Google Wallet shakeup: Head of consumer payments Gupta resigns

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) head of consumer payments Vikas Gupta has resigned his post, the second high-profile management move within the Google Wallet m-commerce unit within the past week.

Gupta was previously founder and CEO of Jambool, the currency and payment solutions provider acquired by Google for $55 million. Prior to his exit, Gupta was a leader on Google's payments team, supervising the Wallet effort and reporting to vice president of payments Osama Bedier, AllThingsD reports.

Days earlier, Google vice president of commerce Stephanie Tilenius, another key exec spearheading the Google Wallet initiative, transitioned to a new role overseeing the company's international commerce efforts. Bedier is assuming a larger role within Google Wallet in response, although his title will not change. A Google spokesperson declined to comment on whether the Google Wallet division is undergoing a wider restructuring, AllThingsD adds.

The Near Field Communications-based Google Wallet enables consumers to make purchases and collect or redeem offers by tapping their Android smartphone at 300,000-plus MasterCard PayPass-enabled merchant terminals. In addition to partnerships with merchants including American Eagle Outfitters, The Container Store, Foot Locker, Guess, Jamba Juice, Macy's, OfficeMax and Toys"R"Us, Google is teaming with the state of New Jersey to enable tap-and-pay rail and bus transit purchases at select locations.

Google Wallet does face significant challenges. The service is currently limited to Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) Nexus S smartphones running Android OS version 2.3.4. In addition, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) is shipping the Android-powered Galaxy Nexus smartphone without preloading Google Wallet; Verizon, AT&T (NYSE:T) and T-Mobile USA are launching their own nationwide m-commerce platform, Isis, later this year.

For more:
- read this AllThingsD article

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