Yahoo7 bolsters exec team with overseas talent

Yahoo7, which is a partnership between broadcaster 7 and Yahoo, announced on Wednesday that it has appointed a new chief operating officer (COO) and a new chief sales officer.

Bruno Fiorentini, who was previously the general manager of Yahoo Brazil and Argentina, takes the role of COO and will be responsible for developing the future roadmap and new products for the Australian market.

Markus Barnikel was based at Yahoo's headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, and moves from director of global sales to chief sales officer for Yahoo7. He has been with Yahoo for about six years and has led the Yahoo sales development teams in Germany, Singapore and the US.

Yahoo7's chief executive officer Ian Smith described the appointments as a "coup".

"Together they bring significant levels of international experience, expertise and exuberance. Their decision to move to Australia further demonstrates the momentum behind Yahoo7 and the opportunities that lie ahead," said Smith in a statement.

Yahoo7's biggest rival, ninemsn, last month abolished the CIO role and appointed Nick Spooner as its new chief operating officer.