Published via T: 2013-12-18 21:00:16
Rosati will continue as the CEO of the combined company, with Swart stepping back as a strategic advisor, a move he claims he was already contemplating independent of the merger. ODesk Executive Chairman Thomas Layton will retain that role and title within the combined company. The name of the combined company has not been revealed, and will not be announced until the deal clears antitrust scrutiny – something which Rosati says he doesn’t foresee being an issue. This NewCo will continue to operate both the oDesk and Elance platforms in parallel, and Rosati plans to engage the customers of both companies with the hopes of identifying what attributes make each platform unique, and what they want added or changed in the future.
My Two Cents
I listened to Gary Swart, CEO of oDesk speak here in LA a few months back. Gary Swart was a very impressive guy with a powerful track record of success. If Swart is taking a step back to serve as a Strategic Advisor, then the combination of oDesk and Elance is worse off. Gary Swart is one of the true gems in terms of executive leadership. Swart's loss will be felt.
