief commercial officer, became chief financial officer in March. Hodges is taking the role of Claudine Naughton, who will be leaving the company.

Call of Duty: Warzone.

Above: Call of Duty: Warzone is one of Activision Blizzard’s big games.

Image Credit: Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is no doubt aware that this hire in human resources could be one of the most important roles at the company as it tries to project an image of being a great place to work in the wake of the state lawsuit.

Dube will oversee Activision’s global sales and go-to-market teams. He will be responsible for developing and implementing commercial strategy and delivering on the company’s revenue growth plan.

Before joining Activision Blizzard, Dube led revenue management, product strategy, and commercial delivery at Delta. Notably, he played a key role in building the company’s loyalty program and steering the airline through the volatile demand environment created by the pandemic.

Prior to Delta, Sandeep worked for more than a decade in the banking industry as a commercial and marketing leader, driving revenue growth for consumer-lending businesses.

GamesBeat

GamesBeat’s creed when covering the game industry is “where passion meets business.” What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you — not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it.
How will you do that? Membership includes access to:

  • Newsletters, such as DeanBeat
  • The wonderful, educational, and fun speakers at our events
  • Networking opportunities
  • Special members-only interviews, chats, and “open office” events with GamesBeat staff
  • Chatting with community members, GamesBeat staff, and other guests in our Discord
  • And maybe even a fun prize or two
  • Introductions to like-minded parties

Become a member


Author: Dean Takahashi
Source: Venturebeat

Related posts
AI & RoboticsNews

AI risk management startup ValidMind raises $8.1M to help banks comply with regulations

DefenseNews

Amid faltering domestic program, Taiwan orders more MQ-9B drones

DefenseNews

BAE demos platform that gives Army AMPVs turret system options

DefenseNews

US Army’s fresh look at watercraft includes unmanned options

Sign up for our Newsletter and
stay informed!