Microsoft’s Frank Shaw Departs After Nearly Two Decades as Chief Communications Officer

Frank Shaw is stepping down from his role as Microsoft’s chief communications officer after 17 years with the company. In a message to his team, Shaw stated that he has “decided it is time for me to move on and try new things.” His total time with Microsoft spans nearly three decades, beginning in 1997. Prior to joining the tech giant, Shaw spent several years at the Waggener Edstrom agency, which has since been rebranded as We. Communications.

During his tenure, Shaw played a central role in guiding Microsoft’s public messaging through a series of pivotal moments. This included managing communications for multiple major product launches such as Windows and Office, overseeing transitions between CEOs, and supporting the company’s strategic pivot toward cloud computing.

He was also involved in communications surrounding some of the firm’s largest acquisitions, including the $26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn in 2016 and the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Shaw’s departure marks the end of an era for the company’s internal and external communications leadership.