Activision Blizzard, Inc. is an American interactive entertainment company founded in 2008 through the merger of Vivendi Games and Activision. The company is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol NASDAQ: ATVI, and since 2015 has been one of the stocks that make up the S&P 500. Activision Blizzard currently includes five business units: Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Major League Gaming, Activision Blizzard Studios, and King Digital Entertainment.

Media & Entertainment

Activision Blizzard

Fernando Machado has served as the Chief Marketing Officer since April 2021.

Prior to joining [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard), Machado served as the chief marketing officer for [Restaurant Brands International](/org/restaurant-brands-international) (RBI), where he oversaw brand and marketing strategy for the group’s portfolio of restaurants that include Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons. At RBI, he led campaigns such as “McWhopper,” “Google Home of the Whopper,” “Whopper Detour,” “Stevenage Challenge,” and “Moldy Whopper.”  Before joining RBI, he spent nearly 20 years working across [Unilever](/org/unilever)’s product categories and brands.

Machado serves on the boards of directors for The One Club for Creativity and the Miami Ad School, and he is a member of the D&AD Impact council and the Cannes Lions advisory committee.

Fernando Machado

Jessica Martinez is currently the VP, Head of Culture at Blizzard Entertainment, an American video game developer and publisher. Jessica has held this position since March of 2022. Prior to this, they were the Director of Strategic Operations for the Office of the CTO at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products from August of 2019 to March of 2022. In this role, Jessica was responsible for leading cross-cutting organizational initiatives, business operations and strategic projects, including diversity and inclusion. Jessica was also the Head of internal and cultural communications, employee recognition and events.

Before their time at Disney Parks, Jessica worked for [The Walt Disney Company](/org/disney) as the Director of Strategic Planning, Budget and Communications from April of 2008 to August of 2019. In this role, Jessica served as the Chief of Staff and strategic planning advisor to the Chief Security Officer. Additionally, they acted as key management liaison to all Global Security teams and Disney business segments regarding Global Security's long-term vision and mission, strategy, and budget.

Between their positions at Disney Parks and [The Walt Disney Company](/org/disney), Jessica worked as a freelance writer from 2006-2007 for Radio Free Europe, Radio. Jessica also served as a Senior Analyst at DeticaDFI from August of 2005 to February of 2008. Prior to that, they were the Special Assistant to the Secretary General at the Council of Women World Leaders from September of 2004 to July of 2005.

Jessica Martinez received a M.A. in International Politics from [American University](/org/american-university), a B.A. in International Affairs/Economics & Business from [Lafayette College](/org/lafayette-college), and was a Fulbright Scholar in Political Economy at [The University of Freiburg](/org/the-university-of-freiburg).

Jessica Martinez reports to Mike Ybarra, President, Blizzard Entertainment.

Jessica Martinez

Most recently at Google, Alegre was President of Global Retail and Shopping, where he led initiatives to embed ecommerce across all Google product areas and helped diversify beyond advertising into the retail transactions business. Prior to that, he was President of the company’s Global and Strategic Partnerships function, working across all of Google’s core business lines to create and foster key strategic relationships and revenue acceleration with partners around the world. Alegre also ran Google’s Asia Pacific and Japan businesses as President based in Singapore and Tokyo where he opened the first operations in China, Southeast Asia and India, and expanded the footprint in Japan, Australia and Korea. Previously, he opened and ran the Latin American business for Google as company Vice President.

Prior to joining Google, Alegre, who is originally from Mexico, worked at [Bertelsmann](/org/bertelsmann) and BMG Music. Alegre received an undergraduate degree from [Princeton University](/org/princeton)’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and dual MBA and law degrees from [Harvard Business School](/org/harvard-business-school) and Harvard Law School.

Daniel Alegre

Frances F. Townsend has served as Senior Counsel since October 2022. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer.

Before joining Activision Blizzard, Fran served as vice chairman, general counsel, and chief administrative officer at MacAndrews & Forbes, Inc. Prior to that, she was a corporate partner with Baker Botts LLP. From 2004 to 2008, Fran served as the assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism to President George W. Bush, chairing the Homeland Security Council during a pivotal period for the United States.

Fran is on several non-profit boards including the Atlantic Council, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Council on Foreign Relations. She also is the Co-Chair of the Council on Foreign Relations-sponsored Independent Task Force on Preparing for the Next Pandemic. 

Frances F. Townsend

Robert Corti is currently the Director at [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard). Prior to that, they were with Securities Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC) from January 2002 to December 2007 as Principle Auditor. Before SIAC, Robert was with Arthur Andersen LLP from June 1999 to April 2002 as an Experienced Senior Consultant. 

As a Senior Consultant, Robert focused on IT processes optimization, information security, risk management, and the design and delivery of strategic IT products. Robert's client experience ranged across several sectors including Financial Services, Technology, Consumer Goods, Utilities, and Industrial Products. Robert also served as an Information Security Architect for a leading telecommunications company as part of an 6 month outsourcing agreement where they participated in the development of information security policies and standards.

Robert's experience and skills have led him to their current position as Director at [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard).

Robert Corti has an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School and a BA in economics from the [College of the Holy Cross](/org/college-of-the-holy-cross).

Robert Corti

Peter Nolan is the current director at [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard), and they have also previously worked with Ortega National Parks, Diamond Wipes International, Fresh Brothers, [Nolan Capital, Inc.](/org/nolan-capital), [Leonard Green & Partners](/org/leonard-green-partners), and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. From 1990 to 1997, they were the managing director and head of DLJ/LA Investment Banking Group. Peter was also with Drexel Burnham Lambert from 1986 to 1990 as first vice president in investment banking and leveraged finance/mergers and acquisitions. Their career started as vice president at Prudential Bache Securities from 1982 to 1986.

Peter Nolan attended [Cornell University](/org/cornell-university) for both their undergraduate and graduate studies. Peter earned a BS in business from the Dyson School of Business before completing their MBA in finance from [Cornell University](/org/cornell-university).

Peter Nolan

Daniel Cherry III

Zerza has been with the organization for more than five years, joining as the CFO of Blizzard Entertainment in 2015. Before transitioning into Chief Financial Officer in April of 2021, Zerza served as both the chief operating officer of Blizzard and the chief commercial officer for [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard).

As Chief Commercial Officer of [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard), Armin oversaw global sales, supply chain, go-to-market, and partnerships for Activision Publishing, Inc. As Chief Operating Officer of Blizzard, Armin oversaw all commercial and operational functions for the company, including franchise commercial leaders, marketing, communications, finance, business intelligence, legal, and the company’s owned-and-operated Battle.net distribution platform. This entailed ensuring balanced top- and bottom-line growth; leading the strategy for business, franchise, and platform development; and creating value based on efficient and effective resource allocation toward the best business opportunities. 

Armin joined [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard) in August 2015 with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience at [Procter & Gamble](/org/procter-gamble), serving in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He has held a number of CFO roles across [Procter & Gamble](/org/procter-gamble), including [Procter & Gamble](/org/procter-gamble)’s global M&A team and multibillion-dollar businesses, such as European Baby Care and Latin America divisions. Armin also serves as a board member of the Italy [Procter & Gamble](/org/procter-gamble)-Fater and Spain [Procter & Gamble](/org/procter-gamble)-Arbora & Ausonia joint ventures. He holds a degree from Vienna University.

Armin Zerza

Rob Kostich is President of Activision and has an extensive tenure of more than 16 years with the company, having served in a number of roles since 2004. As president, he oversees all worldwide functions and business operations for Activision Publishing.

Prior to being named President of Activision in January 2019, Rob served for more than a decade as General Manager and Executive Vice President, leading the Call of Duty franchise. Under his direction, Call of Duty became a global phenomenon played by hundreds of millions of fans around the world, surpassing more than $20 billion in sales globally. 

Rob has also led a number of additional successful Activision game franchises, including Marvel Comics, James Bond, Transformers, and Tony Hawk. He also established Call of Duty’s esports program, beginning with the original Call of Duty World League and more recently helping to launch the inaugural season of the new Call of Duty League.

Prior to joining Activision, Rob held a variety of leadership and marketing positions at [Verisign](/org/verisign), Nestlé USA, and [The Clorox Company](/org/the-clorox-company). He began his career in [KPMG](/org/kpmg)’s audit division where he became a Certified Public Accountant.

Rob holds a BA degree from UCLA and an MBA degree from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He also serves as President of Activision’s Call of Duty Endowment

Rob Kostich

Wendy Spindler

Mike LaPorte

Matt Evans

Bobby Kotick is Chief Executive Officer of [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard). Over the course of a quarter century under his leadership, [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard) has grown to become the world’s most successful standalone interactive entertainment company. [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard) reaches hundreds of millions of users across almost every country, making it the largest game network in the world. The company’s talented teams have created some of the most beloved and iconic entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty, Candy Crush and World of Warcraft. [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard) is a member of the S&P 500 and is one of Fortune’s "100 Best Companies to Work For."

Robert Kotick

Kristen Hines has served as our Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer since April 2022. In this role, she implements programs and policies that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment, and partners across all gaming teams to ensure diverse and inclusive perspectives, including storylines, character development, gameplay, and community interaction.

Prior to joining [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard), Kristen led the Global Inclusion, Diversity and Equity practice at [Accenture](/org/accenture) and sat on the firm’s global leadership team for the CEO Transformation practice.  In that role, she helped organizations establish and strengthen their own DEI strategies and capabilities, ensuring success through integration with the business, data-driven accountability and continuous feedback loops between leaders and employees.  She brings over two decades of experience across a variety of clients and industries, and has focused on large-scale enterprise and culture transformation, talent strategies, and mergers and acquisitions.

Kristen holds a BA degree from University of Michigan and an MBA from Ohio State University.

Kristen Hines

Grant Dixton has served as Chief Legal Officer since June 2021.

Prior to joining [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard), Grant served as senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of The Boeing Company, in addition to serving as a member of the company’s Executive Council. Prior to Boeing, Dixton served in the White House as associate counsel to the president. Earlier in his career, Dixton practiced law at [Kirkland & Ellis](/org/kirkland-ellis-llp) in Washington, D.C. He served as a law clerk for the [Supreme Court of the United States](/org/supreme-court-of-the-united-states) and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Dixton received his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from [Harvard University](/org/harvard).

Grant Dixton

Kerry Carr

Mike Ybarra serves as the President of Blizzard Entertainment. Mike joined Blizzard in November 2019 from Microsoft, where he worked for nearly 20 years in a variety of technical and leadership roles. In 2009, he became the GM of Xbox Live, and he went on to hold roles of increasing responsibility within the Xbox division, culminating as Corporate Vice President, Xbox Live, Xbox Game Pass, and Mixer. 

Mike Ybarra

Mr. Kelly has held various positions of responsibility with [Activision Blizzard](/org/activision-blizzard) since 1991, including serving as a director of the Company since July 1995, the co-chairman of our Board from October 1998 until October 2013 and as chairman of our Board since 2013.  In addition, Mr. Kelly is the co-founder of the [Call of Duty Endowment](/org/call-of-duty-endowment), a trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the founder and chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance.  Mr. Kelly holds a B.A. degree in accounting from [Rutgers University](/org/rutgers-university) and a J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Brian Kelly

Carolyne Savini

Julie Hodges has served as Chief People Officer since September 2021.

Prior to joining Activision Blizzard, Julie served as a Human Resource executive for 21 years at The Walt Disney Company and worked across multiple disciplines and diverse businesses. Julie was Senior Vice President for Corporate HR, Total Rewards, and Talent Acquisition, where she developed strategies to attract and retain top talent and to support the growth strategies and values of the Company. Earlier in her career, she led HR for Disney’s largest global business segment, Parks and Resorts, with over 120K employees.

Julie received a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Activision Blizzard

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Teams

Leadership Team

CEO and Executive Team

Board of Directors

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