The Guardian
trending topics
Close Box

Our news

Yes, it’s true: We are joining GigaOM...


AOL Europe Restructure, Layoffs Picture Unclear So Far

  • Comments Comments (View)
  • Text Size: A A

AOL’s European staff will have to wait before they hear how the company’s latest plan to lay off 10 percent of worldwide staff will hit them. CEO Randy Falco told staff yesterday AOL’s latest big change would also mean a reorganisation for AOL (NYSE: TWX) internationally, with about 700 jobs going worldwide, because “online marketers have tightened their ad buying across the board”.

SEE ALSO: Memo From AOL CEO Falco: 10 Percent Layoffs, Internation Review

But, though Falco expects to decide on US job losses by end of March, here in Europe the picture will only become clear later, as AOL has to negotiate job losses with those pesky unions. For the record, though it operates sites across European nations, AOL’s main European hubs are in London, Paris and Hamburg.

After having offloaded its ISP businesses, AOL has been undergoing a transition in to three distinct units - Platform-A for advertising, MediaGlow for content and People Networks for social stuff. Former MD of all AOL UK Michael Steckler last year moved to be Platform-A UK MD and wasn’t replaced, with UK content staff instead reporting to AOL Europe CEO Dana Dunne. A similar process has happened around Europe but other countries have retained a stronger country management at the content level.

My colleague Staci Kramer reported last night: “It would be fair to speculate this re-org will put more power over international in the hands of the execs in the U.S. leading AOL’s main groups—for instance, Bill Wilson, who heads MediaGlow (content) and Joanna Shields, who heads the People Networks. Falco promised more details from senior management in the weeks ahead.” Read Randy Falco’s memo to staff...

Jan 29, 2009 7:04 PM ET

Posted In: Jobs & Layoffs, Companies, AOL, Time Warner, layoffs

(Page 1 of 1)


The Bestsellers

From iTunes and YouTube to Facebook and Kindle, the most popular content on the web, free and paid.

Android Apps (Free) Android Apps (Free)
1. Facebook for Android
2. Pandora® internet radio
3. Angry Birds
4. Words With Friends Free
5. Voxer Walkie-Talkie PTT
See The Other Bestsellers »

Jobs RSS Job Listings

Social Standing

Which media brands are getting a lift from Tweeters and bloggers right now -- and which are getting panned?

"Sentiment" Scores for All the Companies »

Sponsors

Staff