EA's Pleasants replaced by Microsoft's Schappert
John Schappert hired as chief operating officer, returns to the company he first joined in 1991
Following the announcement of COO John Pleasants departing the company, Electronic Arts has announced that John Schappert has been hired away from Microsoft to assume the role of COO.
Schappert, who joined Microsoft in 2007 to create the Live Software division, will oversee worldwide publishing, the Online Platform Group, EA Interactive, and various other divisions within the company.
"After nearly two decades working in or around this company, I’ve got EA in my blood," said Schappert. "This is a team that is intensely focused on quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to rejoining EA as chief operating officer and helping grow the business on new platforms and in new markets."
Schappert first joined Electronic Arts as a software engineer in 1991. He formed Tiburon Entertainment just three years later, where he helped develop games in the EA Sports line that included the Madden NFL and National Hockey League franchises. Tiburon was acquired by EA in 1998.
In 2002 Schappert moved on to the EA Burnaby Studio in British Columpia, where he oversaw the FIFA Soccer, NHL Hockey, and Need for Speed franchises, among others, before being hired at Microsoft in 2007.
"We are thrilled to welcome John Schappert back to EA," said EA CEO John Riccitiello. "He has a great track record as a leader and innovator in our industry. His years of experience with EA and in Microsoft’s Xbox business, provide him great insight into recognizing what consumers want."