Grit

#229 Former CEO Activision Blizzard, Bobby Kotick w/ Bing Gordon: Change the Game

11 snips
Feb 10, 2025
Guest
Bobby Kotick
Guest
Bing Gordon
Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, shares his insights on high-stakes negotiations and corporate strategy, including a fascinating anecdote about a potential TikTok acquisition. Bing Gordon, a venture capital executive at Kleiner Perkins, discusses the evolution of gaming, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing industry. The duo explores challenges in mergers, the impact of leadership on company culture, and creative processes behind successful games like Overwatch, shedding light on the complex landscape of gaming and tech.
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ADVICE

Acquisition Strategy

  • Acquire businesses with a history of profit, proprietary technology or IP, and good management.
  • Maintain acquired companies' independence and culture; don't rebrand or impose strict rules.
ANECDOTE

First Investment

  • Bobby Kotick's dad helped him secure investors for his dorm room software company.
  • Kotick met Steve Wynn, who became his first investor, after declining the initial investors.
ANECDOTE

Tony Hawk Collaboration

  • Bobby Kotick's brother-in-law, a William Morris agent, suggested Tony Hawk for a skateboarding game.
  • Kotick met with Hawk, who was struggling financially, and offered him $300,000 and a royalty deal.
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