Netflix hires Spencer Neumann from Activision Blizzard as new CFO

Akio Kon | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Reed Hastings, chief executive officer of Netflix Inc.

Netflix has hired Spencer Neumann as chief financial officer, two days after he was fired as CFO at Activision Blizzard.

Activision Blizzard said Monday the firing was unrelated to the company’s financial performance. Early reports of Neumann’s new role circulated just hours later. A person familiar with the transition told CNBC that Neumann’s termination was the result of his pursuing another job.

Neumann will replace long-time Netflix executive David Wells, who announced his departure in August.

The role is increasingly important at Netflix. The company is burning cash at faster and faster rates as it ups investment in original movies and TV shows.

Here’s the full announcement:

Netflix Inc. announced today that Spencer Neumann is joining the company as Chief Financial Officer. Neumann is an accomplished media and financial executive who was most recently CFO of Activision Blizzard and previously held several senior positions at the The Walt Disney Company. He succeeds David Wells who served as CFO since 2010.

“Spencer is a stellar entertainment executive and we’re thrilled that he will help us provide amazing stories to people all over the world,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix Chief Executive Officer. “I also want to again say thank you to David Wells, on behalf of the company and our shareholders, for his invaluable contributions at Netflix over the past 14 years.”

“Netflix is a singular brand, and I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to work with the Netflix team and all of our stakeholders to build on the company’s exceptional track record of success and innovation,” said Spencer Neumann.

Neumann served as Activision Blizzard’s CFO from May 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Neumann held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at The Walt Disney Company, most recently serving as the CFO and executive vice president of Global Guest Experience of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, from 2012 until May 2017. From 2005 to 2012, Mr. Neumann worked at the private equity firms of Providence Equity Partners and Summit Partners. Prior to that, Mr. Neumann held several other roles with Disney, which he initially joined in 1992, including executive vice president of the ABC Television Network from 2001 to 2004 and CFO of the Walt Disney Internet Group from 1999 to 2001. He is also a member of the national board of directors of Make-A-Wish America. Mr. Neumann holds a B.A. degree in economics from Harvard University and an M.B.A. degree from Harvard University.

—CNBC’s
Julia Boorstin
contributed to this report.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

WATCH:
Netflix releases interactive episode of TV show ‘Black Mirror’