Midway's CEO Resigns

Publisher's upper management looks shaky

Posted by Staff
Zucker's bio - still on the Midway site
Zucker's bio - still on the Midway site
Midway's CEO, David Zucker, has resigned from the publisher. The company's senior VP of worldwide studios, Matthew Booty, will replace him while a new CEO is found.

The chairperson of Midway's board, Shari Redstone, explained, "Dynamic new leadership is needed to bring Midway to its full potential. I believe that Midway has the resources and creative capability to once again be competitive with the best in the video game business.

"The board is confident that a new CEO will be selected who can fully utilize the opportunities presented by this next-generation console cycle to renew Midway’s position as a major player in the video game industry.”

Sumner M. Redstone, the chairman of the board and CEO at National Amusements, which is the controlling shareholder of Midway, said, "...we already have some highly qualified candidates in mind. Our new leader must have the proven capabilities and track record to lead Midway and to reclaim its place in the forefront of the fast growing videogame industry.”

It would seem Zucker is leaving in a hurry. This is supported by both the fact that a new full-time replacement hasn't been found and the fact that, at the time of press, Zucker's biography was still on Midway's website.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our game teams and talented associates as we roll out our 2008 releases", commented Booty. Our plans include significant front-line releases, ambitious new intellectual properties, reinvigorated franchises with well-established fan bases, and new offerings in the casual games space."

This comes just a couple of months after Midway's executive VP, CFO, and treasurer Thomas Powell resigned. The company's VP, Ryan O'Desky, took on the role of interim CFO. Midway's senior marketing VP, Steve Allison, also resigned at around the same time, although he is due to remain with the company until the end of March in an advisory role.

Things are unstable at the top of Midway, it would seem.

Just where Zucker is bound for is unknown. Activision Blizzard? Take-Two? Start your speculation in the Forum.
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