Industry Moves: Google Moves Arora To Global Ad Sales Role, Replaces Kordestani
This story was written by David Kaplan.
Following the layoffs of many of its sales and marketing execs, and the departure of US ad sales chief Tim Armstrong, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) is looking to rebuild that area. On Thursday, the company announced that Nikesh Arora is moving from his post as president of international operations to become president of global sales operations and business development. He replaces Omid Kordestani, who moves into an advisory position. Arora will manage all of Google's revenue and customer operations, as well as its marketing and partnerships. He has been focused on building the European business over the past four-and-a-half-years.
The changes come during Google's first truly challenging period since establishing its online ad dominance. Last month, the company said it would impose a third round of cuts in the sales and marketing unit, laying off an additional 200. Still, Google being Google means that times are not quite as tough as they are for everyone else: the company just beat analysts' estimates and posted 10 percent revenue gains. The move also follows the replacement of Armstrong as VP-Americas Operations by European Google exec Dennis Woodside. More after the jump
Doesn't need the cash or the job: As for Kordestani, it's hard to determine why he's being moved over now. The process was almost certainly in place when Kordestani decided to forgo the $1.4 million bonus he was awarded in March. Kordestani, the only top Google to reject a bonus, also declined to receive any equity awards for this year. Still, considering that he's worth 1.4 billion, as estimated by Forbes, he certainly isn't likely to feel the missing cash.
More high profile: While Woodside was VP/Managing Director for Google in UK, Arora was often considered more Google's public face there for the most part. No word on whether Arora will leave Europe for Google's headquarters in Mountain View.
By David Kaplan