Google restructures direct sales group
Just a few jobs were lost in the shuffle, and the move seems designed to simplify Google's sales organization and emphasize relationships with big advertising agencies.
The new sheriff in charge of Google's sales organization has made a few changes to the lineup.
The Wall Street Journal reported that new Google sales head Nikesh Arora has moved a few executives around, and shown a few others the door, as part of a restructuring in Google's direct sales organization about a month after his elevation to the top sales spot within Google. The report said the changes involve a "small number" of cuts as well as a realignment of how Google deploys its sales force.
A Google representative confirmed that the company created a new position for Penry Price, giving him responsibility for Google's relationships with the big marketing and advertising agencies that handle key corporate accounts. Google also eliminated a geographically based sales structure in favor of one based on particular industries.
The moves all come following the departure of Tim Armstrong from Google to run AOL in March, as well as about 200 layoffs in the sales and marketing group that month.