Microsoft’s top marketer out in reshuffle

Microsoft’s recently appointed CEO Satya Nadella is reportedly about to embark on a major senior management reshuffle that will see the exit of its top marketer Tami Reller.

Microsoft Surface
Microsoft’s new CEO is reportedly embarking on a major senior management reshuffle that will see the exit of the company’s top marketer Tami Reller.

Reller, currently EVP of marketing is set to be leaving the company alongside EVP of business development and evangelism and the former head of its Skype division Tony Bates, according to a report from technology website Re/code.

It is understood Microsoft marketing veteran and current corporate vice president of its consumer channels group Chris Capossela will step in to replace Reller, while EVP of advanced strategy Eric Rudder will take up Bates’ responsibilities on a temporary basis.

Caposela will also take on additional advertising responsibilities, which means the duties of Mark Penn – the former Clinton aide and currently EVP of advertising and strategy for Microsoft – will be focused on strategy only as he moves into the new role of EVP of strategy.

The Re/code report suggests both Reller and Bates’ departures were not unexpected, but the former  – who has previously served as Microsoft’s CMO and CFO for its Windows Unit – will stay on for a short while to help with the transition. Both executives had only just moved into their roles in July last year as part of former CEO Steve Ballmer’s reorganisation of the company as part of its “One Microsoft” strategy. 

A Microsoft spokesman told Marketing Week: “We do not comment on rumours and speculation.”

Microsoft appointed Satya Nadella – a 22-year company veteran – into the CEO position last month. In an email to staff following his appointment, Nadella hinted that connected devices, cloud computing, insights from big data and intelligence from machine learning will be key to Microsoft’s success over the next decade. 

Recommended

Ruth Mortimer

Paddy Power’s ‘mischief’ strategy with Pistorius ad is a misjudgement

Ruth Mortimer

Advertising designed to shock has always existed. It even has its own name – “Shockvertising”. But the last few years have seen a decline in such marketing, due to research showing that giving consumers a positive “nudge” is more effective in encouraging behaviour change. But it seems shockvertising is back. Paddy Power, Save the Children […]