14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced on February 10, 2009 that, as of early March, the company would fill the position left empty following the departure of Larry Cohen, corporate vice president, Corporate Communications. In this regard, Simon Sproule will take on the role of Corporate Vice President of Corporate Communications. The software giant touted Sproule's extensive, 17 years’ worth of broad communications experience that the former corporate vice president of Global Communications and Investor Relations for Nissan Motor brings to the table.
Microsoft informed that Sproule would work directly under Mich Mathews, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Central Marketing Group. Mathews welcomed the new blood at the head of the company's Corporate Communications division. “As a company that believes in the power of word of mouth, we’re delighted to bring in someone with Simon’s marketing and PR prowess,” explained Mathews. “Simon is a world-class communications leader with the smarts and leadership to help us take our communications to the next level.”
According to Microsoft, in his last five years with Nissan, Sproule dealt with a range of corporate communications issues including corporate social responsibility (CSR), but also product introductions, and even brand communications as well as internal communications for the auto-maker’s global presence. In his new role with Microsoft, Sproule will take on responsibilities involving the contouring and management of the company's communications strategies worldwide. The software giant revealed that the responsibilities of the new head of Corporate Communications would span from basic media relations to planning and execution, public affairs, dealing with executive communications but also with communications at the level of Microsoft’s employees and not least of all global agency management.
“I’m honored to join Microsoft and its world-class communications team, and look forward to tackling the challenges and opportunities ahead,” added Sproule. “As one of the most recognized brands in the world, Microsoft truly understands the value of communications in guiding the strategic direction of the company, and I couldn’t be more excited to join them in that mission.”