A top Google Inc. (GOOG) executive is stepping into the role of a lifetime: chairman and CEO of dial-up provider AOL Inc.
At first blush, the move seems a curious one for Tim Armstrong, Google’s senior vice president. That is, until you consider that he’s an advertising whiz and AOL has been trying to capitalize on online advertising, as Google has done with much success.
Armstrong replaces Randy Falco, who, along with AOL President and COO Ron Grant, is leaving the company. Together, Falco and Grant oversaw several executive departures and thousands of job cuts.
AOL is owned by media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. (TWX). For a while, pundits and observers thought Time Warner would sell AOL – EarthLink Inc. (ELNK) was considered the standout prospective buyer. Its latest earnings report, however, dampened those hopes.
