HTC announced a big change this morning, as its Board of Directors has named Cher Wang, Chairman and co-founder of the company, as its new CEO, effective immediately.
Cher was on stage during the One M9 unveiling, and she spoke briefly about the impact HTC is having on the wireless industry. She dreams big, and has been voted one of the most, if not the most powerful woman in wireless.
As for long-time CEO Peter Chou, he is to head up the new HTC Future Development Lab, which will focus on product development. As stated in the press release, “In his new executive role as Head of HTC Future Development Lab, Mr. Chou will be instrumental in identifying future growth opportunities for the Company.”
Wang also gave a statement in the press release about focusing on recognizing the rapid changes in the wireless industry, the importance of connected technologies such as Vive (HTC’s VR headset), and that she is excited about the opportunity.
With this latest move, 2015 should be one interesting year for HTC.
Do you think this was a good play? Let us know down below.
HTC APPOINTS CHER WANG AS CEO
Peter Chou to head up new HTC Future Development Lab
Taipei, March 20, 2015 – The Board of Directors of HTC Corporation (TWSE 2498) has named Cher Wang, Chairman and co-founder of HTC, as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Peter Chou will transition to a strategic new role leading future product innovation.
“We are seeing rapid changes in the industry, with the smartphone as our personal hub connecting us to a growing world of smart devices. We pioneered the smartphone industry; now we are applying that thinking to realize the potential of a new generation of connected products and services. The overwhelming response that our virtual reality product, HTC Vive, received earlier this month underlines the importance of these new connected technologies for our future,” said Cher Wang, Chairman and CEO, HTC. “As an entrepreneur at heart, I am excited to see so many new opportunities, and I am honoured to accept this opportunity to help shape the next stage of HTC’s development.”
Over the last two years, Ms. Wang had been increasingly involved in the running of various aspects of the business, to allow Mr. Chou to focus on product development, a role in which he has demonstrated world-class design and cutting-edge technology expertise. The Board of Directors and executive team agreed that it was now appropriate to formalize that progression and make the organizational changes necessary to enable HTC to proceed to the next stage of its development.
In his time as CEO, Peter Chou oversaw the successful transition of HTC from a handheld device ODM to a global branded company. In his new executive role as Head of HTC Future Development Lab, Mr. Chou will be instrumental in identifying future growth opportunities for the Company.
About Cher Wang, Chairman and CEO
Cher Wang has an enviable track record in the electronics industry. Her strategic insight into technology trends and entrepreneurship has enabled her to establish a number of highly successful IT-related businesses.
In 1997, Ms. Wang co-founded HTC Corp. to make the convergence of mobile computing and communications a reality through the development of innovative smartphones. This vision has translated into a multi-billion dollar global company that has consistently been first to market with new technologies, including new wireless generations and the touch interface, and devices for Microsoft® Windows Mobile and Android operating systems.
Last year, Ms. Wang was named of the 25 people CNBC judged to have had the most profound impact on business and finance since 1989. In 2011, Ms. Wang was named ‘the most powerful woman in wireless’ by Forbes and one of the most influential women by Fast Company, and she has been ranked on Fortune’s annual ‘most powerful women’ list continuously since 2012. She was also awarded ‘Person of the Year’ by CCTV in China. Ms. Wang graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and is married with two children.
He’s the reason why HTC fell from grace. Quietly Brilliant, Loudly Failure
Chou going to product innovation…… Yet he got removed because he wouldn’t change phones… Makes perfect sense.
Wow! She looks so different since Moonstruck.
Cher, call me, we’ll do lunch.
Chou is even MORE involved in phone/product development. CHOU MUST GO.
This is a surer sign than most that HTC is in some serious trouble–Companies usually only make a woman the CEO when they’re going down in flames and need a future scapegoat…
No New Blood = Bad
So they putting the person with no real vision into products or anything really as head of future development lab. I think the board needs to fire themselves. Cher was on board for the M9 as she was instrumental in the company’s decisions. Hmmmm Hmmmmm Hmmmmm
they could use a better headshot photographer….
She looks like she is trying to crap herself.
I wonder how long this legacy will last. I’m thinking HP and Carly level.
Looks like they are going to throw all there focus into VR from now on and make the mobile stuff secondary.
I hope she doesn’t mess with the marketing arm of HTC – that’s all they’ve got going for them and the only thing keeping them afloat.
You forgot “/s”
Figured it was obvious 🙂
Too bad Chou is still hanging around
Cher Wang is getting big.
*GROAAANNN* *Applause* *Shame*
Seems like musical chairs. Maybe they will get rid of the black bar, but maybe not.
These means Sprint is getting a new CEO as well pretty soon
I’m sorry… But she’s got to be a swinger with a name like S̶h̶a̶r̶e̶ Cher Wang…
the fact that Chou is still there…
It’s like Sanjay, they did good for a time, but then they screwed it up later. Like that Harvey Dent quote….
Sanjay only made two good decisions during his entire time at Moto. 1) Go with Android. 2) Build the OG Droid.