Digital entertainment company RealNetworks names insider as new CEO

RealNetworks names insider as new CEO

SEATTLE — RealNetworks Inc. said Thursday it has named interim CEO Bob Kimball to be its permanent chief.

Kimball, 46, has led the company since RealNetworks founder Rob Glaser stepped down in January.

“Bob has done an outstanding job executing on his plan to transform RealNetworks into a more focused and profitable company,” Eric Benhamou, RealNetworks’ lead independent director, said in a statement.

RealNetworks booked a profit of $3 million in the first quarter after losing $212 million last year.

Last month, the company announced it would cut 85 positions, including about a quarter of its executives, in order to stream line its organization.

Kimball joined RealNetworks in 1999 and has been a member of the senior executive team since 2003. Before stepping into the interim CEO role, he served as general counsel and executive vice president of corporate development.