Electronic Arts Chief Creative Officer William “Bing” Gordon has left the company to take a position at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
Gordon was one of the earliest EA employees, joining the company during its formative months in 1982. Prior to taking the position of CCO in March 1998, Gordon served as the company’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, and has also held numerous other executive management roles in the company, including Executive Vice President of EA Studios and Senior Vice President of Entertainment Production. According to a 1Up report, Gordon’s departure takes effect in June.
“Bing possesses a rare combination of tremendous creative insight and keen business judgment,” said KPCB’s John Doerr. “His success with dynamic and engaging digital entertainment and consumer media is invaluable for innovators in mobility, social networks, gaming and entertainment – indeed, in any area that interacts directly with consumers.”
“There is a new generation who have grown up ‘always on, always digital.’ Driven by their creativity and new usage habits, entertainment and communications are on the verge of previously unimaginable changes,” Gordon said. “Ever since KPCB funded Electronic Arts’ initial business plan in 1982, I have watched the KPCB team find and support brilliant company-makers to harness disruptive digital technologies that benefit people. I cannot wait to join the firm, and work directly with an all-new generation of entrepreneurs.”
Prior to the official announcment, Gordon had revealed the move to N’Gai Croal of Level Up last week, saying, “Being on campus with young people in videogame classes; seeing what they’re interested in; seeing what’s going on with the internet turning into new kinds of platforms, from iPhone to Facebook and Amazon Web Services – I’ve gotten fired up about an all-new ride.” But despite the change of scenery, Gordon will not be completely severing his ties with EA: He will maintain a position with the publisher as Chief Creative Officer Emeritus, a role which will see him “return to the company to lead periodic workshops on innovation with EA Studio leaders.”
