Chicago-based Groupon said in a statement that it hired Margo Georgiadis as its chief operating officer. Georgiadis most recently served as Google’s GOOG -0.12% vice president of global sales operations, where she “led the local and commerce businesses, working to extend services like Checkout, Google Places and product search,” according to Groupon.
Google Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora said in a statement: “I’m grateful for all that Margo has done for our team over the past two years. We will miss her, but we’re also very excited that she’s joining a terrific company and a great partner for Google.”
Separately, Google began making an early version of its online daily-discount service similar to Groupon available in certain markets, including the San Francisco Bay Area.
Google Offers promises 50% discounts on local goods and services via email. Other areas where users can sign up for Google’s service include New York and Portland, Ore. Google says it will “partner with some of the best local businesses in your area to bring you great deals at 50% off or more.”
Groupon rapidly has accumulated a large audience for its daily-deal emails, on everything from spa treatments to sushi. Google, which is increasingly focused on local search and services, reportedly sought to buy Groupon for as much as $6 billion last year.
A Google spokeswoman said in a statement that its Google Offers “is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new services that give consumers great deals, while helping connect businesses with customers in new ways.”
Closely held Groupon now has more than 7,000 employees, and is expected to undertake an initial public offering of shares later this year.
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