After a year as the global lead on the Microsoft-Yahoo search integration program, Microsoft exec Brett Wayn has decided to jump ship and go work for Yahoo to head its local marketing business.
In March, Wayn was appointed as the lead figure on the Microsoft side on the Search Alliance project, a joint effort by Microsoft and Yahoo that combines Yahoo's paid search ads with Microsoft Bing's ad serving technology. The project also includes a training program where executives from each company spend time at the other.
In his new role at Yahoo, Wayn will be running the company's local division, according to AllThingsD, which first reported the move. Wayn will replace Matt Idema, who left Yahoo to be director of Facebook's business operations in March.
Previously, Wayn worked as a general manager of global programming, which included overseeing MSN's media academy for editorial training, a position he joined in 2008. He started working with Microsoft after acting as an independent consultant for the company's executive management team.
A Microsoft spokesperson said in an email: "We can confirm that Brett Wayn has left Microsoft. We wish him well on his new endeavors."
Write to Shareen Pathak
