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Report: Head of Verizon's AOL, Yahoo in talks to depart

07 of September 2018

FILE- In this Dec. 3, 2014, file photo AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is interviewed during "Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo," on the Fox Business Network, in New York. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Armstrong is in talks with parent company Verizon to depart. Armstrong has been leading Verizon’s media and advertising business, called Oath which incorporates digital media properties AOL and Yahoo. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File),FILE- In this Dec. 3, 2014, file photo AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is interviewed during "Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo," on the Fox Business Network, in New York. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Armstrong is in talks with parent company Verizon to depart. Armstrong has been leading Verizon’s media and advertising business, called Oath which incorporates digital media properties AOL and Yahoo. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Verizon’s media and advertising chief, Tim Armstrong, is in talks to leave.

Armstrong came to Verizon as part of its purchase of AOL in 2015 and began overseeing Yahoo as well after Verizon bought it in 2017. He was tasked with growing Verizon’s ad business in a challenge to Facebook and Google, but that business has been struggling and remains one of Verizon’s less profitable divisions.

Armstrong was one of Google’s early employees and was key to developing its digital ad business before moving to AOL in 2009.

The Journal report cites unnamed people familiar with the talks. Verizon spokesman Bob Varettoni says Verizon doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation.

Telecoms have been buying content makers to diversify as the wireless industry slows.