Uber lays off 400 employees from global marketing team

The Associated Press

5 years ago

FILE - This June 21, 2017, file photo shows the building that houses the headquarters of Uber, ... — FILE – This June 21, 2017, file photo shows the building that houses the headquarters of Uber, in San Francisco. Uber is laying off 400 employees in marketing, about a quarter of the marketing team’s global workforce of 1,200 people. The move, announced Monday, July 29, 2019, follows a leadership shake-up in June when CEO Dara Khosrowshahi combined the company’s marketing, communications and policy teams. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

NEW YORK — Uber is laying off 400 employees in marketing, about a quarter of the marketing team’s global workforce of 1,200 people.

The move, announced Monday, follows a leadership shake-up in June when CEO Dara Khosrowshahi combined the company’s marketing, communications and policy teams.

The ride-hailing company has struggled to prove it can become profitable and its stock has traded mostly below its IPO price since its debut in May. Uber has blamed its losses partly on its costly promotions to attract riders and drivers. Those promotions are crafted by its marketing department.

Khosrowshahi installed Jill Hazelbaker to lead up marketing and public affairs in June. On Monday they announced a more centralized structure for marketing and said they want to build a consistent brand narrative across audiences, products and regions.