Activision strengthens management team with two new legal appointments
14 year Activision veteran promoted into newly created chief public policy officer role
Activision Blizzard has announced the appointments of two new managers within its legal team. The first sees 14 year Activision veteran George L Rose promoted into the newly created position of executive vice president and chief public policy officer. The second sees Christopher B Walther succeeding Rose in his former chief legal officer role.
Rose's appointment, which will be effective from January 1 2010, will make the exec responsible for all federal, state and foreign public policy programs, as well as for regulatory policy initiatives worldwide. In his previous position of chief legal officer, Rose oversaw the company's global legal strategy. He has worked within Activision for 14 years, and has 20 years experience in corporate entertainment law.
Walther will take over Rose's previous role as chief legal officer, joining the company from a previous position served with Procter & Gamble. There he served as general counsel for Western Europe.
"Both of these appointments further strengthen Activision Blizzard's executive management team as we grow to meet the increasing demands of the videogame industry," commented Robert Kotick.
"The creation of a new public policy role ensures that we are well positioned to proactively address the complex global legislative issues and regulatory issues likely to face our industry as we move towards even greater mass-market orientation. George has distinguished himself during his long tenure at Activision and his breadth of legal expertise will enable us to keep key stakeholder audiences abreast of our business and industry issues."
He added: "We are also very pleased to welcome Chris to Activision Blizzard. His impressive track record of success and proven experience coupled with his considerable domestic and international expertise makes him an ideal candidate for this position."