February 4th, 2008
Vista marketing chief to bid Microsoft adieu
Michael Sievert, Corporate Vice President for Windows Product Marketing, is moving on, according to multiple sources of mine.
It’s hard to make the case that Sievert, who was responsible for the worldwide introduction of Windows Vista, isn’t being pushed for the less-than-enthusiastic public perception of Microsoft’s latest version of Windows. Even though Microsoft has moved 100-million-plus copies of Vista, many consumers and businesses still consider the new release buggy, sluggish and incompatible with existing software and drivers.
Sievert has been with Microsoft for three years. Before joining Microsoft, Sievert was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at AT&T Wireless. Word is his departure will be announced officially in another few weeks.
I asked Microsoft for comment on Sievert’s alleged departure and received neither a firm confirmation nor denial. (The team was a little busy today with its Vista Service Pack 1 release-to-manufacturing announcement.) I also asked Sievert for comment heard nothing back.
One could make a case that Sievert is leaving under his own power, however. Sievert is departing at the same time that Microsoft is conducting its usual early-year reorg, which — this year — has coincided in the resignation of a number of company execs over the past month-plus.
According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, as part of this reorg, Microsoft Platforms & Services President Kevin Johnson is planning to consolidate Windows marketing under current Corporate Vice President Bill Veghte. When Microsoft recently moved Bob Muglia, Senior Vice President in charge of Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business, out from under the Microsoft Business Division, I started wondering whether Microsoft might be moving toward making Muglia the uber-Windows chief, possibly with a President title to match. Still no word on whether that will be the case, however.
The Journal also is reporting that online services will report to Satya Nadella, the Microsoft Corporate Vice President who currently heads search and advertising. I guess that explains another rampant rumor: Supposedly former Ask CEO and current Online Services Senior Vice President Steve Berkowitz is out, though it’s not clear if he’s out of Microsoft entirely, or just out of his current job. (For the record, I’ve heard the “Berkowitz is finally quittimg” rumor at least a half-dozen times in the past year.)
I asked Microsoft for comment on the alleged Berkowitz and Nadella moves. So far, nada.
One last reorg rumor that’s circulating out there: Windows Live General Manager Brian Hall and his marketing team are being moved under Windows client as part of the latest reorg. That move isn’t too surprising, given Microsoft’s plan to more tightly integrate Windows and Windows Live over the next year-plus.
I asked a Microsoft spokeswoman about the alleged Hall/Windows Live Marketing team moves and was told there was no information available on specifics or timing. I also asked Hall for comment and so far have received no word.
Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. Don't miss a single post. Subscribe via Email or
RSS. You can also follow Mary Jo on Twitter.
Got a tip? Send Mary Jo your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. For disclosure on Mary Jo's industry affiliations, click here or to see Mary Jo's full profile click here.
