Just 3 weeks ago, HP (HPQ) EVP Todd Bradley was at a Fortune Conference in Aspen talking about the “ubiquity” of WebOS. He was optimistic about signing several distribution deals to take the mobile OS worldwide and beef up its marketshare.
A lot has changed since then.
Todd’s boss – Leo Apotheker – has other ideas. As of yeseterday’s earnings call, HP has now turned its back on WebOS and Todd’s entire division PSG, which stands for Personal Systems Group. That division — which might as well be renamed Compaq — will be spun-out from the rumbling, bumbling, stumbling mother ship.
It’s quite a comedown for Bradley.
The former CEO of Palm and head of distribution at the cow-themed Gateway was rumored to be the top insider candidate to get Mark Hurd’s job. But the HP board — probably the worst board in Corporate American for 10 years running — decided to go for Leo.
Bradley was a buddy of Mark Hurd’s, so he was on thin ice as soon as Leo arrived.
Odds are he’s out of HP before Labor Day. Why stay?
The Palm acquisition was his baby really. My guess is he joins up with Silver Lake or some similiar PE firm before Halloween.
To read part 2 of the Forbes article, click here.
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