NEW YORK, USA // Kristin Connelly helps lead the Microsoft Gaming integration efforts, focusing on the consumer sales org, global marketing, and go-to-market areas. Kristin joined these efforts upon the historic $69 billion merger of Microsoft Gaming/XBOX and Activision Blizzard King, which closed in October 2023. Kristin served on the integrations team leading into the merger, and given her expertise in marketing, transitioned to the Microsoft side to help shape the future Microsoft gaming organization.

Prior to the merger, Kristin was the co-head of Activision Blizzard Esports (comprising its two professional esports leagues, the Overwatch League and Call of Duty League) and its head of global marketing, as well as the interim head of Activision Blizzard’s consumer products division. Before joining ABK in June 2017, Kristin previously worked at the New York Jets for seven years overseeing marketing, fan communications, and graphic design. Kristin also worked on Madison Avenue at the global advertising agency J. Walter Thompson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business. She is currently a professor at Columbia University teaching sports marketing in their sports management masters program.