Blair Westlake, a corporate vice president at the company, told Variety that the software company is moving away from his expertise. January 16, 2014 8:12 AM PST (Credit: Microsoft) Microsoft corporate vice president for entertainment, Blair Westlake, has set sail from Redmond. Westlake confirmed to Variety on Wednesday that he has resigned from his post, saying that "it has become clear to me that the organization is moving in a direction that does not fit either my expertise or my skill sets." Westlake didn't discuss the direction in which he believes the company is going. Related stories Ericsson chief said to be candidate for Microsoft CEO Microsoft employee e-mail also hit by Syrian Electronic Army Microsoft: Windows XP anti-malware support to last into 2015 Samsung may launch a new Windows Phone 8 handset Nokia refocuses after hanging up devices and services unit Westlake spent nearly 10 years at Microsoft, handling the company's relations with the entertainment industry. According to his LinkedIn page, he was responsible for "business development, policies and all content licensing for Microsoft services and devices including Xbox Video, Xbox Music, Windows PC/Tablets, Surface and Windows Phones." The executive's departure comes just a few months after outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft is no longer just a big software company; it's a "devices and services company." It's not clear how Westlake's team might fit into that vision. In a statement to The Seattle Times, Microsoft confirmed Westlake's departure. The company hasn't yet announced a replacement, and Westlake hasn't said where he'll be going next.
Blair Westlake, a corporate vice president at the company, told Variety that the software company is moving away from his expertise.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft corporate vice president for entertainment, Blair Westlake, has set sail from Redmond.
Westlake confirmed to Variety on Wednesday that he has resigned from his post, saying that "it has become clear to me that the organization is moving in a direction that does not fit either my expertise or my skill sets." Westlake didn't discuss the direction in which he believes the company is going.
Related stories
- Ericsson chief said to be candidate for Microsoft CEO
- Microsoft employee e-mail also hit by Syrian Electronic Army
- Microsoft: Windows XP anti-malware support to last into 2015
- Samsung may launch a new Windows Phone 8 handset
- Nokia refocuses after hanging up devices and services unit
Westlake spent nearly 10 years at Microsoft, handling the company's relations with the entertainment industry. According to his LinkedIn page, he was responsible for "business development, policies and all content licensing for Microsoft services and devices including Xbox Video, Xbox Music, Windows PC/Tablets, Surface and Windows Phones."
The executive's departure comes just a few months after outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft is no longer just a big software company; it's a "devices and services company." It's not clear how Westlake's team might fit into that vision.
In a statement to The Seattle Times, Microsoft confirmed Westlake's departure. The company hasn't yet announced a replacement, and Westlake hasn't said where he'll be going next.
