Articles tagged “barry diller”

Jackpot.

Regarding this particular shareholder proposal on increased transparency about political contributions, the stockholder who mattered the most was Barry Diller. But if the political winds in the U.S. are indeed changing, then corporations may find themselves under increased pressure to be transparent and to do the right thing.

Barry Diller let it rip on Sunday in a wide-ranging interview on the pandemic, calling President Trump a "witch doctor" for his coronavirus treatment recommendations. Whether the subject is Trump or regulation of Google, Diller hasn't been shy about speaking his mind.

Barry Diller's alleged right to retake control of Expedia Group, after wielding such power for 14 years, is under attack. At the least, the court-ordered delay in allowing him to exercise such rights could cost the Expedia chairman a ton of money.

Diller and Kern are taking an ax, as promised, to Expedia Group's payroll. This could be just the first round, and the thinking might be: Why sell to private equity, have those folks squeeze out the cost savings, and reshape the business when we can do it ourselves?

The straight talk from Diller and Kern will likely delight Wall Street and rankle former management and current employees. Employees will have to buy into the new vision if there's any hope it will become reality.

It increasingly looks like what we expected will happen will come true: Chairman Barry Diller is likely to make Expedia Group's acting boss Peter Kern the permanent CEO. It's very probable, too, that Diller is shopping the online agency giant to potential buyers. But who would buy?

When you consider Mark Okerstrom's performance, which will lead to a golden parachute substantially less than what might have been, he can take a bunch of blame — but not for everything. The integration of the Vrbo acquisition was clearly messed up, as was the reorganization. Conversely, he inherited a very tough competitive environment.

Expedia Group Chairman Barry Diller flew to Seattle to rally the troops. His message to all the employees around the world was, in essence, the sun will rise tomorrow at the travel giant. Impatient investors aren't quite as sure.

The strategy and vision for the next stage in Expedia Group's life should include sharp departures from the status quo, but rest assured that the company line for the time being will be stability to keep the peace.