One of the biggest implementation headaches in the Yahoo-Microsoft search deal was employee turnover and those concerns seem to be valid. BoomTown’s Kara Swisher is reporting that Joanne Bradford, senior vice president of U.S. revenue and market development at Yahoo, is leaving for Demand Media.
Swisher said that Bradford is becoming chief revenue officer of Demand Media, but there are two immediate worries for Yahoo. First, Bradford is responsible for revenue as the first quarter comes to a close. And second, Bradford is a key player in implementing the Microsoft search partnership.
The fallout from Bradford’s departure on the Microsoft search pact is unclear. But it doesn’t help that Bradford used to be a Microsoft employee too. If you recall, Yahoo has to implement ad systems, keep its customers in the fold amid platform changes, work closely with Microsoft and hit its revenue targets.
That’s a daunting task without turnover.
Yahoo is already a battleground among analysts and Bradford’s departure is likely to raise a few more eyebrows.
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