Should DirecTV really have chosen former PepsiCo employee Michael White?
DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV) said Wednesday it will tap PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) executive Michael D. White as its new president and chief executive, bringing in an outsider to lead the company as it looks to sustain its momentum in the pay-TV business. The El Segundo, Calif., company will draw upon White’s consumer retailing background, as well as his experience in striking multi-billion-dollar deals, to lead the company through increasingly competitive waters. White, 57, previously announced his retirement, but will take the reins of DirecTV on Jan. 1. “I look forward to working with the talented management team and employees as we continue to grow the business, delight the customer and further distance DirecTV’s leadership position,” White said in a statement. White, who was once considered a potential successor to lead Pepsi, led negotiations for the beverage giant’s $7.8 billion acquisition of its two biggest independent bottlers. That experience will come in handy as DirecTV prepares to me
DirecTV Group Inc. chose the vice chairman of PepsiCo Inc. as its chief executive Wednesday, filling a vacuum created when its former chief left just as the nation’s largest satellite TV provider was in the midst of a spinoff. Michael White, 57, will take the CEO position on Jan. 1. He replaces Chase Carey, who left to become News Corp.’s president and chief operating officer on July 1. White, who is now also chief executive of PepsiCo International, was scheduled to retire from his positions at PepsiCo this year. He joined PepsiCo in 1990 and has held various management positions, including chief financial officer. White was involved in various acquisitions at PepsiCo, including those of the company’s two largest bottlers — Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas. White’s appointment came a day before Liberty Media Corp., the controlling shareholder of DirecTV, was to hold a special shareholders meeting to vote on spinning off DirecTV and certain entertainment assets owned by Liberty i
DirecTV Group Inc. chose the vice chairman of PepsiCo Inc. as its chief executive Wednesday, filling a vacuum created when its former chief left just as the nation’s largest satellite TV provider was in the midst of a spinoff. Michael White, 57, will take the CEO position on Jan. 1. He replaces Chase Carey, who left to become News Corp.’s president and chief operating officer on July 1. White, who is now also chief executive of PepsiCo International, was scheduled to retire from his positions at PepsiCo this year. He joined PepsiCo in 1990 and has held various management positions, including chief financial officer. White was involved in various acquisitions at PepsiCo, including those of the company’s two largest bottlers — Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas. White’s appointment came a day before Liberty Media Corp., the controlling shareholder of DirecTV, was to hold a special shareholders meeting to vote on spinning off DirecTV and certain entertainment assets owned by Liberty i
