Warren Jenson, the executive VP and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Electronic Arts, is set to leave the publisher.
The 51 year old will stay with the company through to March 31st to see out the fiscal year and could stay on as late as September. EA has said that a replacement will be named shortly.
The exact reasons for his departure have not been revealed, but EA said the it was a "mutual decision" between him and EA's CEO, John Riccitiello. "It's time for me to write the next chapter in my career", Jenson said.
This comes following the appointment of former Ticketmaster CEO, John Pleasants, as Chief Operating Officer at the company last week.
EA is currently in the middle of a takeover bid for GTA publisher Take-Two.
An EA spokesperson attempted to waylay any speculation that Jenson's departure may be a reaction to the bid, saying, "I can say very concretely that Warren is highly supportive of EA's efforts around Take-Two and is very much aligned with (Chief Executive) John Riccitiello."
Since taking the reigns of EA a year ago, Riccitiello has moved in some high profile figures, including Peter Moore, former corporate VP of Microsoft's Xbox division and former president of Activision publishing, Kathy Vrabeck.
Reflecting on this, Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell said, "It seems to me he's moved in a completely new management team across the board. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a move to get his own people in.”
A UBS analyst, Ben Schachter was sceptical about the departure, saying, "Had the replacement been a smooth, well-telegraphed transition, the Street may have viewed it more positively. However, we think the unexpected timing will raise eyebrows and the company's risk profile."
His concern was not reflected in trading, however, with EA stock closing up 2.54% at $49.69 (£24.95) yesterday.
Naturally, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter had something to say on the subject, but SPOnG's not going to dignify it by quoting him.
So, let speculation commence as to where Jenson's heading! Could he be heading to Midway to replace its suddenly departed CEO, David Zucker? Maybe Japanese publishing giant Square Enix will snap him up to help with a push into Western markets? Then there's the formation of Activision Blizzard thundering across the horizon...
Give us your thoughts in the Forum.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press
The 51 year old will stay with the company through to March 31st to see out the fiscal year and could stay on as late as September. EA has said that a replacement will be named shortly.
The exact reasons for his departure have not been revealed, but EA said the it was a "mutual decision" between him and EA's CEO, John Riccitiello. "It's time for me to write the next chapter in my career", Jenson said.
This comes following the appointment of former Ticketmaster CEO, John Pleasants, as Chief Operating Officer at the company last week.
EA is currently in the middle of a takeover bid for GTA publisher Take-Two.
An EA spokesperson attempted to waylay any speculation that Jenson's departure may be a reaction to the bid, saying, "I can say very concretely that Warren is highly supportive of EA's efforts around Take-Two and is very much aligned with (Chief Executive) John Riccitiello."
Since taking the reigns of EA a year ago, Riccitiello has moved in some high profile figures, including Peter Moore, former corporate VP of Microsoft's Xbox division and former president of Activision publishing, Kathy Vrabeck.
Reflecting on this, Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell said, "It seems to me he's moved in a completely new management team across the board. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a move to get his own people in.”
A UBS analyst, Ben Schachter was sceptical about the departure, saying, "Had the replacement been a smooth, well-telegraphed transition, the Street may have viewed it more positively. However, we think the unexpected timing will raise eyebrows and the company's risk profile."
His concern was not reflected in trading, however, with EA stock closing up 2.54% at $49.69 (£24.95) yesterday.
Naturally, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter had something to say on the subject, but SPOnG's not going to dignify it by quoting him.
So, let speculation commence as to where Jenson's heading! Could he be heading to Midway to replace its suddenly departed CEO, David Zucker? Maybe Japanese publishing giant Square Enix will snap him up to help with a push into Western markets? Then there's the formation of Activision Blizzard thundering across the horizon...
Give us your thoughts in the Forum.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press
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