50 more jobs go as Harris restructures US operations
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US-- Harris Interactive has culled 51 jobs in the US as it looks to “realign its cost structure and pursue its strategic vision of delivering a higher level of service”.
The cuts, which amount to 8% of the firm's US workforce, include research, project management, operations, marketing, sales and corporate roles, and will save between $5m and $6m annually.
Harris has reorganised its research business units into “integrated vertical teams” to focus more resources on client issues and announced the formation of several “centres of excellence” to develop new products and services.
George Terhanian, president of the firm's European business, will return to the US as president of global solutions to oversee the centres of excellence, manage the Harris Poll and lead new product development. Terhanian will leave his current post in the UK in March 2009. It is not yet known who will replace him.
President and CEO Kimberly Till said: “These are our first steps to reshape the company and rebuild revenue and profits… This streamlined structure will allow us to combine our solutions and industry expertise to spark innovation and to better address our clients' business issues.”
Till was brought in as Harris CEO in October, replacing Greg Novak, after the board became frustrated with a run of poor results. She has been tasked with leading the agency to “new levels of growth”.
Click here for an exclusive interview with Till on the way forward for Harris Interactive.
On Terhanian, Till said: “I am delighted that someone of George's intellect, expertise and track record will spearhead the company's efforts in developing industry-leading products and solutions.”
Harris has also announced that chief financial officer Ronald Salluzzo will leave the company as of tomorrow to be replaced by interim CFO Deborah Rieger-Paganis, a director at Alix Partners – a business advisory firm currently under contract with Harris. The firm said it expects to appoint a new full-time CFO by April next year.
Author: James Verrinder
Related links:
Kimberly Till takes charge at Harris Interactive
UK jobs axed in Harris cost-cutting plan
Harris closes last US call centre amid gloomy economic conditions
