Key information
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has been appointed to the board of directors at Skydance, the new entertainment entity formed by the merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount. Kotick, who departed Activision following its 2023 acquisition by Xbox, joins a 13-person board that includes philanthropist Laurene Powell and advisor Tony Blair.
Skydance CEO David Ellison praised Kotick for his experience in managing sustained growth and building franchises. The merger also consolidates the gaming divisions of Warner Bros. and Paramount under the leadership of Tony Driscoll. This new unit will manage various intellectual properties, including Mortal Kombat, Harry Potter, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The appointment follows a controversial tenure at Activision, where Kotick faced allegations regarding company culture and his handling of sexual misconduct reports. While a Wall Street Journal investigation alleged Kotick was aware of specific misconduct claims, he has denied these reports. Recent accounts suggest his legal representatives have pressured outlets to retract or modify coverage of these allegations.
The newly merged gaming division aims to expand across physical and digital markets, building on existing franchises like DC Comics. This comes as Warner Bros. faces a challenging period in game development, marked by recent layoffs at Rocksteady and Warner Bros. Montreal. Meanwhile, Paramount continues work on titles like TMNT: The Last Ronin.
