Warner Bros. gets a new digital games chief

The game division of Warner Bros. has hired David Haddad as its new digital publishing chief.

Haddad is taking a new position in addition to earlier digital chief Greg Ballard, who is moving to run Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s new game studio in San Francisco.

“I’m thrilled to join Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment with its strong base of games and rich, diverse brands,” said Haddad. “To make the most of this great opportunity, my focus will be on expanding the company’s impact in the fast growing digital games space.”

He has 25 years of experience in online, entertainment, and games. He previously was chief operating officer of Activision Blizzard’s Guitar Hero business, which generated $2 billion in revenue. He was also COO for Sierra Online at Vivendi Games.

Haddad will report to Martin Tremblay, the president of WBIE. Haddad will oversee the global publishing business of the WBIE’s digital games business, which includes categories such as light persistent world, massively multiplayer online, multiplayer online battle arena, free-to-play PC and other digitally distributed games. He will also evaluate opportunities in digital games and manage virtual merchandise sales and in-game ads and product placement deals.

“We are making innovative strides in the digital games business, and we feel we have found a great leader in David who can build upon our foundation,” said Tremblay. “David has excellent experience and knowledge of the digital business world and will lead our broader efforts as we forge new opportunities in the industry.”