KEY POINTS:
A top Telecom executive is to head the new venture between the company's internet service Xtra and Yahoo.
Telecom general manager consumer marketing Kevin Bowler is to take on the job of Yahoo!Xtra chief executive officer in July, Telecom announced today.
Mr Bowler joined Telecom in 2003 from New Zealand Dairy Foods, where he was general manager, beverages division.
Before that he was the general manager of marketing, bakery products at RHM Foods in Britain, and had spent time in the advertising industry, directing accounts for Air New Zealand and Cadbury.
At Telecom, he was in the team that led the turn-around of the company's mobile business with the launch of the third generation network T3G, Yahoo!Xtra chairman Ian Smith said.
Mr Bowler would oversee the further development of Yahoo!Xtra with the introduction of new interactive Yahoo! products and services and ongoing New Zealand content from the local editorial team.
"We see great potential in Yahoo!Xtra for both internet users and advertisers, and Kevin is the ideal person to build on Yahoo!Xtra's strengths to create a broad media company focused on the delivery of relevant content to all New Zealanders across a number of delivery platforms."
- NZPA
