Electronic Arts CEO Steps Down
See Full ImageIt's time to pass the torch over at Electronic Arts.
EA chief executive officer John Riccitiello has formally resigned his post at one of the world's biggest video game publishers. He has been CEO for six years but as of March 30, he will move on. He won't be a member of the board of directors, either.
In his place, EA has promoted veteran EA executive Larry Probst to the position of executive chairman while the company seeks a permanent replacement. Probst has been in a management position at EA since 1991 and was CEO from '91 through 2007. As of now, the company will be considering internal and external candidates and they're doing so with the help of a "leading executive search firm." So yeah, your resume might not cut it. Here's EA's statement from Probst concerning Riccitiello's departure:
"We thank John for his contributions to EA since he was appointed CEO in 2007, especially the passion, dedication and energy he brought to the Company every single day. John has worked hard to lead the Company through challenging transitions in our industry, and was instrumental in driving our very significant growth in digital revenues. We appreciate John's leadership and the many important strategic initiatives he has driven for the Company. We have mutually agreed that this is the right time for a leadership transition."
Riccitiello also had something to say about his leaving EA:
"EA is an outstanding company with creative and talented employees, and it has been an honor to serve as the Company’s CEO. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and after six years I feel it is the right time for me pass the baton and let new leadership take the Company into its next phase of innovation and growth. I remain very optimistic about EA's future; there is a world class team driving the Company’s transition to the next generation of game consoles."
When you've been CEO of a corporation like EA, what do you do next? What would be considered a step up? Heck, I'd retire.
Tags: ea, electronic arts, ea ceo, john riccitiello
3/18/2013 9:17:02 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (8 posts)
Beamboom
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 1:41:23 AM
He obviously had to leave due to the Sim City scandal, the SW: Old Republic flop and MoH who didn't live up to the expectations.
Especially the Sim City case, who can be described as nothing else than a management scandal, should cause any head to roll.
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Simcoe
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 11:00:16 AM
Despite his failure, I'm sure he'll quite easily move on to his next million dollar job with ease.
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firesoul453
Monday, March 18, 2013 @ 11:04:19 PM
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Apparently EA was complaining that their profits didn't meet expectations. I wonder if they blame him.
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Pandacastro
Monday, March 18, 2013 @ 11:09:30 PM
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Kryten1029a
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 1:01:54 AM
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On a side note, EA is once again up for the Worst Company in America award from the Consumerist and as they put it:
"No Golden Poo winner has ever repeated, but considering the timing of EA's most recent stumbles, we can only assume the company really wants a second trophy to match the one it’s already received."
Last edited by Kryten1029a on 3/19/2013 1:04:02 AM
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___________
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 4:41:47 AM
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but that would be naive........
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ProfPlayStation
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 10:33:38 PM
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1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
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Monday, March 18, 2013 @ 10:35:49 PM
And the gamer in me hopes a new leader can turn around the stupid decisions at EA, maybe get a woman CEO in there.