John S. Riccitiello served as CEO of Electronic Arts from 2007 until 2013. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Under his leadership, EA transitioned from traditional packaged goods sales to a focus...
John S. Riccitiello served as CEO of Electronic Arts from 2007 until 2013. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Under his leadership, EA transitioned from traditional packaged goods sales to a focus on digital distribution, which was a significant shift for the company. This change helped EA achieve impressive revenue growth in the digital sector. In 2012, the company reported non-GAAP digital revenue of $1.2 billion, a 47% increase from the previous year. Riccitiello's compensation in fiscal 2013 included a cash bonus of over $1.5 million based on the company's performance. His time at EA was marked by ambitious projects like the successful launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Although he stepped down in 2013 citing accountability for not meeting performance goals, his tenure is remembered for laying the groundwork for EA's future in gaming. Interestingly, he has also been involved in private equity, co-founding Elevation Partners before returning to EA. His insider trading activity saw significant fluctuations, peaking in late 2020 when he sold shares worth around $1.5 billion. Overall, Riccitiello's career showcases the complexities and challenges of leading a major gaming company through a critical era of change.