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Microsoft's longtime communications chief Frank Shaw to step down

Frank Shaw, Microsoft's chief of communications, is leaving after 17 years in the role and nearly three decades shaping the company's public image. Shaw announced he'll remain at Microsoft until the end of the year but hasn't said what he'll do next. There's no successor named yet. Shaw is widely credited with steering Microsoft through multiple CEO changes and major deals like the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

Why it mattersSenior communications executives rarely make headlines, but Shaw has been the architect behind Microsoft's public messaging for key pivots and controversies. His exit comes as Microsoft pushes deeper into AI.

Sources covering this

The VergeMicrosoft’s head of comms is leaving after almost 20 years4:01 PMFortuneMicrosoft head of communications Frank Shaw leaving after nearly 30 years of shaping the software giant’s public messaging5:49 PM

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