Yusuf Mehdi, government vice chairman and client chief advertising officer at Microsoft, is leaving the corporate after 35 years. Mehdi introduced his departure in an inside memo on Thursday, noting that he’ll go away Microsoft subsequent yr. He’ll stay targeted on advertising for Home windows, Copilot for customers, and the Microsoft 365 client enterprise till 2027.
“As I considered this choice, one factor was crystal clear: I need to guarantee I’ve the time and house to set the crew – and our mission – up for continued success,” says Mehdi in his memo. “We’re in the midst of an extremely necessary second for Microsoft and for our clients.”
GeekWire reports that Mehdi is working with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and chief advertising officer Takeshi Numoto on a transition plan, however the firm has not but named his successor. Mehdi is the most recent in a wave of veteran executives who’ve announced their departure from Microsoft in current months.
Rajesh Jha, former government vice chairman of Microsoft’s experiences and units group, announced in March that he is retiring after greater than 35 years at Microsoft. Jha’s departure has triggered a flattening of Microsoft’s higher administration for Home windows, Workplace, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and extra.
Mehdi initially began at Microsoft as an intern within the ’90s, identical to many veteran staff. He labored on the launch of Home windows 3.1 and Home windows 95 early in his profession, in addition to the advertising for Web Explorer. He additionally spent greater than 10 years operating Microsoft’s search and on-line companies, together with serving to launch Bing. Mehdi additionally helped launch the Xbox One, Home windows 10, and Copilot Plus PCs, and has commonly been the face of Microsoft’s client efforts lately.
“I’ve had the privilege of being part of a few of the most consequential shifts in expertise – from the rise of Home windows and the early Web, to look, gaming, units, and now probably the most profound platform transitions but: AI,” says Mehdi. “It’s an thrilling however troublesome choice, as Microsoft has been way over a spot to work. It has actually been the canvas for my life’s work.”