In a further sign that HTC is still trying to turn its fortunes around, current CFO Chialin Chang is adding to his responsibilities. The company today announced that he has taken up the role of global head of sales. It had been previously held by Jason Mackenzie who returned to focus on North America earlier this year. Chang will also remain CFO “until the time a transition of responsibilities makes sense.”
The move shortly after CEO Peter Chou turned over some operational responsibilities to the company’s chairman and co-founder Cher Wang to focus on product development. The company also recently lost Lorain Wong, Vice President and head of Global PR, who had held the role for only four months.
HTC, once among the dominant smartphone players, has struggled of late and has slipped out of the top 10 according to Gartner. The HTC One on which the company banked so much hope failed to translate critical success into sales and the company has now recorded 25 consecutive months of declining year-over-year sales. It also posted a quarterly loss in it
In the most recent quarter, HTC posted its first-ever quarterly loss, while earlier this month it reported its 25th consecutive month of declining year-on-year sales. It also posted its first ever loss since going public in the last quarter.
HTC is expected to unveil its next flagship smartphone, codenamed HTC M8, in early 2014. Whether it and recent management changes are enough to turn HTC’s fortunes around will be a story we will be watching carefully next year.
Source : Reuters