Chief Executive, Activison Blizzard Inc.

Kotick has been chief executive of Activision since 1991 and oversaw the company’s 2018 merger with Blizzard Entertainment owner Vivendi Games, which made it one of the world’s largest video game publishers by revenue. The past year has been a tumultuous one. In July, California’s Department of fair Employement and Housing sued the company alleging gender-based discrimination and sexual harrassment, and the company later agreed to an $18 million sttlement to resolve a similar federal lawsuit filed in September. In the midst of this, Microsoft Corp. announced plans in January to acquire the company for $69 million. Microsoft said Kotick will continue to lead the company until the transaction closes.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 7