Nothing is going well for the boss of Activision! Indeed, the recent cases concerning systemic sexual harassment within the company go back to the CEO, who was probably aware of the situation…
Worse still, Bobby Kotick himself has allegedly shown inappropriate conduct in recent years.
When there's more, there's more
In recent months, allegations of sexual assault and harassment against Activision Blizzard employees have hit the headlines. So many senior officers had to leave in the face of mounting evidence. The charges notably affected the Blizzard division, but also studios such as Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games. The very serious The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has returned to the charge with new information that is quite embarrassing for the boss of the company.
Thus, the testimonies of former employees and internal documents recovered by the WSJ indicate that Bobby Kotick was aware of the actions of the incriminated persons. Since the publication of these cases, the principal concerned has constantly claimed that he knew nothing. Worse still, it would have gone so far as to stifle internal investigations by refusing to solicit the board of directors.
In 2017, at the end of a well-watered event, the co-director of Treyarch named Dan Bunting sexually harassed one of his collaborators. The human resources department investigated this story, then ended up recommending Bunting's dismissal. A recommendation to which Bobby Kotick opposed by confirming the director of the studio in his post. Finally, following recent investigations by the WSJ, Dan Bunting nevertheless ended up resigning.
A boss soon to be fired?
But it's not over, because Bobby Kotick is himself under fire from accusations of harassment. In particular, he allegedly threatened an assistant with death by telephone in 2006 via a voice message. According to an Activision spokesperson, he quickly apologized for his more than inappropriate conduct.
In short, these last elements will not help matters within the teams of Activision Blizzard. More than 150 employees spontaneously went on an indefinite strike to demand the departure of Bobby Kotick. And if the latter has received the support of the management committee of his company, the pressure is likely to be stronger with this final information.
Because, according to the Washington Post, a group of shareholders is now demanding the immediate dismissal of the CEO (but also of his associates Brian Kelly and Robert Morgado). If this request is not followed by action, the shareholders are threatening to replace the board of directors during the next annual meeting. Will this stroke of pressure lead to the departure of Bobby Kotick? Case to follow!
On the same subject :
Activision Blizzard targeted by a complaint of discrimination and sexual harassment
Sources : Video Games Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post
