RealNetworks Glaser Steps Down as CEO

By Joey Seiler On January 13, 2010 · 1 Comment

RealNetworks founder and CEO Rob Glaser will be stepping down as CEO but will remain as chairman of the company board of directors the company announced today. Real is an the online entertainment company with a stake in games via its RealArcade, GameHouse, Mr. Goodliving, Atrativa, and Zylom brands. The company has been widely seen as being in a revenue slump over the course of recent quarters. In the company's most recent earnings call, Glaser told analysts he hoped to transition the company into more of a iPhone and apps-focused brand. "While the game prices are lower, the volumes on the iPhone app business are also a lot higher. And although we're not there yet, we will soon see virtual wallets on Facebook pages, making micropayments much more commonplace," he said.

Replacing Glaser is Bob Kimball, and exec who has been with Real since 1999, most recently acting as the company’s general counsel and EVP of corporate development. Tech Crunch is reporting that the "shakeup" also involves COO John Giamatteo who had resigned (and would be leaving in April).