Blizzard Hires Disney Veteran As New Vice President Of Culture

Blizzard Entertainment has announced that it’s hired Jessica Martinez, a 14-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company’s employee experience team, to be its new (and first) vice president of culture. 

This news was announced by the studio in an a tweetAccording to Eurogamer, revealing that this new hire comes as part of its “ongoing initiative to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture where people at every level can learn, grow, and bring their most creative selves to work.” 

Blizzard says Martinez and the Blizzard leadership team – her official title is Vice President, Head of Culture – will be responsible for growing and implementing the studio’s culture strategy, “ensuring alignment across all teams and functions, and revamping learning and talent development programs.” 

“When you create a people-first environment where teams feel safe, valued, and work together toward a shared purpose, everyone thrives – the employees, the players, and the business,” Martinez writes in a Blizzard blog post. “Making the values of our connections show up in what we do is how we bring humanity back to business.” 

She will work with Blizzard’s learning and development team while also working closely with the communications and events team and each of the “franchise and functional leaders.” 

At Disney, Martinez led strategy, communications, operations, and employee experience, working as the Chief of Staff and key strategic advisor to the Chief Security Officer and the Chief Technology & Digital Officer for Disney Parks & Resorts. 

“Beyond spearheading fundamental organizational change including leading the security integration for the 21st Century Fox acquisition, Jessica was best known for creating a values-driven culture that connected global teams and celebrated diversity,” the blog post reads. 

Activision Blizzard had been battling for several months over this hire. Game Informer’s coverage here. Blizzard tried to rebuild its public image amid these lawsuits by firing many people who were named in reports about toxic workplace culture, allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as discrimination. 

Jen Oneal, Mike Ybarra, and a restructure were the co-leaders for Blizzard. Oneal left soon after citing lack of trust in Activision leaders (thanks! Polygon). Back when Ybarra was named the new co-leader, Blizzard said he’s “deeply committed to all of our employees; to the work ahead to ensure Blizzard is the safest, most welcoming workplace possible for women, and people of any gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background; to upholding and reinforcing our values, and rebuilding your trust.” It seems that hiring Martinez is Blizzard speaking to upholding that statement from last year.  

[Source: Eurogamer]