Motricity SVP Of Sales George Fraser Departs; Memo Signals International Plans
Bellevue, Wash.-based Motricity, which merged with InfoSpace (NSDQ: INSP) early last year, has lost another executive from the InfoSpace ranks, according to an internal memo leaked to mocoNews. Motricity’s COO Jim Smith wrote to employees: “It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing the departure of a solid leader within Motricity, our Senior Vice President of Sales, George Fraser.” He said Fraser is moving back to England to spend more time with his family. The memo also hinted at Motricity’s international plans, saying that Fraser will continue to support Motricity in that role until his departure March 31.
Motricity SVP Brendan Benzing confirmed Fraser’s departure and said they aren’t expecting to fill the job immediately. Instead, the company is creating a flatter structure with the sales team reporting directly to Smith. In January, Motricity appointed Smith to the role of President and COO, replacing former president and COO Steve Elfman, whose departure to Sprint (NYSE: S) spurred a lawsuit between the two companies.
What? An executive (other than Wuerch) "leaving" Motricity? How stupid are the investors that don't see this long running trend? Is there anyone on the Board asking any questions about how this place operates? It seems the only news that has come out of Motricity in the past couple years are:
1. Executive turnover
2. Lawsuits
3. New venture capital (i.e. not profitable)
4. Great stories about a broken corporate culture
Headed towards the ultimate flat structure – no employees! And I'm not sure what "international plans" Tricia thinks she sees in a guy giving two weeks' notice and saying "if you need me, I'll be at home."
Finally, another observer who can take a step back and see what's really going on, rather than a bitter ex-employee or visionary guru. What. Is. Up. With. These. Investors ?! Shouldn't they be downright embarrassed at having put up the money for this never-ending boondoggle?
Why would the company say it is "with mixed emotions" that they see someone leave? Sounds like lots of bad blood. The guy probably had an impossible task, selling this the services of this fad-driven clearinghouse, which was long in the tooth BEFORE the economy ground to a halt. I wonder if the announcement presages the announcement of a lost contract. I wonder if that's why they're already hinting about "international expansion", thinking their investors will fall for misdirection AGAIN.
Can we please see some honest investigative journalism with just a modicum of effort to not just buy the Potemkin village facades, to at least lift the curtain to pay attention to the man behind it?
Does anyone know how expensive a place the investors bought for the CEO in Washington? Have they sold the Raleigh palace yet, or are they still making payments on THAT boondoggle?
Why would the SVP of Sales leave so soon after such a landmark, banner year for revenue? Didn't they pull in over $100MM in F2008?
"Didn’t they pull in over $100MM in F2008? "
if it is anything like i remember, the revenue numbers are padded in some form or fashion. the piper will be paid
"the piper will be paid"
With what, ringbacktones and Bible verses?
Hi. The Piper here. Good to hear I'm going to get paid. When, exactly? If I haven't been paid yet, after a decade of cash having been burned in a transparent con by hucksters buying fancy cars and houses, I don't think it's going to happen. I've given up waiting.
Isn't "100 MM" in revenue actually a DECLINE in the total revenue from the two businesses that were put together, if you add their revenue when they were independent?
Motricity is going to the dogs. They are cutting employees while off shoring all the development and testing work to India. Global Logic the offshore firm is bringing in people illegally and employee benefits are being cut. No more 401k match and they even cut parking. All this while they are increasing the amount of money they charge their clients.
What…..I say what is going on here? How can this place still be open? Wuerch needs a spot in Obama's cabinet. I mean nothing there but a bunch of tax cheats and "great speakers" there too. How this man lives with himself will be one of life's great mysteries.
Glad I got canned way back when I did…this place is a joke.
Motricity is going on increasing offshoring to GlobabLogic ,so many of them are here in US . what is obama doing close this firm