Marketing Exec Departs HP, Heads to Apple

A week after HP ousted its Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina, the company's senior VP of corporate marketing is saying goodbye.

Allison Johnson

Allison Johnson will leave HP on Friday and return to Apple as VP-worldwide marketing communications, both companies said. The move is not related to Fiorina's departure, according to an Associated Press report, though published reports described Johnson as Fiorina's "chief of staff."

Johnson joined HP in January 1999 after working as director of corporate communications for IBM and Netscape. She has held marketing and communications positions with Apple Computer, Wells Fargo Bank and Chemical Banking Corp.

According to Apple, Johnson will report directly to CEO Steve Jobs, and will focus on Apple's advertising and marketing communications around the world.

Meanwhile, HP has disclosed that Fiorina's severance package of pay and stocks will equal about $45 million.