Discord Names Humam Sakhnini CEO Amid IPO Plans

Discord has announced a major leadership change, with co-founder Jason Citron stepping down as CEO after 13 years and former Activision Blizzard executive Humam Sakhnini taking over the role. Citron will remain involved as an advisor and board member as the company prepares for a possible IPO and aims for further growth. Sakhnini brings extensive experience from his time at Activision Blizzard and King Digital, signaling a renewed focus on Discord's gaming roots and the exploration of new revenue streams such as advertising and microtransactions. This transition has sparked concern among users about potential increases in monetization, given Sakhnini's background with franchises known for microtransactions and ads. Discord, now boasting over 200 million monthly active users, is positioning itself for its next phase as both a key platform for gamers and a broader social hub. The leadership shift is viewed as a strategic move to guide Discord through its anticipated public offering and future expansion.