Microsoft Tweaks Organization, Beefs Up Marketing

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March 30, 2000 (5:33 PM EST)

Microsoft Tweaks Organization, Beefs Up Marketing

Microsoft took advantage late Thursday of a lull in the tense negotiations in the federal antitrust trial to make a few key internal changes in top managers' duties.

The reorganization creates new groups to sharpen the focus on Next Generation Windows Services, a still-evolving set of products and services built around the Internet, Microsoft Windows operating systems and new devices.

In one new twist, Microsoft (stock: MSFT) is creating a new marketing division, to be run by public relations vice president Mich Mathews. That new division will create compelling vehicles for marketing through advertising, PR events and the Internet, the company said. Mathews will report to Jeff Raikes, group vice president, business productivity group.

In another major change, the Redmond, Wash.-based software powerhouse is aligning the former Windows and Developer Divisions. Jim Allchin, platforms group vice president, and Paul Maritz, developer group vice president, will head the new unified platforms and tools effort. Both will report to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft president.

Also reporting to Ballmer in a new role is David Vaskevitch, formerly vice president and chief architect of the distributed applications division. Vaskevitch will oversee the company's e-commerce, business integration, and business applications efforts.

Microsoft is also creating a number of "Solutions Groups" to work with product development teams within each business division. Tod Neilsen, vice president developer marketing, is heading up three new groups -- Developer Windows DNA and Web Services; IT infrastructure and hosting; and PC Experience. Mike Nash, director of Windows infrastructure marketing will take on solution groups for online areas such as MSDN, Technet, and Microsoft.com.