# Microsoft puts Brad Smith in charge of communications

> Microsoft moves its communications group under legal affairs and names vice chair Brad Smith to lead it as Frank Shaw departs after 17 years.
- Title: Microsoft puts Brad Smith in charge of communications
- Summary: Microsoft moves its communications group under legal affairs and names vice chair Brad Smith to lead it as Frank Shaw departs after 17 years. Microsoft is…
- Keywords: microsoft, brad smith, frank shaw, communications, satya nadella, corporate restructuring, technology, culture, puts, Brad, Smith, charge
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/news/1000374/microsoft-comms-pr-brad-smith-cela
- Author: Tom Warren
- Published: 2026-09-24T22:08:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: microsoft, brad smith, frank shaw, communications, satya nadella, corporate restructuring, technology, culture
## Microsoft reshuffles communications leadership
Microsoft is moving its communications group from marketing into its Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs organization, effective immediately.
## Frank Shaw departs after 17 years
Chief communications officer Frank Shaw is leaving Microsoft later this year after nearly three decades with the company.
## Brad Smith takes the helm
Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith will oversee communications going forward, moving the role from chief marketing officer Takeshi Numoto.
## Nadella explains the shift
CEO Satya Nadella says the move reflects a media environment that is increasingly fragmented and noisier than ever.

> a media environment that is increasingly fragmented and noisier than ever
## Empowering engineers to tell the story
Nadella wants engineers, sellers, and partners closest to products to become a bigger part of how Microsoft tells its story.

> help our engineers, sellers, partners, and others closest to our products and customers become an even bigger part of how we tell our story
## Interim leader named during transition
Brent Colburn, VP of global public affairs, becomes interim communications leader while Microsoft searches for Shaw's permanent replacement.
## Smith's track record in public affairs
Smith is already Microsoft's public face for policy and corporate communications, regularly meeting with governments, regulators, and customers worldwide.
## Search for permanent communications chief
Microsoft is considering both internal and external candidates to permanently replace Shaw later this year.
## Key takeaway

Microsoft is restructuring its communications function under Brad Smith and moving it from marketing to legal affairs as longtime chief communications officer Frank Shaw leaves.