CEO Mark Pincus confirms that Interactive Entertainment Business head Don Mattrick will take over his position next week. Zynga founder Mark Pincus with soon-to-be CEO Don Mattrick. (Credit: Zynga) Don Mattrick, the man overseeing Microsoft's gaming business will start his new job as CEO of Zynga next week, founder Mark Pincus announced Monday afternoon. The struggling social gaming company confirmed the appointment on its blog after All Things D reported the news earlier in the day. In addition to replacing Pincus as CEO, Mattrick -- who was in charge of gaming and entertainment at Microsoft, including the popular Xbox gaming system -- will also become a Zynga board member. Related stories Xbox executive to leave Microsoft for Zynga, report says Draw Something team included in Zynga layoff Zynga cuts 520 workers and shutters several offices "As I reflect on the past six years, I realize that I've had the greatest impact working as an entrepreneur with product teams, developing games that could entertain and connect millions," Pincus wrote to his employees. "I've always said to Bing and our Board that if I could find someone who could do a better job as our CEO I'd do all I could to recruit and bring that person in. I'm confident that Don is that leader." Pincus notes Mattrick's ability to turn around a struggling network. Under Mattrick's leadership, Xbox grew from 10 to 80 million. No doubt, Pincus is banking on Mattrick to help Zynga bounce back as well. The company recently had another round of layoffs in an attempt to make the company lean and mobile-focused. Its faltering stock, a result of its poor performance in the eyes of Wall Street, was up more than 10 percent after the announcement.
CEO Mark Pincus confirms that Interactive Entertainment Business head Don Mattrick will take over his position next week.
Zynga founder Mark Pincus with soon-to-be CEO Don Mattrick.
(Credit: Zynga)
Don Mattrick, the man overseeing Microsoft's gaming business will start his new job as CEO of Zynga next week, founder Mark Pincus announced Monday afternoon.
The struggling social gaming company confirmed the appointment on its blog after All Things D reported the news earlier in the day. In addition to replacing Pincus as CEO, Mattrick -- who was in charge of gaming and entertainment at Microsoft, including the popular Xbox gaming system -- will also become a Zynga board member.
Related stories
- Xbox executive to leave Microsoft for Zynga, report says
- Draw Something team included in Zynga layoff
- Zynga cuts 520 workers and shutters several offices
"As I reflect on the past six years, I realize that I've had the greatest impact working as an entrepreneur with product teams, developing games that could entertain and connect millions," Pincus wrote to his employees. "I've always said to Bing and our Board that if I could find someone who could do a better job as our CEO I'd do all I could to recruit and bring that person in. I'm confident that Don is that leader."
Pincus notes Mattrick's ability to turn around a struggling network. Under Mattrick's leadership, Xbox grew from 10 to 80 million.
No doubt, Pincus is banking on Mattrick to help Zynga bounce back as well. The company recently had another round of layoffs in an attempt to make the company lean and mobile-focused. Its faltering stock, a result of its poor performance in the eyes of Wall Street, was up more than 10 percent after the announcement.
