Zynga Reshuffle Sees Three Top Execs Go

[Karloff]

Zynga Reshuffle Sees Three Top Execs Go

Don Mattrick is cleaning house.

an email [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125553-Xbox-President-Don-Mattrick-Leaving-For-Zynga-UPDATED] sent by Mattrick to Zynga staff.

It's an abrupt change of fortune for Ko, who only OMGPop [http://www.businessinsider.com/david-ko-coo-zynga-2012-11], the investment that cost millions for almost no return. As COO, Ko had oversight for all of Zynga's game development; now the people who used to report to him report to Mattrick.

Zynga's share price is down 17% since its announcement that real money gambling [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/126342-Zynga-Q2-Financials-Profits-Crater-Active-Users-Melt-Away] is off the table. Mattrick's hope is that he can turn that share price slide around, but it will be an uphill battle. We'll soon see whether his newly promoted generals are fit for combat.

Source: Bloomberg [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-13/zynga-coo-david-ko-leaving-amid-executive-reorganization.html]


Permalink

 

[Naqel]

If it was any other company, I'd say I like what they're trying to do...

But it's Zynga.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

That's a lovely picture there of Don Mattrick beside the Stargate that brought him into our dimension.

Although it's nice to see a company actually firing the top staff for their failings instead of taking it out on the developers. I hope EA is taking notes!

 

[Thaluikhain]

Read the title wrong, and thought Zynga were making see-through tops.

 

[masticina]

Seems Matt already is doing awesome work there. There is a lovely way down to go.. deep into the depths of zero!

Lets applaud this guy shall we

 

[GoaThief]

The reason Zynga won't make the obviously moneymaking move to include real cash in it's poker games and the like is simple, the games are juiced for action (essentially rigged with improbable outcomes so people put more money in).

It's one thing to do it with "fake" money, despite people buying the pretend currency with real world moolah, but there are laws in place in regards to gambling which if applied would put Zynga in a whole heap of trouble. As pretty much all their games are built from the ground up in this at best disingenuous method, it is virtually impossible for them to change now without starting from scratch.

Mattrick seems to be shaking things up so I guess nothing is impossible, although I can't see Zynga making a move for an existing online casino network. I wonder if we'll see some original games in the future, something they've not done since inception?

 

[Teoes]

I need to go to TotalBiscuit to ask one simple question:
WTF is.. Chief People Officer? (Also, Chief Mobile Officer)

Nice to see Don Mattick talking bullshit again. Do you think his morning conversation around the breakfast table is in business-speak buzzword?

 

[MCerberus]

Funny thing about these moves. The employees, contractors, and vendors don't get golden parachutes when 'downsized'.

 

[kael013]

So Mattrick already was able to find 3 people with worse business sense than him to fire? Thought that would take longer...

Seriously though, this is going to be an interesting story of fighting against the odds. I'm hoping that they put a twist on the ending and have it end in failure. I mean, c'mon, it's Zynga.

ALSO: [quote/]"layers out of the executive rank to get senior leaders closer to [b/]important product initiatives[/b]."[/quote]

Can this guy just not help talking in expo-speak? What does these mean in English!?

 

[Pyrian]

Read the title wrong, and thought Zynga were making see-through tops.

That's the Evony/Wartune guys.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

ALSO: [quote/]"layers out of the executive rank to get senior leaders closer to [b/]important product initiatives[/b]."

Can this guy just not help talking in expo-speak? What does these mean in English!?[/quote]
Basically replace 'senior leaders' with 'Mark Pincus and Don Mattrick', and 'important product initiatives' with 'money', and you have your answer.

Also, did he fire them by email? Because that would be highly inappropriate, unless of course he sent thousands of other emails at the same time inviting them to join him on Farmville. In which case it would be highly appropriate.