Yahoo Defector Marc Grabowski Joins Facebook Developer

Former key salesman lands at Nanigans By Christopher Heine

Marc Grabowski, who left Yahoo shortly after the Internet company brought Google vet Marissa Mayer on as CEO, is the new COO at Nanigans, a Facebook advertising software firm with offices in Boston and San Francisco. Grabowski was a key Yahoo salesmen for nine years with the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company—most recently vp of media sales—before departing along with top exec Ross Levinsohn on July 30.

While speaking with Adweek this morning, though, Grabowski was adamant that his move had nothing to do with Yahoo naming Mayer chief exec instead of Levinsohn, suggesting he had been in talks with Nanigans well before the decision.

"I had no intention of leaving Yahoo," he said. "I hadn't seen anyone else doing what [Nanigans is] doing in the lifetime value space whether it's on social or any kind of online media. I made this decision as a proactive move for my career."

His new employer offers software to help manage Facebook ad campaigns, servicing clients in gaming and retail niches. Despite what's been a challenging few post-IPO months for Menlo Park, Calif.-based Facebook, Grabowski said he thinks brands still want to increase their presence on the social platform. While he'll be based out of Nanigans' Boston location, the sales vet isn't wasting any time in investigating the brand's global options. 

"At 2 p.m. today, I'm heading out to London and Barcelona, as Europe is a huge footprint for the company and I think for the space," Grabowski said. "There's huge opportunities in the U.S. and Europe right now. The social and mobile spaces are growing."

Nanigans announced his hiring this morning. “Marc understands all facets of online advertising, from sophisticated optimization techniques to the strategic opportunity that social advertising presents to businesses. We’re excited to have an online media veteran like Marc join our team during this time of high growth," Nanigans CEO Ric Calvillo said in a statement.

The Grabowski hiring comes one day after Parade Publications poached Yahoo's svp of North American sales, Wayne Powers, who will become president and group publisher.

About the Author

Christopher Heine is a staff writer for Adweek. Follow

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