Bonnell steps down from Atari CEO position

Publisher Atari Inc has named former music industry executive James Caparro as its new president and chief executive officer, after Bruno Bonnell stepped aside from the CEO role at the company.

Outspoken industry veteran Bonnell remains chairman and chief creative officer of Atari Inc, and will be focusing on overseeing the firm's planning for "the next stages of technological advancement in gaming," according to a statement issued last night.

His successor James Caparro has been a board member of Atari since February 2002, and comes to the company with a lengthy track record in the music business, where he has been CEO of three major labels - Warner Music Group's WEA, Universal Music's Island Def Jam Music Group, and PolyGram's Polygram Group Distribution.

"Jim's track record is impeccable," Bonnell commented in the official statement on the top-level reshuffle, "and we are thrilled to have an executive of his calibre and reputation leading Atari."

As well as his role as creative boss at Atari, Bonnell will also be continuing to serve as CEO and chairman of the publisher's parent company, French publisher Infogrames Entertainment.