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New leadership at Blizzard.
— Blizzard Entertainment (@Blizzard_Ent) August 3, 2021
? https://t.co/536WzIJLJv
Blizzard's note about president J Allen Brack's departure doesn't mention the misconduct scandals or company failures, but does say new leaders want to "ensure Blizzard is the safest, most welcoming workplace" and focused on "rebuilding your trust" https://t.co/Yjy3tRg2cF
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) August 3, 2021
Activision-Blizzard (alongside Bobby Kotick and other execs) is now facing the inevitable securities fraud lawsuits over its alleged harassment problem https://t.co/N7d0ntHbCI pic.twitter.com/iUlTsdMzlY
— Adi Robertson (@thedextriarchy) August 3, 2021
This news comes during a cultural reckoning at Blizzard in the wake of a California lawsuit two weeks ago alleging discrimination at the company. Activision Blizzard president Daniel Alegre said in an email to staff that Brack was "leaving the company to pursue new opportunities"
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) August 3, 2021
Titles mean a lot in the corporate world.
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) August 3, 2021
Until 2018, Mike Morhaime was CEO.
When Brack took over, he was president.
Now, Oneal and Ybarra are described as "co-leaders."
A clear glimpse at who's really in charge: Bobby Kotick
Keep firing leadership until every abuser and complacent manager who knew about the abuse is gone https://t.co/iQNWzXtkgv pic.twitter.com/aYiVQGFJqV
— ElectricDCx (@PSN_ElectricDC) August 3, 2021
Timing tracks. Activision Blizzard reports quarterly earnings today and, if they do it as they always do, will take live calls from analysts. Brack, as head of Blizzard, usually is on those calls. https://t.co/L1dVX93CKM
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) August 3, 2021
That's the bare minimum. https://t.co/pTEo9EYzCv
— RKS | Laura Lu-Na? (@LauraLunaLu) August 3, 2021
Key context is that Activision's quarterly earnings call is today. On a typical call, Brack would be among the execs fielding answers from analysts.
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) August 3, 2021
Instead, he won't be there and Activision Blizzard leadership can present this to shareholders as proof they're taking action
BREAKING: Blizzard president J. Allen Brack is leaving the company, Activision Blizzard just told staff. Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will take over as "co-leaders of Blizzard."
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) August 3, 2021
Filed to Bloomberg Terminal, story will be live shortly
His resignation ultimately changed nothing. The new leadership was still implicit in the work environment that has been cultivated at Blizzard for decades. This is just an attempt at appeasement without meaningful change. https://t.co/3TyC7AVcfc
— LucidFoxx (@LucidFoxx) August 3, 2021
Here’s the email Daniel Alegre, President & Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard, sent: pic.twitter.com/du41ESig2N
— CharlieIntel - Call of Duty News (@charlieINTEL) August 3, 2021
Right before today’s earnings call Blizzard has made some leadership changes. J. Allen Brack has stepped down. https://t.co/J9SPDUrgyl
— MVG (@ModernVintageG) August 3, 2021
Classic. Getting to resign instead of facing consequences.
— Charles Randall (@charlesrandall) August 3, 2021
The mediocre abusive male dream. https://t.co/tGMYQcTF7Q
Kotick's still in charge, they still have torture apologists on the payroll, they still have former Trump administration members on the payroll.
— Nash Across the 8th Dimension (@Nash076) August 3, 2021
This is meaningless. https://t.co/KXIXKyvOzJ
But there hasn't been a trial yet. What's the point of this? https://t.co/ZrFjkkg7g3
— Tony Polanco (@Romudeth) August 3, 2021
Well damn, that was quick by corporate standards.https://t.co/F6BhG2PTHO
— M.H. Williams (@AutomaticZen) August 3, 2021