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Bobby Kotick

Bobby Kotick is an American businessman best known as the founder and longtime chief executive officer of Activision and later Activision Blizzard.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bobby Kotick is an American businessman best known as the founder and longtime chief executive officer of Activision and later Activision Blizzard. He led the company from 1991 until his retirement in December 2023 after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. He has also served on the boards of several major organizations, including Coca-Cola and Yahoo.

Early life and background

Bobby Kotick was born in 1963 and is an American businessman. Publicly available sources identify him as a business executive and entrepreneur.

Activision and Activision Blizzard

Kotick became involved with Activision in the early 1990s and later led Activision Blizzard after the company’s 2008 merger with Blizzard’s parent company. He remained chief executive until retiring after the Microsoft acquisition in 2023.

Board service and philanthropy

Kotick has held board roles at major companies and institutions, including The Coca-Cola Company and Yahoo. He is also linked to the Call of Duty Endowment, a nonprofit supporting veterans.

Public profile

Kotick has been a prominent figure in the video game industry for decades. Reports have noted his unusually long tenure as a public-company technology chief executive.

Key facts

  • Kotick was the CEO of Activision and Activision Blizzard from 1991 to 2023.
  • He became one of the longest-serving leaders of a publicly traded technology company.
  • Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, he retired in December 2023.
  • He served on the board of The Coca-Cola Company from 2012 to 2022 and on Yahoo’s board from 2003 to 2008.
  • He is associated with the Call of Duty Endowment, a veteran-focused nonprofit.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bobby Kotick?
He is an American businessman best known as the founder and former CEO of Activision and Activision Blizzard.
When did Bobby Kotick stop being CEO?
He retired in December 2023 after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard.
What companies did Bobby Kotick serve on the boards of?
Publicly available sources list The Coca-Cola Company and Yahoo among his board roles.
What is the Call of Duty Endowment?
It is a veteran-focused nonprofit that Kotick co-founded and co-chairs.
What is Bobby Kotick known for in gaming?
He is known for leading Activision and Activision Blizzard for more than three decades.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Kotick
    Supports: Birth year, CEO tenure, retirement date, and board service.
  2. Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4117176
    Supports: Identity, occupation, birth date, and position held.
  3. MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conferencehttps://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/bobby-kotick
    Supports: Former CEO of Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty Endowment role.
  4. The Key Executiveshttps://www.thekeyexecutives.com/2023/09/25/bobby-kotick-a-game-industry-visionary/
    Supports: Career timeline, Activision acquisition, merger, and board roles.