CEO Shalet quits Buongiorno UK

Shalet's move, which will see him leave the firm today, follows the recent decision of online content firm Vitaminic's UK MD Bruno Heese to resign following January's announcement that the two European companies are to merge.

In an email sent to the firm's customers and partners this morning, Shalet said Burton Katz and Dominic Collins would take over his position as their main point of contact.

He said: "I am leaving Messagizer/Buongiorno UK. Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to work with you in delivering innovative push marketing solutions to support your business needs, it has never for one moment been dull!"

But in an interview he refused to comment on whether more control of the firm was being handed back to its Italian corporate headquarters.

The UK division, which formerly had its own distinct brand Messagizer, announced last month that it was being renamed as Buongiorno UK as part of the decision of its parent to reintegrate its regional marketing activities.

Buongiorno and Vitaminic are also planning to restructure their European operations to cut costs and combine their respective content distribution and development operations to target 3G and broadband operators, with the impact of the consolidation also likely to hit the UK.

The two companies hope to create a joint entity with sales of between EU52m and EU56m and to hit underlying profitability by the end of the year.

Pointing to supply deals won with Hutchison 3G, Sky, Tiscali and Lycos, Shalet said: "I've worked night and day for two years and it's time for a rest, to take some time off and review my options." He said he had made the decision "some weeks ago".

As reported earlier this month, Vitaminic's UK MD Bruno Heese also resigned recently, saying: "I have reached a point where it makes sense for me personally to seek growth opportunities outside the group."

14 February 2003:

4 February 2003:

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"www.vitaminic.com ":http://www.vitaminic.com

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