Yahoo’s second most senior executive, Henrique de Castro, is leaving the technology company this week, and no reason has been given for the abrupt departure.
His departure will deal a blow to the firm’s efforts to revive flagging sales and internet traffic in the face of increased competition from rival sites. It may also be an expensive loss for Chief Executive Officer of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer. Castro is one of Silicon Valley’s most highly-paid executives and may receive a multi-million-dollar severance package.
According to reports, there were tensions between Castro and Mayer, who had poached him from Google shortly after she took over at the company. Castro’s main role was to act as Yahoo’s top sales executive and build relationships with key advertising clients.
However, the company has failed to significantly increase advertising revenues for its website and mobile applications. Display-advertising revenue, which accounts for about 40% of the company’s sales, fell 7% to $421m (£257m) from a year ago in the third quarter. Yahoo also lowered its profit outlook for fiscal 2013 during its last earnings release in October.
