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In a significant leadership change within the gaming communications platform, Discord announced on Wednesday that co-founder and CEO Jason Citron will be stepping down from his executive position. Citron will pass the torch to Humam Sakhnini, who previously served as Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard. Sakhnini will officially take on his new role as CEO and join Discord’s board on Monday, while Citron will continue to serve on the board in an advisory capacity.
Citron expressed in a public memo to the staff that he believes it is the right moment to transition from his leadership role. He highlighted Discord’s solid strategy, potential for growth through new business ventures, and the unwavering support from users and the dedicated team behind the platform.
In his memo, Citron reflected on the evolving nature of the CEO role, noting, “The job of a CEO is constantly evolving.” He explained that as he has adapted to new challenges, he feels now is the time to “hire myself out of a job” by facilitating a leadership transition for the benefit of Discord’s future.
He recognizes Sakhnini’s extensive experience in the gaming sector, spanning 15 years, as valuable in guiding the next phase for Discord. The platform was co-founded by Citron and Chief Technology Officer Stanislav Vishnevskiy in 2012, initially established as a game studio before pivoting to online communication services in 2015.
Sakhnini’s track record at Activision Blizzard includes overseeing popular franchises such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush, positioning him as a strong leader for Discord’s ongoing development. Vishnevskiy will remain in his role as CTO.
This transition comes at a time when speculation about Discord’s future is building, including reports that the company has engaged with investment bankers to explore the possibility of an initial public offering later this year. A spokesperson for Discord has mentioned that the company remains focused on enhancing user experience and building a robust, sustainable business, without commenting on rumors related to the IPO.
Recognized as a significant player in the tech industry, Discord boasts around 200 million monthly active users globally, who utilize its platform to engage in discussions through text, voice, or video across various “servers.” With a total funding of $1.1 billion, Discord has achieved a valuation of approximately $14.7 billion, according to PitchBook.
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