Yahoo! has shut down its Yahoo Mail services in China, after a four-month warning to users to shift their mails to alternative services such as Alibaba run Aliyun email Tencent’s QQ Mail or Netease’s 163 Mail.In a move showing change of focus, the firm has today appointed Dawn Airey as senior vice president of the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operation. Airey will report to COO Henrique de Castro.
According to de Castro, “Dawn is well known for her visionary thinking, operational discipline and leadership skills, and I can’t wait to work with her as we position Yahoo! for growth throughout the EMEA region.”
“Together with Dawn’s direction and energy, I’m confident that the future is bright for Yahoo! in EMEA,” de Castro added.
Airey has worked in television for 30 years and has held senior positions in the majority of the commercial broadcasters in the UK. Most recently, she was President of a unit of RTL Group. She joined in September 2010 from the Broadcaster Five where, as Chairman and CEO, she oversaw all operations. Previously she was Managing Director of Global Content at ITV where she oversaw its UK and International production and content businesses. Prior to that she was Managing Director, Channels & Services, at BSkyB. She has also held senior posts at Channel 4.
Airey was awarded a fellowship by the Royal Television Society (RTS) in June 1998. She is a Vice President of the RTS, a member of the Board of the British Library, a non-executive Director of Thomas Cook PLC and Chair of the Grierson Trust. In December 2011, Airey was appointed Chair of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.
Dawn joins Yahoo! during an exciting renaissance led by CEO Marissa Mayer. Dawn will be at the helm of driving change, innovation and growth for the EMEA region.”
She replaces Christophe Parcot, who has served as Yahoo!’s interim lead of EMEA from November 1. Parcot will take on a new role with Yahoo!