After serving the NFL for over a decade, Johanna Faries has been brought on to the Call of Duty World League team as Head of Product. Her new role will include overseeing “strategic leadership, business operations and product development,” according to the official press release. She also held a “number of leadership roles across marketing, league initiative strategy, fan and business development, partnerships and consumer products.”
“The addition of Johanna to our leadership team demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a world class organization with the objective of further expanding our shared vision in esports,” said Pete Vlastelica, President and CEO of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues. “Johanna has a proven track record throughout her tenure with the NFL of leading key business initiatives and driving fan engagement. She is a great addition to our organization and I look forward to working with her in her new role.”
“We’re excited for Johanna to join the Call of Duty World League team. She brings a ton of experience at the highest-level connecting players and fans together through their love of competition,” said Rob Kostich, EVP and GM, Call of Duty. “She’s a perfect fit for the CWL. We have great momentum behind the league and are about to start our most exciting season yet. We’re committed to delivering the best experience to our fans, our players and the entire community, and look forward to Johanna helping us deliver on that promise.”
“To join a world class organization like Activision Blizzard in this role is as exciting as it is an honor,” said Faries. “With esports exploding in popularity, there is no doubt that Call of Duty is well positioned to be a major force in shaping the future of professional competition as we know it.”
Faries joining the team comes during a pivotal year for Call of Duty esports, with the shift from 4v4 gameplay to 5v5. There’s also a number of rumors milling around that the scene will move to franchising, much like the Overwatch League before long. The first Call of Duty World League event is taking place in early December with CWL Las Vegas. In other competitive Call of Duty news, read up about how G2 Esports may be re-entering the scene this year.
