SS eBay CEO Search has hit an iceberg

eCommerce
Written By Rick Watson

THE GOOD SHIP 🚢 SS EBAY CEO SEARCH" HAS HIT AN ICEBERG.

IT’S LIKE WATCHING A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE.

There is a new fight between the Board-influenced activist investors and the Board itself over the direction of the placement. Oh, did you forget?! eBay marketplace still has no CEO since the end of September 2019.

Remember when I said it would be trouble if a new CEO isn't chosen by Q2? Rapidly approaching.

What's new? Starboard Value is nominating four new Directors to the Board and throwing cold water on the current CEO search process, citing specifically:

"Given our concern over certain historical decisions, we worry that the board may default to an internal candidate," Starboard wrote.

This sounds like an activist investor who has been briefed on the eBay CEO search in a recent Board meeting or discussion. They are not generically worried. They know something, and even if they don't, they are using media signaling to steer the process from the back seat.

This does make it incrementally more likely an outsider is chosen because it signals the activist investor's Board votes. They will not stop until they get their way.

I was recently quoted in an article in the Silicon Valley Business Journal giving advice to the new CEO. Now I wonder who wants this kind of headache? Who wants the job again, anyway? Bueller?

Rick Watson

Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes.

Watson’s work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.

Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.

In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/
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