Expedia hires Apple, Verizon execs as part of restructuring plan

Expedia Group is adding top executives from Apple and Verizon as part of an operational restructuring that also includes the departure of three current executives.

The company will now operate with “four key pillars”: Expedia Services, Expedia Brands, Expedia Marketplace and Expedia for Business.

Rathi Murthy joins as Expedia Group CTO and president of Expedia Services, which includes data and artificial intelligence, e-commerce, payments and customer experience. She previously held a similar position at Verizon.

Jon Gieselman, previously had of marketing at Apple, will be president of Expedia Brands, which will house the company’s “consumer-facing businesses and focus on bringing to life unique experiences customers love that connect the world through travel.” Jeff Hurt, previously president and co-lead of marketing, will become Expedia Brands COO and report to Gieselman.

“Today, we take an important next step in Expedia Group’s journey as we add two exceptional talents to our leadership team and simplify our organization for clarity and speed. Rathi and Jon represent the character of executives, depth and breadth of experience, and success in their respective fields we seek at our leadership table. Our chairman and I have complete confidence in what they will deliver, and we are excited to welcome them to the team,” says Peter Kern, vice chairman and CEO of Expedia Group.

John Kim, previously president of platform and marketplaces, will become president of Expedia Marketplace. And Ariane Gorin will move into the role of president of the newly formed Expedia for Business.

“As we move into four clearer operating divisions, the addition of Rathi and Jon and new roles for John and Ariane demonstrate our commitment to simplifying our business so we can be more agile and deliver innovative products faster. We set out last year with a clear mission: to power the entire travel ecosystem, and these positions fill the core skillsets we need to accelerate forward,” Kern says. 

Along with these changes, Expedia Group says three executives will leave the company in the coming months: Cyril Ranque, president, travel partners group; Adam Jay, president and co-lead, marketing; and Tucker Moodey, president, retail product and technology.