SANTA MONICA, CA — Activision Blizzard has hired TrailRunner International co-founder Lulu Cheng Meservey to lead communications and corporate affairs ahead of Microsoft's proposed acquisition of the gaming company.

In the newly created role of executive VP of corporate affairs and chief communications officer, Meservey is responsible for shaping Activision’s strategic direction and leading its communications efforts. She is part of the company’s senior leadership team.

Meservey, who sat on Activision’s board of directors before assuming her new position, joins from Substack, where she served as VP of communications. Before that, Meservey was president and chief operating officer of the agency she co-founded, TrailRunner International.

“Lulu is a unique talent with a brilliant strategic mind,” said CEO Bobby Kotick. “She has an intuitive grasp of the changing communications landscape, combined with an exceptional ability to connect with diverse audiences. She shares our commitment to a company culture where creativity and excellence can thrive.”

In January, Microsoft announced its plan to buy Activision for $68.7 billion, the biggest deal ever in the gaming industry. The acquisition, however, is currently under the scrutiny of EU antitrust regulators probing whether the deal would give Microsoft an edge over competitors in developing and distributing video games.