Following the departure of Blizzard President Mike Ybarra last week, Microsoft has today announced a successor in the form of the Call of Duty GM Johanna Faries, who will officially begin her role on February 5th.
In a message to Blizzard employees earlier today, Faries shared her enthusiasm for the role, while also acknowledging the "mixed emotions" caused by the 1,900 jobs that were cut across Microsoft's gaming divisions recently.
"Though my official first day with you all is February 5, I want to let you know immediately that it is an honor to join you next week in this new capacity. I do so humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Today also brings some mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard – and building on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s next chapter."
"Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights."
Faries has been working on the Call of Duty team since August of 2018, originally adopting the role of a "Commissioner" for CoD eSports before becoming the General Manager of the brand in April 2021. Prior to her arrival at Activision Blizzard she spent 11 years with the NFL, rising to the role of Vice President in Club Business Development.
In a memo to staff, Xbox's Matt Booty stated that Faries has impressed with her "thoughtful, considerate and focused approach to leadership", and that she "brings with her very deep commercial and entertainment experience".