google hires former siriusxm cpo/cto to lead its maps team
Google Appoints New Geo Team Leader
Approximately one year ago, Google announced shifts in its leadership structure. Prabhakar Raghavan, a Google employee since 2012, was appointed to oversee Search, Assistant, and Maps.
Recent reports indicate that Christopher Phillips, formerly the chief product and technology officer at SiriusXM, has been recruited to head Google’s geo team.
Responsibilities of the Geo Team
The geo team is responsible for the development and maintenance of key products including Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google Maps Platform – the company’s enterprise-focused offering.
Google has officially confirmed Phillips’ hiring, though further details were not disclosed.
Phillips’ Background and Experience
Phillips joined SiriusXM following their acquisition of Pandora last year.
Prior to that, he served as Pandora’s CPO and head of Technology for six years.
His career also includes leadership positions with Amazon Music (from 2012 to 2014), Workspeed, and Intuit.
Reporting Structure and Team Oversight
In his new position, Phillips will manage both the product and engineering divisions of the Geo team.
He will report directly to Prabhakar Raghavan, who retains oversight of Search, Assistant, Geo, Commerce, and Ads.
Previously, Jen Fitzpatrick held a comparable role for the Geo team before last year’s organizational changes.
Recent Geo Team Transitions
Following Fitzpatrick’s departure, Dane Glasgow and Liz Reid assumed leadership of the Geo team, as reported by Search Engine Land.
Glasgow has since moved to Facebook, and Reid has recently transitioned to lead Google’s search experiences.
This created an opening that Phillips is now positioned to fill.
Strategic Implications
Although Phillips’ background doesn’t include direct experience in geo product development, he possesses significant expertise in leading product-focused engineering teams.
His appointment arrives during a period of substantial updates and growing importance for Google Maps within Google’s overall product ecosystem.