Yahoo! Has appointed Google´s executive Marissa Mayer as its new CEO.
Mayer told the Times that she intends to leverage Yahoo’s strong franchises in email, finance and sports. According to Forbes “Mayer’s appointment will come as a surprise to both the Valley and the Street. Most observers had expected the job to go to interim CEO Ross Levinsohn, who has been running the company in the wake of the recent departure of former CEO Scott Thompson”.
Mayer will be also part of Yahoo´s Board of Directors, effective July 17, 2012.
Mayer said, “I am honored and delighted to lead Yahoo!, one of the internet’s premier destinations for more than 700 million users. I look forward to working with the Company’s dedicated employees to bring innovative products, content, and personalized experiences to users and advertisers all around the world.”
Most recently, Mayer was responsible for Local, Maps, and Location Services for Google, the company’s suite of local and geographical products including Google Maps, Google Earth, Zagat, Street View, and local search, for desktop and mobile. Mayer joined Google in 1999 as its 20th employee and led efforts for many of Google’s most recognizable products, including the development of its flagship search product and iconic homepage for over 10 years. Mayer managed some of Google's most successful innovations, launching more than 100 features and products including image, book and product search, toolbar, iGoogle, Google News, and Gmail – creating much of the “look and feel” of the Google user experience.
