In 1994 Aldus Corporation hired Chizen to run its Consumer Division in San Diego (what was formerly Silicon Beach Software). Later that year, Aldus was acquired by Adobe Systems and Chizen became vice president and general manager of consumer products. He was named CEO of Adobe in April 2000. His most notable action as CEO was the acquisition of Macromedia. In an interview, Chizen stated that the primary reason for acquiring Macromedia was to get Flash. During his 14 years at the company, Chizen engaged in transforming Adobe from a developer of graphics and publishing software into a leading diverse supplier of design, media, and business tools. On November 12, 2007, Adobe Systems announced that Bruce Chizen would step down from his role as chief executive officer effective December 1, to be replaced by Shantanu Narayen, Adobe's current president and chief operating officer.