Atari Grabs Another Sony Exec

Atari has appointed a new CEO, once again having dipped its toe into the Sony talent pool. Jim Wilson, most recently the executive VP and general manager of Sony BMG's home entertainment business, will step in.

Wilson joins fellow former Sony family-mate, Phil Harrison, in entering the volatile Atari/Infogrames stable. Harrison, formerly head of Worldwide Studios for Sony Computer Entertainment, was recently appointed as Preisident and Directeur Général Délégué of Infogrames Entertainment, Atari's parent company.

Wilson takes the reigns from Curtis G. Solsvig III, Atari’s Chief Restructuring Officer, who has been Atari's acting CEO since the company's former CEO, David Pierce, resigned in November.

Atari tells us, “Mr. Wilson’s hiring is the next key step in the restructuring of Atari”.

Wilson himself said, “Atari, Inc., with its world-renowned brand and strong library of game franchises, has a tremendous opportunity in North America. I look forward to working with the Atari team and shareholders to lead Atari, Inc. into its next phase of growth.”

Eugene Davis, chairman of the Board of Atari, uttered, “Jim has spent his career in and around the interactive entertainment space. His passion for this industry, coupled with his leadership skills and first-hand operational execution, make him the ideal person to lead the future of Atari, Inc.”

As well as his most recent role at Sony, Wilson has worked for Universal Interactive and, after Universal was acquired by Vivendi, as Vice President/General Manager of Worldwide Studios for Vivendi Universal Games.

SPOnG considered telling you that Kaz Hirai is joining Atari as COO, but... frankly all this April Fools gubbins is getting on our tits.