Helaine Klasky | Influence 100

Helaine Klasky 

Chief Communications Officer
Activision Blizzard
US

 

 

Activision Blizzard named public affairs veteran Helaine Klasky as its new chief communications officer last year. Klasky, who arrived at the gaming giant from a previous role as CCO at SoundExchange, replaced Kristen Binns and reports to CEO Bobby Kotick, who recently faced scrutiny around his compensation package.  

Prior to joining SoundExchange in 2019, Klasky served as chair of Burson-Marsteller’s US public affairs and crisis practice. Before that, she spent seven years with General Electric, where she established the company's global public affairs function and served as the CCO for GE Energy Management.

Activision Blizzard's hire of a new CCO comes after it named a new president/COO, bringing in Daniel Alegre from Google. 

Can you share a moment in your career when you saw PR's direct impact on business performance?
At GE during the Japan nuclear crisis.

What are the communications industry's biggest challenges and opportunities in the year ahead?
Wage disparity.

What have you most admired about this industry over the past year?
Its resilience in adapting to change.

What has most disappointed you about this industry over the past year?
Many of the online conferences/talks have been lacklustre.

How have you switched off from work and maintained wellness in lockdown?
Not well!

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has helped you get through this year or provided inspiration?
The Calm podcast

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
Travelling!

Sum up 2021 in one word.
Resilience.