news just broke, Karthik Rao is new CEO.
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He's the most boring guy on the planet. When you hear him in meetings it's like listening to white noise. No personality whatsoever. I cannot help but think that he's been put in as a scapegoat. I give him a year before he gets put on garden leave.
I was a long time Nielsen vet on the ratings side of the biz when KR slowly started to worm his way into the picture, coming over from BASES and then glomming on to the Ad Solutions biz. Dude had little respect from us vets in the know and other industry vets that had been thru the ratings wars on behalf of Nielsen over the years. My hunch back then, which now seems to be true, is KR was a person of color that who though lacked industry experience compared to prior CEOs (Calhoun/Barnes) but was clearly a smart dude who could be groomed and eventually suffice as CEO in this new world of DEI. Summary: Smart guy (think he was in Med school), not really an industry player, person of color who can prob pull it off even though maybe not as qualified as prior CEOs.
KR had his own ethics investigation for an affair with a lawyer at Nielsen, who then resigned. Apparently he did nothing wrong because she was not a direct report, but when you’re that level, everyone is a direct report imo. Apparently while they were hooking up she got promoted over others with more experience. Nielsen doesn’t have a policy to disclose dating relationships so he was cleared. He’s also a party boy by all accounts. He also yelled I AM NOT AN ID--T in a town hall a few months back but that part was edited out on replays. lmao. He’s not without experience but he’s not great either and had just a big of a hand in what’s happened as Kenny. I fully expect more slashing next year. And let’s see if they’ll have another yacht at Cannes.
"Karthik? I only know of him vaguely. Is this a good or bad thing?"
He's just another leader, nothing stands out. Many are curious as to why.
anyone familiar with Karthik? I only know of him vaguely. is this a good or bad thing?
In many markets in Europe Nielsen has a minimum staff and long term contract (next 3-4 years ). It is not like US with lots of divisions and departments. Of course, you can remove some commercial positions, merge two positions into one, but when you have minimum staff, you cannot do mass reduction, otherwise cannot deliverer the service anymore
What does this mean???
David Kenny was the last person in the US to get laid off.
There will be lots of layoffs in Europe in the coming months. The US is done....for now. It is so easy to layoff in the US, you are never really 'safe'. If you haven't been here long, start looking for a new job....if you have been here long and will have good severance, maybe just wait it out, lol
Does this mean DK has been put aside? Immediately after the US layoffs? Do you think it means he did his job and no more layoffs are planned?
KR will not replace himself LFL = savings. DK salary will go, prob replaced by equity (off the EBITDA)..strategy doesn't change.
Does this mean DK has been put aside? Immediately after the US layoffs? Do you think it means he did his job and no more layoffs are planned?