Vivendi Chief Becomes Activision Blizzard Chair

With the retirement of Rene Penisson, Vivendi chief exec Jean-Bernard Levy will become chairman of Guitar Hero and World of Warcraft house Activision Blizzard, Vivendi said today. Penisson, 67, has been chairman of Activision Blizzard since July 2008, following the combination of Activision and Vivendi Games. He's been with Vivendi since 2002, and has been one of the "main architects" of Vivendi's gaming business, the company said in a statement. Activision and Vivendi announced in 2007 that they would merge in an $18.9 billion deal, which brought the Guitar Hero, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft franchises under the same roof. Filling Penisson's other role of human resources director at Vivendi is Stephane Roussel, who will move up from the position of managing director.