WotC Greg Tito On Leaving WotC: 'It feels good to do something that doesn't just line the pockets of *****'

We reported earlier that WotC's communications director Greg Tito had left his 9-year stint managing the Dungeons & Dragons brand for a political appointment as Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Washington secretary of state's office.

Greg Tito Leaves Wizards of the Coast

Greg Tito, formerly the communications manager in charge of overseeing messaging for the Dungeons & Dragons brand, is departing Wizards of the Coast for a career in the public sector. Tito announced that he would be joining the Washington secretary of state's office starting this week, ending an...

www.enworld.org

In a surprising turn of events, Tito criticized his former employers, saying "It feels good to do something that doesn't just line the pockets of a**holes." He later went on to clarify "Sorry. I meant "shareholders".

Tito is now Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Washington Secretary of State office in Olympia, WA.

 

[Clint_L]

There must be a culture barrier in this thread, because as a Canadian I truly don’t understand some of the offense taken by some here.

I'm Canadian, and I'm definitely not offended. I'm just puzzled. It seems very unprofessional to me, for someone moving into a very public position. And quite political, which surprises me, but then I find American culture to be much more political than Canadian.

 

[MGibster]

There must be a culture barrier in this thread, because as a Canadian I truly don’t understand some of the offense taken by some here. He insulted shareholders, obviously meaning rich people not the small-peas average person. Is insulting the owner class too taboo for some Americans? Is the A-word too offensive to American sensibilities? Is daring to dislike a former employer’s practices a bridge too far?

He insulted shareholders of his previous employer rather than the owner class in general. It's a bit odd too because it's not like most of the shareholders are actually running the company. I don't think I've seen anyone here say they were offended by it, calling them #@%#%# is mild enough, only they didn't think it was a good look for someone to rag on their previous employer in such a manner. I agree with that sentiment, but I don't think it's going to hurt anyone's career.

 

[SkidAce]

You know sometimes I wonder.

I understand not burning bridges, remaining professional etc.

But what if your employers actually are the bad guys? You remained professional while you were there (as proper), but it must feel good to tell people (or imply) what it was really like.

Its tough, cause YOU (AITA?) could be wrong, and thus doing them a disservice. But you may be right and the work environment might be that bad.

 

[Parmandur]

You know sometimes I wonder.

I understand not burning bridges, remaining professional etc.

But what if your employers actually are the bad guys? You remained professional while you were there (as proper), but it must feel good to tell people (or imply) what it was really like.

Its tough, cause YOU (AITA?) could be wrong, and thus doing them a disservice. But you may be right and the work environment might be that bad.

I mean, I've been there: and I ain't talking.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Classless. Would never let this guy near any professional communications department.

 

[dave2008]

He's not talking about small fries, he's talking about wealthy institutional investors with clout, the Blackrocks, Vanguards, Blackstone, Paul Singer, etc...

I understand that is the intent of the correction, but it rings hollow to me. I think he said what he meant the first time (I could be wrong though). Of course I have a Vanguard account so maybe he really is talking about me!

 

[Superchunk77]

So you have the D&D communications manager for the past 9 years, who is surely aware that he’s burning a bridge, and is surely aware that due to his role he’s leaving a smoking gun for future employers to see his post…and he decides it’s worth it anyway.

This is immediately where my thoughts first went as well.

 

[RangerWickett]

He insulted shareholders of his previous employer rather than the owner class in general.

Sounds like he was insulting the company leadership that treated shareholder profits as more important than customer satisfaction and employee well-being.

I don't begrudge people for investing. I begrudge people who make choices that hurt the people who actually make the company successful, and who enshittify the products in pursuit of profit.

 

[LordEntrails]

Yea, whatever.
If he burned bridges or not. I don't care. His choice, whether he made it with consideration or not.

Personal account? Ha, he made the statement publicly, there is no such reason to expect publicly made personal statements to not impact professional. Look at all the politicians and entertainers who are judged for their 'personal' actions.
You are who are and should be properly evaluated for it regardless.

 

[MGibster]

Sounds like he was insulting the company leadership that treated shareholder profits as more important than customer satisfaction and employee well-being.

Maybe? I don't think it really matters whether he was insulting shareholders or management. If he were a candidate for a marketing position at my company seeing such a post would be a strike against him. Had he posted something a bit more concrete about harassment, discrimination, or unethical behavior I'd be whistling a different tune right now.