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ATVI » Topics » The financial information for Blizzard Entertainment dictated in todays presentation is presented on a standalone basis, as it does not reflect the result of operations of other Vivendi Games operations.This excerpt taken from the ATVI DEFA14A filed Dec 5, 2007. The financial information for Blizzard Entertainment dictated in today’s presentation is presented on a standalone basis, as it does not reflect the result of operations of other Vivendi Games operations.
Joining us today on the call are Jean-Bernard Levy, Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Group, Bobby Kotick, Chairman and CEO of Activision, and Thomas Tippl, Chief Financial Officer of Activision. Joining us for Q&A will be Rene Penisson, member of the Management Board of Vivendi and Chairman of Vivendi Games, Bruce Hack, Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Games, Mike Griffith, CEO, Activision Publishing and Mike Morhaime, President and CEO of Blizzard Entertainment. I would now like to turn the call over to Mr. Levy.
Jean-Bernard Levy – Vivendi - CEO
Thank you. Yesterday, we announced the combination of Vivendi Games and Activision. The combination of Vivendi games, which includes Blizzard Entertainment, with Activision will result in the largest and most profitable multi-platform interactive entertainment publisher in the world. This is an historic moment for interactive entertainment.
In the video game industry, there has never been a transaction that is as well timed or as focused on creating shareholder value. This combination fulfills the promise of digital media convergence. Almost one year ago, Bruce Hack, Vivendi Games’ CEO, invited Rene Penisson and me to visit Bobby Kotick and Brian Kelly in Los Angeles. We immediately liked the idea of the partnership and we built the right chemistry.
In fact, we share a commitment to shareholder value creation. Both of our companies are focused on industry-leading operating margins, and we all believe that the combination of next-generation video game systems and emerging online platforms will accelerate growth, improve margins, and create higher return on invested capital.
The fit between the companies is totally complementary. Activision has a leading console share, superb development resources, world-class marketing and distribution capabilities, and a talented, experienced management team. With Blizzard, Vivendi Games has the leading online market share, superb development resources, and a very strong presence in Europe and in Asia.
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Vivendi Games also has an investment in console, casual online and wireless games, and our own talented employees and leaders. This transaction makes clear financial sense. It is accretive to Activision and to Vivendi shareholders and it provides a clear opportunity for continued margin expansion and synergies. Our management teams together have a proven track record of innovation, execution and delivering strong returns to shareholders.
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