Microsoft Creates New Consumer Operation, Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer

Microsoft is combining its retail, mobile operator and distribution operations into a new Consumer Channels Group and putting a single executive in charge of that organization and the company's Central Marketing Group.

Chris Capossela, who was previously responsible for marketing Microsoft's Office and productivity software products, was named senior vice president of the Consumer Channels Group. He will also take on the responsibility of chief marketing officer for the entire company, managing all of Microsoft's marketing, advertising and corporate communications operations.

Capossela will report to chief operating officer Kevin Turner. As CMO Capossela is taking over from Mich Mathews who is retiring this summer as senior vice president of the Central Marketing Group.

Microsoft, in a statement, said the pending departure of Mathews creates "an opportune moment to bring the consumer channels and central marketing group functions under a single leader."

As head of the Consumer Channels Group Capossela is charged with creating new business opportunities around Microsoft's Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox and Office products.

Capossela, a 20-year veteran of Microsoft, was previously senior vice president of the Microsoft Office Division where he was responsible for marketing the company's Office, Office 365, SharePoint, Exchange, Lync, Project and Visio products. He oversaw the launch of Office 2007 and Office 2010 and their related server products.