Microsoft names Capossela chief marketer

Microsoft promoted Chris Capossela to SVP of the consumer channels and central marketing group on April 6. He will oversee the company's marketing, advertising and corporate communications. Capossela will replace Mich Mathews, SVP of the central marketing group at Microsoft, who will leave the company at the end of the summer.

Capossela will also oversee the company's retail, mobile, operator and distribution teams as head of the newly formed consumer channels group. He will report to COO Kevin Turner and work with Mathews through the transition.

Microsoft said in a statement that Mathews' departure makes “this an opportune moment to bring the consumer channels and central marketing group functions under a single leader.” A Microsoft representative was not immediately available for comment.

Capossela previously served as SVP in the Microsoft Office division, where he was responsible for marketing the company's productivity products, including Office, SharePoint and Exchange. He has also managed the Microsoft Project business and served as speech assistant to former chairman and CEO Bill Gates.

Microsoft restructured its central marketing group last February, naming David Webster chief strategy officer and Gayle Troberman chief creative officer. Both report to Mathews. Carolyn Everson, corporate VP of global advertising sales and trade marketing, also left Microsoft in February to become VP of global sales at Facebook.