Gawker
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Spencer Greene
Juniper Networks No. 2 on his way out?
We hear Spencer Greene, long the right-hand man of Juniper Networks chairman Scott Kriens, is on his way out. Not entirely surprising, since Kriens was recently replaced as CEO by Kevin Johnson, a former top Microsoft executive. Our source tells us Greene is currently on a two-month "vacation" — the source used scare quotes — overseas.
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By Owen ThomasComment by dingdongditch: Any bets he might go join andy bechtolsheim? more » | Other threads
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microsoft
Steve Ballmer and ex-sidekick get lowball bonuses
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his online services lieutenant Kevin Johnson couldn't finish the Yahoo merger negotiations they started on January 31. Microsoft's annual filings reveal the pair will pay for their failure with their bonuses. Johnson, who left the company in July, was promised a bonus between 97 percent and 100 percent of his salary and will earn only 97 percent. Ballmer, who was promised a bonus between 100 percent and 200 percent of his salary, earned a 109 percent bonus. Oh, to be a mediocre CEO and failed strategist at Microsoft: Though it's down a bit from last year, Johnson still earned $6.8 million in total compensation. Ballmer pulled a total of of $1.35 million on the year and still owns billions worth of Microsoft stock. (Photo by AP/Sarbach) -
jackpot
Kevin Johnson's multimillion-dollar consolation prize for losing Yahoo
How much does one get for bungling an acquisition of Yahoo and leading a huge investment in Facebook at a questionable valuation? For former Microsoft VP and new Juniper Networks CEO Kevin Johnson, it's at least $8.2 million in salary and signing bonus, plus 1.6 million stock options and a shot at 350,000 shares in performance-tied stock grants over the course of four years. More »
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By Jackson WestComment by TheChris2.0: @Jackson West: Not a jab at the photo I assure you. Isiah Thomas ran the Knicks into the ground by wildly... more » | Other threads
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recap
Jackson West, please come home — all is forgiven
Why did I let Jackson West take a vacation? While our associate editor was away, we actually wrote something nice about Gavin Newsom — and he only had to save San Francisco from a rogue IT guy to do it! Microsoft's Windows chief, Kevin Johnson, ended up in Sunnyvale, Calif. — but not, as he'd hoped, in the corner office at Yahoo HQ. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg flubbed more media interviews this week, prompting us to suggest he get help. Maybe he could take tips from the Internet-famous Julia Allison, who crashed his developers' conference? More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by BartKela: @mrfomoco: Yes, that's what blog comments are for! more » | Other threads
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kevin johnson
Would-be Yahoo conquerer always welcome in Yahoo cafeteria, says exec
Kevin Johnson, the former boss of Microsoft's former Platform and Services Division, had to have thought he'd be moving to Sunnyvale this fall under different circumstances. Instead of riding into Yahoo HQ as a conquering hero, Johnson will take over Juniper Networks, a maker of fine and very boring networking hardware. Conveniently, however, Juniper is just around the corner from Yahoo. One senior Yahoo exec tell us that Johnson should feel welcome to join them for a latte at Beantrees: "Juniper Networks HQ is located 2 blocks from Yahoo’s HQ in Sunnyvale. So he can eat at our cafeteria!" Above, we've provided a Yahoo Map with walking directions to make the trip that much easier. Welcome to Silicon Valley, Mr. Johnson.
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Comment by Nicholas Carlson: @Basha1: Yeah Google says Yahoo is located in a dumpster. Which is mean. And totally not true. more » | Other threads
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hires
There's a bubble in the market for Jon Miller
Everyone wants a piece of beloved former AOL CEO Jon MIller, who was oh so unfairly fired, loyalists say, by Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes. First gossips suggested Miller as a fit to replace ineffectual Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang. Then, on Monday, Yang himself said Miller would fill one of Carl Icahn's new seats on the Yahoo board. Now, a source tells Kara Swisher that Miller is "one of the top outside candidates on the list" to head Microsoft's new Online Services division. Maybe everyone can stop moaning about the way Bewkes handled Miller's dismissal now?
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Comment by Troll_2.0: I that pic he has a look on his face like "I have a broom up my butt, and I... more » | Other threads
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kevin johnson
Microsoft's Windows dilemma
Here are all the talking points you'll hear about Kevin Johnson's departure as the chief of Microsoft's sprawling Platform and Services Division — and what to say about them. The failed Yahoo bid killed his prospects of becoming Microsoft's CEO. Perhaps, but Steve Ballmer, who is more to blame for the Yahoo debacle, wasn't going anywhere, and Johnson may not have been prepared to wait. Johnson was charged with competing with Google in search and advertising, and he failed. And you would have done any better? Facebook took Microsoft for everything it's worth in striking its deal for Microsoft to invest and sell ads on the social network — and that's Johnson's fault. True enough, but Microsoft's $240 million investment is pocket change for the software giant. Enough with the cocktail-party chatter. Here's why I think Johnson really left. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by Uncle-Sam's Littlle Helper: I find tha Search thingy cool, where MSFT give money to Red cross when you use that search engine. Oh God,... more » | Other threads
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kevin johnson
Microsoft exec who led Facebook investment, Yahoo bid departs for Juniper
"The departure of Kevin Johnson, president of Microsoft's Platforms and Services Division, will be combined with a reorganization of the business unit, which houses both the online services business and Windows software for personal computers," reports the Wall Street Journal. Johnson was a rarity in Microsoft's top ranks — a business guy who rose up through Microsoft's sales organization, not a technical whiz kid who served as a special assistant to Bill Gates. He was seen as a possible successor to CEO Steve Ballmer. Instead, he's joining Juniper Networks, a telecom equipment maker. (Photo by AP/Elaine Thompson)
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By Paul BoutinComment by sggrf: No one, I mean no one at Microsoft believes in their Internet strategy which is why they all leave in... more » | Other threads
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elliot schrage
Facebook flack takes over computing platform
Can a PR guy run an operating system? Silicon Valley's gut reaction: No way. And yet that's what Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has done in appointing Elliot Schrage, her handpicked flack, to run Facebook's platform. The platform, when it launched a year ago, was hailed as the world's next Windows; by opening up its friends lists and other features to outside developers, Facebook would surely become the next Microsoft, ran the standard line of punditry, in an age when the pundits were in love with Facebook. That, more than anything, surely stirred Microsoft to invest $240 million in the company. But in one very short year — or a very long one, rather — Facebook's platform has gone from selling point to PR headache. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by whatfreshhell: Zero product experience, and minus-zero understanding of - or interest in - technology. (Surprised that Sandberg would sanction this -... more » | Other threads
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jerry yang
Cowed Yahoo board members' wishlist of Yang and Decker replacements
Yahoo shares are almost below $20 in morning trading and as the company approaches its August 1 annual meeting, Yahoo's directors have finally begun to fear for their jobs and their reputations. They're negotiating with Yahoo's major shareholders and, along with agreeing to renew talks with Microsoft and approach AOL for acquisition, some on the board are offering to promote CEO Jerry Yang into a non-executive chairmanship and fire Yahoo president Sue Decker. Reporter's reporter Kara Swisher reports that shareholders and some board members have already come up with a wish list of names for the top jobs. More » -
leaks
Microsoft's Kevin Johnson explains the failed Yahoo merger to troops
Despite all the reports to the contrary, Microsoft actually ended its bid to acquire Yahoo way back in April. At least, that's what Microsoft topper Kevin Johnson would have his underlings believe. "In a March 10th meeting in Palo Alto, we explained to Yahoo management the importance of reaching an agreement by the end of April," Johnson wrote in a memo. More »
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Comment by Benders_Geek: Microsoft is your Grandfather's computing company. A Dinosaur relic of the 1980's, that has not nor could not innovate... more » | Other threads
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online advertising
Microsoft's online chief: "Paid search is getting more credit than it deserves"
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer believes the online advertising market will reach $40 billion this year and grow to $80 billion by 2010. Last year, Microsoft earned only $2 billion from it. Google claimed $8 billion. This disparity upsets Ballmer and so he's put his man Kevin Johnson to the task of remedying the situation. Since most of Google's revenues come from search marketing, Johnson's first plan is to acquire more search queries for Microsoft. Hence the bid to acquire Yahoo, or at least its search business. But Johnson knows more search queries for Microsoft won't unseat Google alone, and so his second step is convince advertisers that Google's search advertising isn't worth all the money they spend on it. To make that argument, Johnson will rely on a tool Microsoft acquired when it purchased aQuantive last year: engagement mapping, a system that will tell vendors which ads consumers saw on the Web before they purchased a product. More » -
kevin johnson
Microsoft's internal memo on Yahoo
Microsoft platforms and services president Kevin Johnson addressed employees in an internal memo over the weekend to discuss Yahoo and Microsoft's online strategy. The 11-word version : "We are not where we want to be. Hear more Wednesday." For the superfluous details, see our 100-word version, or, for the gluttons for repetition and passive voice among you, Johnson's entire email, both below: More »
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Comment by viewrcorp: A lesson in why one needs to be focused. What "right" ? --- Karl Lingenfelder www.viewr.com more » | Other threads
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confirmed
Ballmer, sighted in Palo Alto, was there for Yahoo meeting
A Valleywag tipster spotted Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and fellow executive Kevin Johnson in Palo Alto on Wednesday. Kara Swisher now confirms they were in California for a meeting with Yahoo. [BoomTown]
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By Owen ThomasComment by WaggingValley: How is that confirmed? Are you sure the meeting took place in Palo Alto? Kara's post says nothing... more » | Other threads
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exits
Is Ballmer on his way out — and if so, who's the next CEO?
Emails are flying out of Redmond with this speculation: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's botched $50 billion bid for Yahoo could mean the end of his career. While Microsoft's board reportedly gave the CEO considerable leeway in handling the deal, his dithering approach and his failure to sell the deal both to Yahoo's board and Microsoft's own executives don't reflect well on the sweaty screamer. The only problem: Microsoft has no obvious successor for Ballmer. More » -
acquisitions
Yahoo's $37 demand talks, Microsoft's $33 offer walks
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer heeded our advice and walked away from a bid for Yahoo. Did he dodge a potentially career-ending bullet? "The talks broke down this afternoon after a face to face meeting in the Seattle area that included Microsoft CEO Steve ballmer, Microsoft exec. kevin johnson, and Yahoo co-founders Jerry Yang and David Filo." [All Things Digital] (Photo by Yodel Anecdotal)
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By Jackson WestComment by Carlos: Yeah, we'll be seeing yahoo at 5 before it's all over with. Saved from a moronic decision by hubris:... more » | Other threads
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nerdspotting
Steve Ballmer seen in Palo Alto today, near Facebook's offices
A tipster writes:Was parked on University Ave right east of University Cafe near Waverly, on a conference call dealing with business for my own startup company. And lo and behold, Steve Ballmer, Kevin Johnson and some other woman walked out of the building on the corner (right @ 3pm). They walked along University Ave toward El Camino Real. I worked at MSFT for 3 years before leaving to do my start up so I know it was certainly then. Lots of silence on the Yahoo deal, and perhaps they were on Facebook business unrelated... but who knows.
Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, was rumored to be meeting with Yahoo executives in Oregon. No need to go so far! He was just a few stops down 101 from Yahoo's Sunnyvale headquarters. But our tipster may be right about Ballmer being here on Facebook business. Kevin Johnson, one of Ballmer's companions, was president of Microsoft's Windows division and an architect of its Facebook investment. Facebook investor Accel Partners is located on University near Waverly; from there, the Microsoft team walked in the direction of Facebook's offices. Anyone know what they were up to? Drop us a line.
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By Owen ThomasComment by TeenageCaveman: @BartKela: Ah ok... just as long as they weren't all walking out of Chico's we're cool. more » | Other threads
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100-word version
Kevin Johnson's "leaked" Microsoft memo, made Friday-friendly
Microsoft exec Kevin Johnson wrote an email to his team today and later put a copy online. At 1,800 words, you'll never get through it in what's left of Friday. Here's the 100-word version: More »
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Comment by stupindus: ...a proposal as seen through rose-colored glasses. more » | Other threads
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live coverage
Microsoft's conference call on $44.6 billion Yahoo offer
Microsoft has offered $44.6 billion to buy Yahoo in a cash-and-stock deal. Here are highlights from the conference call Microsoft is holding to discuss it. More » -
kevin johnson
Microsoft internal Facebook email a self-congratulatory high-five
Internal memos offer, if not juicy gossip, telling insight into the character of an organization. Not so with the missive Microsoft lead negotiator Kevin Johnson sent around to explain his Facebook triumph. It's just more "win-win-win" blather that you'd expect from a salesman. Johnson tells coworkers the deal will demonstrate to advertisers that Microsoft is a winner and that for publishers "it is further evidence of Microsoft's commitment to long-term innovation." I'm sure the thousands of geeks in Microsoft's R&D labs are stewing over that line — not that they've come up with anything even vaguely as cool as Facebook. But whatever. We know the real reason Johnson sent the memo. To get this reply from Ballmer — the CEO's actual words: "Great job you really pulled this together unbelievably." Cha-ching! -
online advertising
Microsoft's master salesman feigns neutrality
Kevin Johnson, who runs Microsoft's Windows and Web businesses, is a master salesman. And making a sale, of course, requires a fine-tuned ability to bullshit on demand. Nowhere is that ability more on display than in Microsoft's announcement of a deal to buy AdECN, a supposedly neutral marketplace where advertisers and publishers can buy and sell online ads. AdECN is also a competitor to recent Yahoo acquisition Right Media and DoubleClick, which Google is trying to buy. Johnson claims Microsoft won't favor its own websites, or partners like Facebook or Digg. Of course, that's nonsense. How do I know that? AdECN told me so. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by siliconvalet: Whenever an ad-related business starts talking about 'neutrality' or 'transparency' or 'openness' it's a sure sign that they're just not... more » | Other threads
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microsoft
The new Microsoft hegemony: Kevin Johnson's reorg rundown
Meet the new Products and Services Division team at Microsoft. In the second part of Kevin Johnson's leaked internal memo, the MS co-president outlines who's coming and who's staying in Windows Live, the Core Operating System Division, the Online Business Group, and several other PSD departments. More » -
kevin johnson
MSN Meltdown: Kevin Johnson shuffles PSD, round one
Executives have been dropping like flies (flies that are only taking a break! Honest!) at MSN. The Microsoft division is sinking as Microsoft's Live project takes over. More » -
msn
MSN Meltdown: Senior VP David Cole forced out, Yusuf Mehdi is next
MSN is a swamp, and Microsoft is flushing it out. MSN director David Cole sent a company memo announcing his retirement this morning. The senior VP ran the network since 2001; since then, its search market share has slowly drifted to the bottom. More »
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By ndouglasComment by Nick Douglas: Yeah, "recreate" is a word. Normal people say "play," but whatever. By the way, geek 101, great comments and all, but... more » | Other threads
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