Could AOL/Time warner Be on to Something?

Yesterday’s announcement that AOL is replacing its CEO, Randy Falco and COO, Ron Grant, after a transition period is no real surprise. Speculation about this change has been rampant for some time. The real issue revolves around the announcement that AOL snagged Tim Armstrong, Google’s head of ad sales to become chairman and CEO of AOL. Armstrong has been with Google virtually from the beginning. AOL obviously hopes he will be a game changer for the firm. It is hard to see besides the possibility that he relishes a sisyphean challenge what Armstrong sees in his new position. AOL is in need of so much change even a player with the talents of Armstrong faces a real uphill struggle to make AOL a going concern again.

Time Warner intends to spin off AOL at some point, they have already made that known. While I am very impressed with the fact that AOL snagged such a powerhouse as Armstrong, I remain skeptical about what even he can do. For the moment the selection is a positive for AOL and Time Warner but long term it will be tough slogging ahead.

Stay tuned this is going to be very interesting.

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Paidcontent.org

Wall Street Journal

Wired

Econsultancy

Ad Week

Dividend.com

VentureBeat

TechCrunch

CEO Watch - Richard Parsons, Time Warner Update 2

It's official, Time Warner TWX (NYSE) announced that its Board of Directors has elected Jeffrey L. Bewkes as Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc., effective January 1, 2008. Bewkes currently President and Chief Operating Officer will retain the title of President. Bewkes will succeed Richard D. Parsons as CEO, and Mr. Parsons will remain as Chairman of the Board.

There may be real changes ahead for Time Warner. Stay tuned

For more:

Time Warner Release
LA Times
Times Online UK
Marketwatch
The Register
CNBC

CEO Watch - Richard Parsons, Time Warner Update 1

Reuters today reported that according to a report by CNBC, Richard Parsons will step down as CEO of Time Warner. The report claims Parsons will step down as CEO but remain as Chairman. Jeffrey Bewkes, the chief operating officer would become Parsons' replacement as CEO on January 1, 2008.

We can expect a lot more on this shortly.

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paidcontent.org
CNBC
Wall Street Journal

CEO Watch - Richard Parsons, Time Warner

Richard Parsons, the well known CEO of Time Warner TWX (NYSE), has been rumored for some time to be considering giving up his position as CEO. According to a story by Dan Sabbagh of the Times UK referring to Parsons stated,

(Parsons) is poised to announce that he will handover the top job at the CNN to Harry Potter conglomerate to longstanding number two Jeff Bewkes.

The announcement of the end of the African-American’s five and a half year tenure could come as soon as next week, after the matter was discussed at a board meeting in London on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Technically, no final decision was taken by the board...

Stay tuned for further updates.

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