Industry vet Phil Harrison has joined Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) leadership team as corporate vice president, tasked with growing the division’s European business.

Many will remember Harrison as the head of Sony’s Worldwide Studios division, a post he resigned from back in 2008 to later join Atari. He became known for his forward-thinking stance in the social gaming space, including bringing in Media Molecule of LittleBigPlanet fame as an SCEE partner. Not to mention his outspoken views on the industry in general.

At Microsoft, Harrison will lead the European side of its gaming business, in addition to “bringing culturally relevant entertainment experiences to Microsoft platforms, now and in the future.”

“We are honored to have Phil join a team that boasts a wealth of talent from across the industry,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president at Microsoft Studios. “Phil is one of video gaming’s true visionaries, and his experience overseeing global studios and deep industry relationships make him the ideal person to lead our European efforts. Under his leadership, we look forward to continuing cultivating the best talent and growing our business in the region.”

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