Xav de Matos

About Xav de Matos

I’ve spent 18 years in the games industry, starting as a reporter and later moving into global PR leadership. That time on both sides of the table shapes how I approach communications.I began my career covering the business, learning how stories are framed and what actually earns attention. I now lead global PR for franchises like Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, guiding live-ops strategy, preparing spokespeople, and supporting major launches and partnerships.My job is to protect the work, support the teams behind it, and make sure the story stands up in any room.

Experience

1. Pr Director, Live Ops, Call of Duty

   Activision

   Jan 2021 — Present · Santa Monica, CA, US

   Franchise titles shipped:Call of Duty: Warzone · Black Ops 7 · Black Ops 6 · Warzone Mobile · Modern Warfare · Modern Warfare II · Vanguard · Black Ops Cold War · Modern Warfare (2019) · Black Ops 4 · WWIIRole overview· Owned and led global public relations strategy for Call of Duty live services, overseeing communications across multiple flagship titles including Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.· Served as the central PR lead coordinating across global game studios, publishing, marketing, product, technology teams, and international agency partners to deliver unified, scalable messaging worldwide.Leadership & scope· Led the communications strategy and execution for all live seasonal content across the franchise, including new modes, maps, gameplay systems, and major updates.· Directed global PR for key franchise initiatives including RICOCHET Anti-Cheat, Call of Duty’s anti-toxicity efforts, Call of Duty League, Inclusive Design, and the Call of Duty Endowment.· Anticipated and managed high-impact community narratives, player sentiment, and media discourse around live service changes, competitive integrity, and player trust.Highlights & recognition· Fast Company (2024): Activision Blizzard named one of Gaming’s Most Innovative Companies for work in anti-toxicity and anti-cheat initiatives.· Sports Emmy Awards nominee: Outstanding Esports Coverage for the 2020 Call of Duty League Championship Weekend.

Education

• Humber College

  Bachelor, Public Relations

Skills

• Content Strategy
• Media Relations
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Blogging
• Press Releases
• Editing
• Community Management
• SEO
• Public Relations
• Editorial
• Magazines
• Video
• Creative Writing
• Digital Media
• Storytelling
• Video Editing
• Journalism
• Copywriting
• Facebook
• Video Games
• New Media
• Copy Editing
• Podcasting
• Entertainment
• Video Production
• Publicity
• Content Development
• Online Advertising
• Content Management
• Writing
• Web Content
• Publishing