Vodafone NZ general manager of networks and strategy Mike Davies has resigned.Mr Davies has been most recently in the news for his bid (including his BBQ talking points memo to Vodafone staff) to promote his company's network as more robust than XT. His e
Vodafone NZ general manager of networks and strategy Mike Davies has resigned.
Mr Davies has been most recently in the news for his bid (including his BBQ talking points memo to Vodafone staff) to promote his company's network as more robust than XT. His explanatory efforts around the RNC debate proved particularly successful.
“Mike's off in a few months. He's been with us for years and just felt the time is right for a change,” said head of corporate communications Paul Brislen.
After the Christmas break, chief marketing officer Mark Rushworth quit, hit by an apparent attack of surfing-related existential angst - only to pop up at Pacific Fibre (“Rod [Dury, Pacific Fibre co-founder] read I was on the beach,” Mr Rushworth told NBR).
Vodafone NZ chief executive Russell Stanners took over temporary direct control of marketing, where he is “dividing his time with Aaron Beckman who is handling some of the day-to-day CMO role,” said Mr Brislen.
The hunt to replace Mr Rushworth continues.
In October, a trio of senior managers resigned.
Head of corporate communications Alison Sykora left to start her own business. Ms Sykora was replaced by Mr Brislen through an internal promotion.
Head of industry affairs David Stone left to become chief executive of the Telecommunications Carriers Forum. Vodafone is still recruiting to replace Mr Stone.
And regulatory affairs manager Richard York (who formerly worked on the gate-keeper side of the fence that the ACCC - Australia's equivalent to our Commerce Commission) quit to head back across the Tasman.
Mr York was replaced by Hayden Glass, who moved across from the company’s marketing team, where he worked as a strategist.
Mr Glass held a public policy role at Vodafone before his recent stint in the company’s marketing division.
One industry rumour blamed an internal spat over mobile termination rates for the Sykora, York and Stone's departure. Mr Brislen rubbished the claim.
