Microsoft Moves Communications Under Brad Smith
The communications group is shifting from marketing to Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs organisation as Frank Shaw prepares to leave later this year.
Microsoft is moving its communications group out of marketing and into its Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs organisation, with vice chair and president Brad Smith overseeing the function.
Chief executive Satya Nadella announced the changes in an internal memo, according to The Verge. Brent Colburn, vice-president of global public affairs, will serve as interim communications leader while Microsoft considers internal and external candidates to replace chief communications officer Frank Shaw.
Shaw is leaving later this year. Nadella’s memo credited him with more than 17 years of contributions to Microsoft and said he would advise Smith and Colburn during the transition. The report says Shaw had announced his departure earlier this month after nearly three decades supporting the company’s communications.
Nadella said Microsoft wants engineers, sellers, partners and others close to its products and customers to play a larger role in telling the company’s story. The communications leadership team will report to Colburn during the transition.
Smith is already a prominent public representative of Microsoft on policy and corporate matters. The company has not named Shaw’s permanent successor or specified his departure date.
