The numbers usually command the headlines from companies’ quarterly earnings releases. Not this time.
Google did indeed turn in a strong fourth quarter, with revenues in the final period of 2010 spiking 26 percent over the same period in 2009.
But casting a long shadow over the company’s financial performance was the bombshell announcement that after a decade at the helm, CEO Eric Schmidt is stepping aside, with co-founder Larry Page set to take the top spot April 4.
Sergey Brin, the other co-founder, will no longer carry the title of president and begin to focus primarily on new product development.
Schmidt, meanwhile, will concentrate on external affairs, including deals, partnerships and government outreach. Datamation has the story.