From The Verge · Tom Warren · · 2m
Frank Shaw is leaving Microsoft after 17 years
The man who spent three decades defending Microsoft, correcting reporters, and reading his own mean tweets is stepping down.
In brief
The man who spent three decades defending Microsoft, correcting reporters, and reading his own mean tweets is stepping down. Shaw leaves at the end of December, and Microsoft has not named a successor yet. Originally reported by The Verge.
Twenty nine years, done
Frank Shaw is leaving Microsoft after 17 years as chief communications officer, capping 29 years supporting the company's comms.
“decided it is time for me to move on and try new things”
He started at the agency
Nearly 20 years came as a Microsoft employee. Before that he worked the account from Waggener Edstrom, the PR agency now known as We. Communications.
At the center since 1997
Shaw helped Microsoft through multiple Windows and Office launches, two CEO transitions, and the company's bet on cloud.
The megadeals he messaged
That includes the $26.2 billion LinkedIn purchase in 2016 and the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition in 2023.
Number one in PR
PRWeek put Shaw at the top of its 2026 list of the most powerful people in public relations.
Direct, but respectful
Microsoft executives rate him highly. Employees describe a different feeling: dread at getting an email from him after misspeaking or leaking product plans.
“they always fear an email from him”
He fought back publicly
In 2013 he tore into Apple and the press for comparing iWork to Office, and he still shows up on X to kill rumors. At Microsoft's 50th party he read mean tweets about himself onstage.
The Neowin years
Verge reporter Tom Warren first met Shaw as a teenage blogger posting confidential Microsoft documents. Microsoft's lawyers once knocked Neowin offline for 24 hours.
Still bracing for the call
Decades of heated arguments and mutual respect later, Warren says a call from Shaw means Microsoft is about to announce something wild, or he is in trouble again.
“when Frank calls my phone, I brace myself”
What comes next, unsaid
Shaw is not retiring. He plans a break, then other things, and true to the job, he will not say what they are.
His team is his ka-tet
His memo veers into Stephen King's Dark Tower, borrowing 'ka-tet' for a group bound by shared mission. He signs off with the books' farewell, effective in December.
“long days and pleasant nights”
The essence
Shaw leaves at the end of December, and Microsoft has not named a successor yet.
