Another Apple exec comes home
Out with one Apple veteran, in with another: Apple rehires former company exec David Manovich to replace Marco Landi as VP of sales and service.
Manovich, 45, has rejoined Apple, where he formerly served as vice president of the U.S. consumer and retail sales division. Manovich had spent ten years at Apple in positions that included U.S. channel sales director and country manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland; he began his previous career at Apple in 1985 and left in 1996.
Manovich's appointment comes as the computer maker is preparing to announce early next month major layoffs and which of its products will be continued.
Although the computer maker's Internet device, Pippin, and its handheld Newton are rumored to be on the chopping block, Apple earlier this week unveiled advertisements that show the devices in its product lineup. But Jeni Johnstone, an Apple spokeswoman, said the advertisements are designed to send the message of why consumers should buy Macintosh products and does not indicate which products will remain with the company.
Johnstone noted the outlook on layoffs is still under wraps. "Apple has not said anything about number of layoffs and there are rumors and speculation," she said. "There have been a variety of numbers tossed out and [chief executive Gil] Amelio has discounted the 5,000 number."
Manovich, who will report directly to Amelio, previously worked at Fujitsu PC as vice president of sales. He joined the newly incorporated Fujitsu computer company last July.
During his brief tenure at Fujitsu, Manovich helped build the sales organization, sign up distributors such as Tech Data, and push the company to the No. 5 position among computer retailers, said Kate Blocker, a Fujitsu spokeswoman.
Manovich replaces Landi, who resigned shortly after he was named to the worldwide sales position after having served as Apple's chief operating officer.
"David is a well known and respected sales executive--both inside and outside of Apple. He brings an especially strong reputation with the sales channel as well as international experience," said Amelio, in a statement. "We are very pleased that he has chosen to return to the team."
Manovich will be responsible for overseeing sales, service, and support in Apple's education, business, and consumer markets, in addition to Claris, and AppleAssist.
"I want to help reestablish Apple's strengths in our core markets," said Manovich. "My No. 1 priority is to meet the expectations of Apple's customers and fulfill customer demand. Given my previous experience at Apple, I think I can make an immediate contribution."