In a bid to bolster its marketing efforts, Battlefield and Mass Effect publisher Electronic Arts has announced the hiring of former Starbucks executive Chris Bruzzo to become its chief marketing officer. EA CEO Andrew Wilson announced the news in a statement posted on the company's website. He says Bruzzo will lead marketing and communications efforts across web and digital platforms, all in the name of helping EA become a "players-first" company.

"Today, EA creates games and live services for players around the world on an ever-expanding range of platforms and unique ways to play," Wilson said. "Partnering with our development and technology teams, Chris will ensure we are delivering personal and meaningful experiences for players every time they connect with us and play an EA game."

Wilson sung Bruzzo's praises, calling him a "brand visionary." Prior to joining Starbucks, where he held various executive-level positions, Bruzzo spent nearly three years at online retail giant Amazon as its director of strategic communications.

"Chris is a great fit for our organization--a collaborator, innovator, and importantly, a gamer," Wilson said. "Chris is just as comfortable sharing stories about his days playing Escape from Rungistan and Ultima back in the early 1980s on his Apple IIE as he is debating tactics in FIFA, Battlefield, or Peggle. I'm thrilled to bring him on board at EA."

Bruzzo has a degree in political studies from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In addition to his role as chief marketing officer at EA, Bruzzo currently serves on the board of directors of jewelry retailer Blue Nile.

EA's major marketing campaigns this year, for high-profile games like Madden NFL 15 and NHL 15, have been anything but traditional.

Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on Twitter @EddieMakuch

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