Activision Gets New CEO, Hopes to be Likeable Again
Let’s face it, Activision doesn’t exactly come straight to mind when you think of well liked publishers. And with years of bad press composed mostly of unpopular Kotick quotes and shady business practices, who could blame you? Well, the new CEO of Activision Publishing sure can’t and for the most part understands where most of the gaming community is coming from.
Speaking to Kotaku, Eric Hirshberg sort of indirectly recognized the notion that, despite their many accomplishments, Activision certainly has dropped the ball somewhere.
“I only have my perceptions as a outsider to go on. I think that Activision, based on the number of great gaming experiences they have delivered, should be a more beloved brand than you would think they are by reading the core-gaming blogosphere.”
As the new CEO of one of Activision Blizzards newly created subsidiaries, Hirshberg plans to balance out the universe and make things right with the world, which shouldn’t be too difficult given the dudes reputation he built during his 13 years at marketing and advertising agency Deutsch LA. During that time, Hirshberg worked on many high profile projects, most notably Sony’s “It Only Does Everything Campaign”, and rose up through the ranks, ultimately settling as the firms CEO.
For the most part, we can’t help but agree with this guy. The appeal of their blockbuster titles routinely reflects on their earnings, yet community support lacks far behind. Still, with Kotick steadfast at the helm of AcitBlizz, it won’t be easy to convince gamers into washing the bad taste out of their mouths. Good luck, Hirsh. You’ll need it.
5 Responses to “Activision Gets New CEO, Hopes to be Likeable Again”
Only time will tell in he can make Activision likable again. Will he destroy the evil regime currently in control, or will he destroy it, or even worse, supress it so it may one day rise again with increased fury.
hello ..
how i wish this to be true … like i said in some former posts, i’m a fan of Blizzard so have no choice.
cheers!
You know what Kotick reminds me of. You ever see those people who gossip about someone whose in the room, only to say something nice to the person when the person comes up to the group. The perception I get from the guy is that he loathes us but at the same time needs us to make money. Its like he’s outright calling us ignorant gutter trash for buying his shit(games) and yet still we insist on doing exactly what he hates about us, buy his games. Honestly I won’t be buying any more games from this company. I’m not a fan of MW, not that its not a good game just not my style, and I don’t do the bandwagon thing.
Then again my opinion doesn’t really matter, unless you get say a couple million people who agree with said opinion then vote with said monies…then things begin to change. You know, the gamer community needs a voice, perhaps not just one person for balance but a voice like a group.
Just a thought.
Well you can support games made by Blizzard Entertainment and maybe the would get the message that maybe Mssr. Kotick needs to find another company to work for.
Well Kotick sucks – but he doesn’t make the games. They still have the potential to make good games, and I can’t boycott an entire publisher on the basis that the head guy blows himself. At the same time though, I can’t help but feel that they’d be better equipped to create more innovative titles and market them better if someone was at the helm who actually liked what they were creating and selling. His complete and utter lack of passions for gaming is holding the company back from doing anything…. fun.