Jean-Bernard Levy.

MAY 5, 2009 • Vivendi chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy is slated to become chairman at Activision Blizzard. Levy will replace the retiring Rene Penisson.

Impact: Many words have been written about how Activision’s executives made a sweet move in getting themselves into a position to run the combined Activision Blizzard. Few seem to highlight that Vivendi remains the majority shareholder post-merger, and keeps its own people in the chairman’s seat.