Yahoo Media exec departs

Yahoo has named a former MSN executive to head its media operations, as its former media executive Scott Moore exits.

Jeff Dossett, former MSN Media Network executive producer and general manager, has joined Yahoo as senior vice president of U.S. Audience. He will oversee the company's media properties from Yahoo Finance to Yahoo News, the company said Monday.

Dossett, who will report to Hilary Schneider, executive vice president of Yahoo U.S., is replacing Scott Moore, also a former MSN executive.

Moore, who joined Yahoo back in 2005 after serving as general manager of MSNBC.com, is leaving to "pursue other opportunities," according to Yahoo.

Schneider, in a statement, said:

I would also like to thank Scott for his leadership over the past few years. Yahoo enjoys an extraordinary market position across nearly every category in which we compete and Scott has been an important leader in building this success.

Moore is the latest executive to leave Yahoo's ranks, as the company struggles to gain market share in search advertising and improve its operations.

In selecting Dossett, Schneider, in a statement, said:

Jeff is one of the country's most experienced online media executives, and I'm confident he is well-suited to lead Yahoo's audience business to even greater heights.

His understanding of consumer needs and high-quality premium programming will help ensure that we continue with Yahoo's reputation of inspiring audiences and attracting marketer dollars.

Marketing dollars have clearly taken a hit in this current economic malaise. Yahoo, for example, announced it would cut 1,430 positions when it reported its third-quarter results last month, in which display advertising showed some weakness and the company lowered its revenue forecast for the year.