Raj Mohan, general manager for Gannett's social commerce business, reportedly has sent a memo to employees confirming the resignation of one of DealChicken's pioneers, Michelle Savoy.
Her LinkedIn profile still shows her at DealChicken, where she says she managed "the product development, roll out, sales and administration of this new venture."
Savoy's departure comes as the online coupon industry leader Groupon continues to struggle. Indeed, by the close of trading today, GRPN shares had plunged 7.2% to $4.82, well below the company's initial public offering price of $20 in November. Gannett launched DealChicken nationally in July 2011.
Hello Everyone,
Michelle Savoy, director of sales & field operations for DealChicken, has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Gannett. Today was her last day with us. Michelle has been instrumental in the creation of DealChicken and has given us an incredible foundation for the business, as we enter our next stage of growth. She will be missed and we wish Michelle the very best as she takes on her next challenge.
In interim, I will be assuming direct responsibility for Sales and Field Operations, while we define a long term plan for the business.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or your manager.
Best,
Raj
Savoy's departure comes as the online coupon industry leader Groupon continues to struggle. Indeed, by the close of trading today, GRPN shares had plunged 7.2% to $4.82, well below the company's initial public offering price of $20 in November. Gannett launched DealChicken nationally in July 2011.
Hello Everyone,
Michelle Savoy, director of sales & field operations for DealChicken, has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Gannett. Today was her last day with us. Michelle has been instrumental in the creation of DealChicken and has given us an incredible foundation for the business, as we enter our next stage of growth. She will be missed and we wish Michelle the very best as she takes on her next challenge.
In interim, I will be assuming direct responsibility for Sales and Field Operations, while we define a long term plan for the business.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or your manager.
Best,
Raj
good for her. in the long run, it will be a great move. she might not think that now, and maybe not later today, or even this evening...but when she wakes up tomorrow and looks back, she'll be glad she bailed.
ReplyDeleteHas she left to do a bit of traveling?l
ReplyDeleteWord has it she got the job of a lifetime with Clear Channel. Good for her.
ReplyDeleteThe only unit that should have to "define a long term plan for the business" because ONE PERSON leaves is mine, because I'm so freekin' awesome the place will fall apart when I go.
ReplyDeleteRevenue goals continue to not be met for this. Is there really any surprise that she jumped ship?
ReplyDeleteClear Channel = sweetjack.com
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sweetjack.com/pages/AboutUs
"With SweetJack’s recent partnership with Clear Channel Communications and the existing Cumulus stations, SweetJack will reach over 90 percent of the United States with more than 1400 radio stations by December 2012."
Sounds like she left the farm club to join the Big League.
Read between the lines. Whenever Gannett announces that someone left for a new opportunity it generally means they did not leave on good terms and they were asked to make an exit.
ReplyDeleteI wish more crystal palace types would leave to pursue interests outside the company. We could lose 100 from corporate and that many from Usa Today, easily.
ReplyDeleteShe did not send a goodbye memo or anything like that. She either was asked to leave or she left for a direct competitor to dealchicken.
ReplyDelete8:44 and 7:33 Corporate generally doesn't say good things about people if they ask for their resignation.
ReplyDeleteHere, however, the memo is complimentary. My reading of this is she left on her terms.
Jim offers a complementary stomach virus with any buffet meal at select restaurants.
ReplyDeleteRudd Davis didnt even get a goodbye note. Tells you how on good terms he was with drinking buddy Hunke.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of Hunke, no party?
Jim's right: Michelle left on her own terms to go to work for a competitor. That's why the announcement doesn't say where she's going. Gannett never says that. It's in the manual every Gannett executive has to memorize.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to know as to what this actually means for DealChicken. Was it really for a better opportunity? Or was it in desperation to jump a sinking ship?
ReplyDeleteRajan is out of his league. Michelle should have been his boss. I would love to hear the reactions of the deal chicken people who now have to report directly to him.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for the Deal Chicken folks. They bust their asses getting deals and they sell little to nothing. If I were that sales staff, I would be hunting for another job.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken rots from the head
ReplyDeleteRead this
ReplyDeletehttp://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/22/business/la-fi-daily-deals-20120922
This is the PROBLEM with DealChicken. Groupon are investing in other avenue's to combat the decline in plain old daily deals. DealChicken are not doing this kind of things.
I saw her packing her car at the curb and did not seem too upset. Wish her the best!
ReplyDeleteYou weren't upset, 11:22? Good for you!
ReplyDeleteWait -- you mean SHE wasn't upset. But you, like many here, can't write a 10-word sentence. Too bad for you.
Her linkedin profile states that she is now the Senior VP, Local Digital Sales for Clear Channel. Good for her!
ReplyDeleteNow, what the hell does this mean for the Chicken?
>> Now, what the hell does this mean for the Chicken?
ReplyDeleteNothing good, I suspect.
I've never understood the name "DealChicken." It conveys nothing. And the artwork is infantile. Two business model fails right out of the box. I'm surprised it's lasted this long!
ReplyDeleteNeither does "sweet jack" but it appears michelle thought that was at least better than dealchicken. Trust me, if it weren't for the reputation of the local affiliate, those sales reps would be shit out of luck closing deals.
ReplyDeleteMerchants and customers are tired of deals. It just becomes a hassle for both parties. That's why all of these online deals are showing up more than ever. No dealing with customers who are cheap and nasty to the wait staff, no owners who resent you coming in just to get a deal.
ReplyDeleteThe fad is over Gannett. Call it a day or make some serious changes to not copy what Groupin was doing a year and a half ago.
Groupon
Deleteshe is one of the more talented people in the business, great leader, and easy on the eyes to boot
ReplyDelete