Microsoft loses marketing VP Mich Mathews

Mathews steps down after 22 years with the company

Microsoft just lost its VP of global marketing. Mich Mathews, Microsoft's head of marketing for the last twenty-two years, told the company last night that she would be leaving. And the big deal is...?

Mathews oversees $1 billion in annual marketing spending for the company, including its consumer brands Xbox, Bing, and Windows. 

Mathews told AdAge this morning that she made the decision over the Christmas holidays and does not have another job lined up. She didn't leave during the holidays because she felt that the company needed her oversight as it went through a big upheaval of its media relationships.  Publicis Groupe's Starcom Mediavest is now in charge of Microsoft's U.S. buying and global planning and strategy, while Interpublic Group of Companies' Universal McCann will stay on to handle buying duties in approximately 35 markets outside of the U.S. Mathews stayed on to see the changes through, but now feels it's time to check out.

She didn't give any specific reason for her departure, other than that she feels it's time to do something different. Having been with the company for twenty-two years, she's ready to move in a different direction and start "chapter two" of her life. 

Mathews came to Microsoft from General Motors in 1989 and spent four years as a consultant in the UK. In 1993, she was given the task of overseeing the company's corporate PR, and in 1999 she was made an officer of the company. She has since been featured in a Newsweek article on "10 Power Women Getting Ahead," and AdAge named Mathews number 21 in its list of 2009 Power Players, noting her work on Bing, Windows, and the "I'm a PC" campaign. Additionally, Business Pundit named Mathews number 19 in its list of the 25 hottest women in business--a list that includes Marissa Mayer, Arianna Huffington, Jenna Jameson, and Beyonce. 

Mathews says that while she has no prospects at the moment, she's in no hurry to line up another gig right away. She'll likely spend the summer making phone calls and jump into her next gig in the fall. 

Image source: BusinessPundit.com