Atari: Harrison Out but Bushnell Returns
More changes at Atari following ex-EA online man's appointment but Gardner goes too.
Nolan Bushnell
The revolving doors at the boardroom of Atari are turning again with the exit of Phil Harrison and the re-entry of Atari founding father, Nolan Bushnell.
The new changes follow Atari's appointment last week of the former senior director of EA's European online publishing operations, John Burns, as VP and GM of Atari Europe.
Today's news is that "Atari S.A. announces the arrival of two new members to its Board of directors: industry veteran and Atari founder Nolan Bushnell and online entrepreneur Tom Virden step in to further reinforce the strategic insight of the Group and contribute actively to the company's planning."
While Bushnell is well-known to the video gaming world as instigator of Pong! and founder of Atari itself, Virden maybe a new name to many people. The following brief biog may explain why.
"Lately, M. Virden founded Boatbookings.com, the largest yachts charter-only website. M. Virden previously held a number of senior positions at technology companies, including International Director at lastminute.com, Head of European Websites at Netscape Communications and Vice President, Marketing at Digidesign. Tom Virden will also join the Audit Committee of Atari", says Atari.
As interesting as the new appointments are the departures, which appear at the foot of the Atari information release: "David Gardner and Phil Harrison have resigned from the Board of Directors" is the single line.
Phil Harrison joined Atari from Sony in 2008 but stepped down as president of the company to the role of board member following its moves in the American market in 2009.
David Gardner stepped down from his role as CEO of Atari shortly after Harrison's move.
The new changes follow Atari's appointment last week of the former senior director of EA's European online publishing operations, John Burns, as VP and GM of Atari Europe.
Today's news is that "Atari S.A. announces the arrival of two new members to its Board of directors: industry veteran and Atari founder Nolan Bushnell and online entrepreneur Tom Virden step in to further reinforce the strategic insight of the Group and contribute actively to the company's planning."
While Bushnell is well-known to the video gaming world as instigator of Pong! and founder of Atari itself, Virden maybe a new name to many people. The following brief biog may explain why.
"Lately, M. Virden founded Boatbookings.com, the largest yachts charter-only website. M. Virden previously held a number of senior positions at technology companies, including International Director at lastminute.com, Head of European Websites at Netscape Communications and Vice President, Marketing at Digidesign. Tom Virden will also join the Audit Committee of Atari", says Atari.
As interesting as the new appointments are the departures, which appear at the foot of the Atari information release: "David Gardner and Phil Harrison have resigned from the Board of Directors" is the single line.
Phil Harrison joined Atari from Sony in 2008 but stepped down as president of the company to the role of board member following its moves in the American market in 2009.
David Gardner stepped down from his role as CEO of Atari shortly after Harrison's move.
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