Microsoft’s consumer marketing chief Yusuf Mehdi to depart in 2027

Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer at Microsoft, has announced his departure from the company, concluding a 35-year career that has spanned some of the technology sector’s most significant product launches. In an internal memo circulated on Thursday, Mehdi confirmed he will leave Microsoft in 2027, citing a desire to ensure the team and its mission are set up for continued success during a critical period for the firm.

Mehdi’s tenure began in the 1990s as an intern, where he contributed to the launch of Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, as well as the marketing for Internet Explorer. Over the decades, he spent more than 10 years leading the company’s search and online businesses, assisting with the launch of Bing, before playing a pivotal role in the release of the Xbox One, Windows 10, and Copilot Plus PCs. He has frequently served as the public face of Microsoft’s consumer marketing efforts in recent years.

Until his departure next year, Mehdi will remain focused on marketing for Windows, Copilot for consumers, and the Microsoft 365 consumer business. He is currently working with chief executive Satya Nadella and chief marketing officer Takeshi Numoto to develop a transition plan. Microsoft has not yet named a successor for Mehdi’s role, leaving the leadership structure for consumer marketing in flux as the company navigates what Mehdi described as one of the most profound platform transitions yet: artificial intelligence.

The announcement marks the latest in a series of departures among Microsoft’s veteran leadership. In March, Rajesh Jha, former executive vice president of the experiences and devices group, announced his retirement after more than 35 years at the company. Jha’s exit has contributed to a flattening of Microsoft’s upper management structure for key product groups, including Windows, Office, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, signalling a broader shift in the company’s executive hierarchy.

Reflecting on his time at the firm, Mehdi noted in his memo that he had been privileged to witness consequential shifts in technology, from the rise of the early Internet to gaming and devices. He described Microsoft as more than a workplace, calling it the canvas for his life’s work, while acknowledging the excitement and difficulty of the decision as the company moves forward into its next phase of growth.