Nokia shuffles the deck, realigns the kings and queens

Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 by Matthew Miller

3 Comments » File Under:News;

Nokia issued a press release today announcing a simplified organization structure designed to speed up the execution and innovation of the company. While I do appreciate the organizational changes from a writer’s perspective (it will be easier to describe who does what) I hope this actually has some influence on Nokia’s responsiveness in the mobile market. They are a large organization and as we have seen with companies like Microsoft and RIM, they can be slow to respond to changes in the fast moving mobile space.

Nokia’s devices and services business will now be composed of the Mobile Solutions, Mobile Phones, and Markets groups, effective 1 July 2010. Here is how the press release defines each unit:

The new Mobile Solutions unit will concentrate on the company’s high-end mobile computer and smartphone portfolio. Based on both the MeeGo and Symbian software platforms respectively, these devices will be tightly integrated with Nokia’s Internet services to increase the combined value for consumers. The group will be headed by Anssi Vanjoki and be comprised of MeeGo Computers, led by Alberto Torres, and Symbian Smartphones, led by Jo Harlow

The renewed Mobile Phones unit will focus on maintaining Nokia’s leadership in the feature-rich mobile phone market and driving the direction of Series 40, the world’s largest mobile operating system. Both the Mobile Solutions and Mobile Phones units will have dedicated portfolio management, including product planning, R&D and dedicated software assets. Tero Ojanpera will run this unit and develop Ovi as an integrated service while leading development and deployment of new services.

Markets will be responsible for Nokia’s ‘go-to-market’ activities, including sales and marketing, management of Nokia’s global supply chains and sourcing operations. Headed by Mary McDowell, the Mobile Phones unit will work closely with Services to add value to lower-end devices through offerings such as Ovi Life Tools, Ovi Mail, Ovi Store and Nokia Money.

There were a few other organizational changes that you can read about in the press release. Let’s hope this reorganization has a positive effect on Nokia.