Advertising Veteran Eric Hirshberg To Head Activision's Publishing Division

Following the recent resignation of Mike Griffith, Activision Blizzard has hired advertising executive Eric Hirshberg -- allegedly a "dedicated gamer" -- to serve as CEO of its Activision Publishing division. This week, Activision said Hirshberg will assume his new position this September under Thomas Tippl, who was recently lifted from CFO to COO. Despite Griffith leaving the Activision Publishing CEO position, he remains on Activision Blizzard's board of directors, of which he retains its vice chairmanship. Hirshberg most recently served for 13 years as CEO and CCO of the Los Angeles office of Deutsche, Inc., a prestigious advertising firm. "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," said Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick in a statement. "Eric is unique in this regard," added Kotick. "There was no one we could find who possessed the unique blend of skills that Eric brings to Activision." Said 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."