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Microsoft says executive in charge of Windows and web leaving company |
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Written by Jessica Mintz, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
Microsoft's Kevin Johnson, right, smiles at Brian P. McAndrews, CEO of aQuantive, during a brief news conference, Friday, May 18, 2007, in Seattle. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Elaine Thompson
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SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday said the executive in charge of its Windows and web operations is leaving the company.
Kevin Johnson had served since 2005 as president of Microsoft's platforms and services division, which included the Windows operating system and Windows Live programs such as web email and instant messaging. The division also included online advertising, search and Microsoft's MSN sites.
Johnson's three years at the helm overlapped with the anticlimactic release of Windows Vista and, more notably, with Microsoft's recent failed bid to buy Yahoo Inc.
He also spearheaded the US$6-billion acquisition of online advertising company aQuantive in 2007. Incorporating aQuantive has boosted Microsoft's web ad revenue, but not enough to put the software maker in league with leader Google Inc.
Johnson, who joined Microsoft in 1992, will help with a transition, Microsoft said in a statement. He has taken a job with networking hardware maker Juniper Networks Inc., according to the Wall Street Journal. Neither Microsoft nor Juniper returned calls seeking comment.
Microsoft says the platforms and services division will now be split in two, with heads of the Windows and online groups reporting directly to chief executive Steve Ballmer.
The Windows/Windows Live division will be led by senior vice-presidents Steven Sinofsky, Jon DeVaan and Bill Veghte.
Microsoft said it will search for a new leader for its online services business. In the interim, senior vice-presidents Satya Nadella and Brian McAndrews will remain in the lead of engineering and advertiser and publisher solutions.
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