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Microsoft nicks another Yahoo exec
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Microsoft has hired another former Yahoo search executive to lead its online push.
Qi Lu is to be president of Redmond's Online Services Group and will be responsible for Microsoft's Web-based programs and services, including search and online advertising. The job became free when Kevin Johnson, the man behind Microsoft's bid to buy Yahoo, left Microsoft. The man tipped to succeed Johnson, former aQuantive chief Brian McAndrews, is leaving the company, meaning Microsoft had to look elsewhere.
Lu worked for Yahoo for a decade and was in charge of "Project Panama ," that has helped Yahoo reap more money from the ads running alongside its search results.
More than 100 Yahoo executives have left since January 2007, exasperated with the perceived bungling of the Sunnyvale , California , company's leaders. Lu left Yahoo in August, shortly after the company teamed up with Google to show some of the ads next to its search results.
It looks like it is cheaper for Microsoft to buy Yahoo expertise without having to buy the company.