Zynga IPO confirms Schappert joined as new COO

The second-in-command at publisher Electronic Arts resigned from his role to join Zynga, the social games group has finally confirmed.

Zynga snapped up John Schappert, who was formerly Electronic Arts’ chief operating officer, in May this year. At the time, both groups declined to comment when rumours of the switch had spread.

But with Zynga exposing details of the company in its recent public offering, the Farmville creator has now confirmed the high profile signing.

“John Schappert has served as our chief operating officer since May 2011 and as a member of our board of directors since July 2011,” Zynga said in its financial report.

Schappert joined EA in 2009, and in his two years helped the publisher fight to plug haemorrhaging revenues.
Prior to this, he had been a major executive at Microsoft for about two years, following an extended spell at EA that began back in 1991.

“Mr. Schappert was selected to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive experience in the technology entertainment industry.,” Zynga said.

Early in July Zynga filed a registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of its Class A common stock.