Ross Levinsohn says adios to Yahoo
After losing out to Marissa Mayer for the top spot, former Yahoo interim CEO is packing his bags.
Ross Levinsohn is not sticking around for the Marissa Mayer era at Yahoo, free meals or no.
Levinsohn, appointed as interim Yahoo CEO after Scott Thompson got forced out earlier this year, is leaving the company. The news, confirmed by Yahoo, was first reported by AllThingsD, which cited multiple unnamed sources.
"Ross has done a terrific job during his time at Yahoo," a Yahoo spokesperson said. "We wish him all the best."
Yahoo is also paying him handsomely for his time as interim CEO. In an SEC filing today, Yahoo disclosed that it awarded Levinsohn an additional 67,000 shares of restricted stock and 250,000 new stock options priced at $15.80, the price Yahoo's stock closed at on July 26. That's a nice bit of extra pay for not getting the top job. No word on Levinsohn's next move. He was a strong contender for the CEO job but Yahoo's board ultimately settled on Mayer earlier this month.
He shouldn't need to wait long to land a new job. Levinsohn is a veteran exec with experience both in technology and media companies. He came to Yahoo in October 2010, working first as exec VP of the company's Americas division. Later, he headed up its Global Media group. Yahoo appointed Levinsohn as interim CEO in May following Thompson's departure.
Updated at 2:45 p.m. PT: with confirmation from Yahoo and details about his departure.