Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Microsoft Reshapes Communications Team, Expanding Employees’ Public Voice
Microsoft is changing how it talks with the public.
Its communications team will move from the marketing department to a group led by Brad Smith.
This group also handles legal, government, and public policy matters.
CEO Satya Nadella wants more employees to help explain Microsoft’s work.
These employees may include engineers, salespeople, partners, and executives.
Microsoft says news and social media are more crowded and difficult to manage than before.
Frank X. Shaw is leaving his communications leadership role after more than two decades at the company.
He will stay until the end of the year to advise the people managing the transition.
Microsoft is moving its communications team from marketing into the corporate, external, and legal affairs group led by President Brad Smith.
CEO Satya Nadella said employees close to products and customers should play a larger role in telling Microsoft’s story.
The company cited a media landscape that has become more fragmented and noisier as a reason for the change.
Communications will work alongside Microsoft’s legal, regulatory, public policy, antitrust, litigation, and government-relations functions while coordinating with marketing.
Frank X. Shaw will leave his current communications role, remain at Microsoft through year-end, and advise Brad Smith and interim communications leader Brent Colburn.
- Who
- Microsoft, CEO Satya Nadella, President Brad Smith, communications leader Frank X. Shaw, and interim communications leader Brent Colburn.
- What
- Microsoft is reorganizing its communications function and plans to involve more employees and executives in its public messaging.
- When
- The reorganization was announced in internal memos; Frank X. Shaw will remain with Microsoft until the end of the year.
- Where
- Within Microsoft’s corporate, external, and legal affairs organization.
- Why
- Microsoft said the media environment has become more fragmented and noisier, and that employees closest to its products and customers can better help tell its story.
- New reporting structure
- Microsoft’s communications team will report to the organization led by President Brad Smith rather than marketing.
- Employee participation
- Engineers, salespeople, partners, executives, and other employees may take a larger role in public communications, including social media.
- Reason for change
- CEO Satya Nadella cited a more fragmented and noisier media landscape.
- Coordination
- Communications will remain coordinated with marketing.
- Frank X. Shaw
- Shaw will step down from his current responsibilities and serve as an advisor during the transition.
- Transition leaders
- Shaw will advise Brad Smith and interim communications leader Brent Colburn.
- Departure timing
- Shaw plans to leave Microsoft at the end of the year after more than two decades with the company.