HTC Shakes up Executive Ranks Amid Stock Slump

From DailyTech: Taiwanese Android smartphone manufacturer HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) continues to tread water as it struggles to revamp its leadership team. HTC's flagship 1080p Android smartphone, the HTC One, generally beat out Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd.'s (KSC:A005930) Galaxy S IV in reviews, but has not yet revived HTC's financials.

Following an 83 percent slump in profit for the last quarter, chief executive Peter Chou decided to create a new position and shuffle a successful executive into another crucial role.

In the memo -- obtained by The Wall Street Journal -- Mr. Chou writes:

Effective immediately, in addition to his current duties in supporting me with global corporate strategy, [President of Global Sales] Jason Mackenzie will lead HTC America. [President of North America] Mike Woodward will lead Emerging Devices, a newly established business unit that will focus on innovative new HTC products and global distribution strategies.

Mr. Mackenzie had previously served as HTC's president of Americas, before moving to head global sales strategy. In his original role, Mr. Mackenzie guided HTC to briefly seize the top spot in U.S. smartphone sales. But in his new role he failed to gain signficant traction globally, while U.S. sales slipped as well. Thus it is perhaps not surprising to see his return to his original spot where he saw the most success.

Mr. Woodward was a capture from U.S. wireless carrier AT&T, Inc. (T). At AT&T he was VP of the carrier's consumer wireless device and accessory portfolio.

His new position will particularly be focused on exploring new form factors, such as "smart watches". HTC missed the tablet boom and is determined not to miss out on what may be the next big thing -- wearable electronics.

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