Microsoft’s consumer marketing chief to depart in 2026
▼ Summary
– Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, announced his departure after 35 years, effective next year, while remaining focused on marketing for Windows, Copilot, and Microsoft 365 until 2027.
– Mehdi’s departure is part of a wave of veteran executives leaving, following Rajesh Jha’s retirement in March, which triggered a flattening of upper management.
– He began his career at Microsoft as an intern in the 1990s, working on launches like Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Internet Explorer, and later Bing.
– Mehdi also helped launch the Xbox One, Windows 10, and Copilot Plus PCs, serving as the face of Microsoft’s consumer efforts in recent years.
– The company has not yet named a successor, with Mehdi collaborating on a transition plan with CEO Satya Nadella and chief marketing officer Takeshi Numoto.
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, is leaving the company after a 35-year tenure. Mehdi shared the news in an internal memo on Thursday, confirming his departure will take place next year. Until 2027, he will continue overseeing marketing for Windows, Copilot for consumers, and the Microsoft 365 consumer business.
“As I thought about this decision, one thing was crystal clear: I want to ensure I have the time and space to set the team, and our mission, up for continued success,” Mehdi wrote in his memo. “We are in the middle of an incredibly important moment for Microsoft and for our customers.”
According to GeekWire, Mehdi is collaborating with CEO Satya Nadella and chief marketing officer Takeshi Numoto on a transition strategy. However, Microsoft has not yet announced a replacement. Mehdi joins a growing list of veteran executives who have recently disclosed their exits from the company.
In March, Rajesh Jha, former executive vice president of Microsoft’s experiences and devices group, announced his retirement after more than 35 years at the company. Jha’s departure has prompted a restructuring of Microsoft’s senior leadership across Windows, Office, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and other core divisions.
Mehdi began his career at Microsoft as an intern in the 1990s, following a path similar to many long-serving employees. He played a key role in the launches of Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, and later handled marketing for Internet Explorer. For over a decade, he led Microsoft’s search and online businesses, including the launch of Bing. He also helped bring Xbox One, Windows 10, and Copilot Plus PCs to market, and has been a prominent public face for Microsoft’s consumer strategy in recent years.
“I’ve had the privilege of being a part of some of the most consequential shifts in technology, from the rise of Windows and the early Internet, to search, gaming, devices, and now one of the most profound platform transitions yet: AI,” Mehdi said. “It’s an exciting but difficult decision, as Microsoft has been far more than a place to work. It has truly been the canvas for my life’s work.”
(Source: The Verge)
