Google’s first woman engineer lands the top job at struggling Yahoo!
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Marissa Mayer, described as “a leading consumer internet executive,” is Yahoo!’s new CEO and President, it was announced today.
37 year-old Mayer was Google’s first ever woman engineer and will also sit on the Yahoo! Board of Directors effective immediately.
The appointment of Mayer signals a “renewed focus on product innovation to drive user experience and advertising revenue for one of the world’s largest consumer internet brands,” the company said in a statement
Mayer joined Google in 1999 as its 20th employee and led the development of its flagship search and homepage toolbar, iGoogle, Google News, and Gmail – creating much of the “look and feel” of the Google user experience.
She has quit her role in Google and will take up her new post immediately.
Yahoo! has been through a rough ride with its bosses, of late.
Ex CEO Scott Thompson quit the top job in May after just five months due to reported illness but there was also controversy over his professional qualifications, taking over from replacing Carol Bartz, who got the boot after three years.
Mayer’s new products that may need the Google touch include Yahoo! Finance, Sports, Mobile, Mail, and Search.
Mayer said she is “honored and delighted to lead Yahoo!.”
“I look forward to working with the Company’s dedicated employees to bring innovative products, content, and personalized experiences to users and advertisers all around the world.”
“Marissa is a well-known, visionary leader in user experience and product design and one of Silicon Valley’s most exciting strategists in technology development,” said Yahoo! Co-Founder David Filo.
“I look forward to working with her to enhance Yahoo’s product offerings for our over 700 million unique monthly visitors.”
