Possible executive suite shake-up [Confirmed.]
#1
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Possible executive suite shake-up [Confirmed.]
Interesting story developing that Mark Bergsrud, SVP Marketing and Chris Amenechi, VP Merchandising & Distribution were asked to leave the company on 13 December.
That's a major shake-up and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to replace them. The company has certainly struggled with their marketing message since the merger and I personally know of at least a few glitches on the distribution side of the house, though it is not clear if this move is tied to specific events or more general problems.
I haven't yet seen confirmation of this in any public sources and I'm working on getting that confirmation. If true, this is a pretty big deal.
It has been confirmed. See below for more.
That's a major shake-up and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to replace them. The company has certainly struggled with their marketing message since the merger and I personally know of at least a few glitches on the distribution side of the house, though it is not clear if this move is tied to specific events or more general problems.
It has been confirmed. See below for more.
Last edited by sbm12; Dec 14, 2012 at 9:25 am
#2
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Wow...interesting as those who made the Bergsrud decision were people he's worked with for years - Compton / Smisek. It's not like he was an unknown quantity to them.
Though if you were to find a source that was a bit less sensitive to the UA side of the house and had an 'our way or the highway' view...
Though if you were to find a source that was a bit less sensitive to the UA side of the house and had an 'our way or the highway' view...
#4
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#6
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Interesting story developing that Mark Bergsrud, SVP Marketing and Chris Amenechi, VP Merchandising & Distribution were asked to leave the company on 13 December.
That's a major shake-up and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to replace them. The company has certainly struggled with their marketing message since the merger and I personally know of at least a few glitches on the distribution side of the house, though it is not clear if this move is tied to specific events or more general problems.
I haven't yet seen confirmation of this in any public sources and I'm working on getting that confirmation. If true, this is a pretty big deal.
That's a major shake-up and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to replace them. The company has certainly struggled with their marketing message since the merger and I personally know of at least a few glitches on the distribution side of the house, though it is not clear if this move is tied to specific events or more general problems.
I haven't yet seen confirmation of this in any public sources and I'm working on getting that confirmation. If true, this is a pretty big deal.
#7
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Bergsrud was/is also responsible for "treating all elites equal" focus. Plus, merchandising seems to have underperformed. This announcement, if true might indicate that some of the CO approach to running the new United is receiving renewed scrutiny. Although I don't know much about Amenechi, this should be considered a step in the right direction.
Last edited by anc-ord772; Dec 14, 2012 at 7:45 am
#8
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I think this story might have truth. If I'm remembering correctly (and I might not be), Bergsrud is no longer on the Investor Website, and I believe O'Toole as now taken on the added title.
http://ir.unitedcontinentalholdings....irol-govManage
http://ir.unitedcontinentalholdings....irol-govManage
#9
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I actually can understand the distribution side a bit. If they are responsible for all the integration with 3rd party stuff as I believe they are then perhaps the past 9 months or so of problems with 3rd party systems and the associated costs finally bubbled up to the top. I know I'd be pretty pissed as a boss to find out that I was selling my premium product at an unplanned discounted price, even if only in small volumes.
For Bergsrud, I can see how personalities might have clashed in the office based on a few limited interactions. I can also see how some public views - his claim that their social media team was "on it" a few months back was quite ridiculous - could lead others to think he wasn't actually seeing what was going on in real life.
But, to answer the direct question, no. I have no idea why.
#10
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The MO of the ex-CO people is to do things exactly how CO had done it. Edit, Find, Continental, Replace, United, Replace All? Yes, OK.
Just look at the logo. They squandered attempt to do something new.
And remember the original logo? It was even the same font as the old CO logo.
I guess there was enough outcry that they changed it, but it was around for a bit.
I think this story might have truth. If I'm remembering correctly (and I might not be), Bergsrud is no longer on the Investor Website, and I believe O'Toole as now taken on the added title.
http://ir.unitedcontinentalholdings....irol-govManage
http://ir.unitedcontinentalholdings....irol-govManage
According to that site, Foland (ex-UA) appears to have marketing.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Dec 14, 2012 at 7:26 am Reason: merge
#11
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Yes, Foland is EVP of Marketing (and Technology and Strategy), with O'Toole as SVP of Marketing and Loyalty.
I believe Bergsrud was an SVP most recently? At least all the articles that I'm pulling up about him, including a now defunct link to the UA IR website all says SVP.
I believe Bergsrud was an SVP most recently? At least all the articles that I'm pulling up about him, including a now defunct link to the UA IR website all says SVP.
#14
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With the changes we've noticed recently (1K meal choice, 1K big on the BP, etc.), it's possible that the CO way of thinking is on its way out the door. If that's the case, it's possible that ex-COers have a target on their back.