Yahoo! reorganization gets under way

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- California's Yahoo! launched its anticipated reorganization and management shakeup as it attempts to regain its top-shelf stock value.

A statement late Tuesday said head of Yahoo! Media Group Lloyd Braun and Chief Operating Officer Dan Rosensweig would be leaving the company as it reorganizes into three major customer groups -- audiences, advertisers and publishers.

"The Internet is continuing to grow and evolve at a rapid pace, and we're reshaping Yahoo! to be a leader in this transformation," Chairman Terry Semel said in a news release. "Our strategy capitalizes on big emerging trends and leverages our core strengths in search, media, communities and communications."

Internet analysts said the changes were expected due to a sluggish performance in its stock price relative to surging rival Google.

Details of the plans were not revealed other than pledges to provide a better overall experience for Yahoo users and advertisers.

The Hollywood Reporter noted Wednesday that the future of Yahoo! Media was not addressed by the company. The unit had been launched with the promise of increased original content that the Reporter described as relatively modest thus far.