Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Google steals Yahoo CTO

Yahoo can't be happy right now - Google just stole its chief technology officer in India. As part of the deal, Prasad Bharat Ram has been given control of Google's research and development arm in Bangalore.

Only last week, we reported on Google's (self-proclaimed) difficulties in finding experienced people to staff its South Asian operations. The company's latest hire seems eminently qualified. "Prasad Ram brings to Google a wealth of experience in technology development and organisation building, as well as a deep knowledge of the local Indian market," said Alan Eustace, vice president of engineering at Google, to Rustomjee. Ram's departure from Yahoo may not have been too unpleasant, even though Google and Yahoo are more or less sworn enemies. The research and development CEO of Yahoo India, Venkat Panchapakesan, remained civil, saying, "Prasad Ram has decided to move due to personal reasons. We value his contribution towards our organisation and wish him success."

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