SUNNYVALE, CA — Google’s Motorola Mobility has hired Adrienne Hayes for its top communications post reporting into the company’s CEO.

Hayes, formerly general manager of Edelman's consumer marketing practice, joined Motorola Mobility this week as SVP of global communications overseeing corporate, product, internal and executive communications, confirmed a source within Motorola.

The top comms post at Motorola had been vacant since December 2012 when Jennifer Erickson departed the company after nearly 15 years to join GE Transportation. Before joining, Hayes had been with Edelman for eight years in various senior positions. 

The reporting structure for Motorola’s head of comms has varied depending on the leadership team. Erickson reported into the CMO, whereas Hayes will report to CEO Dennis Woodside.

During the interim, Motorola’s three leads on product, corporate and internal/executive communications led the department, reporting into the CMO.

Google acquired Motorola Mobility in a $12.5bn deal in 2011. Earlier this year, the mobile company consolidated PR duties for several international markets under Weber Shandwick amid efforts to salvage its handset business.

In March, Motorola cut 10 percent of its workforce and faced a $271m loss in Q1 2013.