Microsoft’s consumer marketing chief to leave next year

Youssef Mahdi, executive vice president and head of consumer marketing at Microsoft, is leaving the company after 35 years. Mahdi announced his departure in an internal memo on Thursday, indicating that he will leave Microsoft next year. He will remain focused on marketing Windows and Copilot to consumers and the Microsoft 365 consumer business through 2027.

“When I thought about this decision, one thing was crystal clear: I want to make sure I have the time and space to set the team—and our mission—for continued success,” Mahdi says. His note. “We are in the middle of a very important moment for Microsoft and for our customers.”

GeekWire Reports Mahdi is working with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Chief Marketing Officer Takeshi Nomoto on a transition plan, but the company has not yet appointed his successor. Mehdi is the latest in a wave of veteran executives to do just that They announced their departure from Microsoft In recent months.

Rajesh Jha, former Executive Vice President of the Experience and Devices Group at Microsoft, He announced in March that he was retiring After more than 35 years at Microsoft. Jha’s departure flattened Microsoft’s senior leadership for Windows, Office, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and more.

Mehdi started at Microsoft as an intern in the 1990s, just like many veteran employees. He worked on the launch of Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 early in his career, in addition to marketing Internet Explorer. He also spent more than 10 years running Microsoft’s search and online businesses, including helping launch Bing. Mehdi also helped launch the Xbox One, Windows 10, and Copilot Plus PCs, and has regularly been the face of Microsoft’s consumer efforts in recent years.

“I’ve had the privilege of being part of some of the most significant shifts in technology — from the rise of Windows and the early Internet, to search, gaming, hardware, and now one of the deepest platform shifts to date: artificial intelligence,” says Mehdi. “It’s an exciting but difficult decision, as Microsoft was more than just a place to work. It was truly my canvas for my life.”