Big Changes in Google's Sales Department

Earlier this year, Google laid off about 200 employees in the sales and marketing department. Head of Sales, Tim Armstrong also reports:

One change, according to Google spokesman Matt Furman, creates a new position of vice president of agency and industry relations, an apparent attempt to streamline and bolster its relations with agencies who control spending from big brands. The job is being filled by long-time Google executive Penry Price, who is being promoted from his previous job of vice president of sales for North America.

The company is also simplifying the complex matrix of sales reps that reported up through Price in the past. Previously, sales executives were organized by regions — East, West and Central — by what industry of advertisers they catered to, such as healthcare and finance. Google said it would abolish those regional distinctions and organize exclusively by industry.

Other positions include:

- John McAteer - retail and technology spending

- Jim Lecinski - CPG, B2B, Local, and Healthcare

- Bonita Stewart - Automotive, Financial Services, Media and Entertainment, and Travel.

Of course, Nikesh Arora recently took over global operations and sales, and Dennis Woodside became the company's new vice president for the Americas.