Wireless gets caught up in Yahoo reorg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-Yahoo Inc. is searching for an executive to head its “audience group”-including its mobile efforts-following a dramatic restructuring announced late yesterday.
The Internet giant said it will reorganize into three operating units: the audience group, which will focus on increasing user numbers and bolstering costumer relationships; an advertiser and publisher division, which will be charged with connecting advertisers to potential customers online; and a cross-platform technology group.
The news follows last week’s announcement that Yahoo will phase out its ringtone business over the next few months.
Susan Decker, Yahoo’s chief financial officer since 2000, will oversee the advertiser and publisher business, while Chief Technology Officer Farzad Nazem will continue to helm the technology operation. The company said it has launched a search for an “experienced executive” to direct the audience division.
“The Internet is continuing to grow and evolve at a rapid pace, and we’re reshaping Yahoo to be a leader in this transformation, just as we did successfully five years ago,” said Chairman Terry Semel. “Our strategy capitalizes on big emerging trends and leverages our core strengths in search, media, communities and communications.”
Yahoo has lost substantial ground recently to rival Google Inc., which has seen its market value climb 15 percent this year to surpass the $140 billion mark. Yahoo shares have slipped more than 30 percent this year.
But the company is hoping wireless provides it an opportunity to catch up to its nemesis. Yahoo recently launched a graphical advertising platform that supports clickable, interactive ads, and the firm offers the top mobile e-mail and directory services in the United States, according to M:Metrics