Microsoft shuffles Windows Phone management to build momentum
Microsoft has rearranged its management team for Windows Phone, shifting division head Andy Lees to a "time-critical opportunity" to build momentum for its Windows Phone and Windows 8 operating systems, a move that some have viewed as a sign of failure.
An internal memo from Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer was first leaked by AllThingsD, then publicly released on Monday. The document caused some confusion as it was unclear whether Lees' new role was a promotion or a demotion.
Ballmer wrote to employees at the Redmond, Wash., software giant that Lees, who took over as Windows Phone president just 14 months ago, would move to a new role working for him on "a time-critical opportunity focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8." The executive noted that the change would set Microsoft up to "really deliver" on the "tremendous potential" of the two operating systems.
The memo thanked Lees for his contributions to the team, noting that he had made a "ton of progress" in a short amount of time. "In the three years Andy has been leading the phone group, we?ve come a long way ? we reset our strategy, built a strong team that delivered WP7 and WP7.5 and created critical new partnerships and ecosystem around Windows Phone," the note read.
Former Windows Phone engineering lead Terry Myerson will take over Lees' existing responsibilities, including development, marketing and "other business functions," according to the memo.
"Because Terry has been so integrally involved in our Windows Phone work already, I?m confident that he can make a seamless transition to this new and broader leadership responsibility," Ballmer wrote.
Adding to Ballmer's words of affirmation, handset maker Nokia, a close partner with Microsoft these days, issued a statement praising Lees' work.
?We are grateful for Andy?s support and commitment in getting Nokia?s Lumia range into the market, on schedule,? Executive VP Jo Harlow told AllThingsD. ?We would like to thank him for his hard work and wish him well in his new ventures at Microsoft. We have been working closely with Terry and are looking forward to collaborating with him more broadly.?
The fact that Lees' role will span both the Windows and Windows Phone teams may serve as further evidence of Microsoft's plans to merge the two platforms. Ballmer has made clear that his vision for Windows is for it to be "everywhere on every device without compromise." Lees said in July that he believes PCs, tablets and phones will eventually merge into a "unified ecosystem," though he did not indicate when he expects that to happen for Microsoft.\t
Windows 8 will take a step in that direction by adding support for ARM-based architectures and including a secondary tablet-oriented interface called Metro. The operating system is slated for release sometime next year.
However, Lees' new role was also taken by some to be a result of disappointing sales of Windows Phone. Joe Wilcox of BetaNews speculated that Ballmer's email could be interpreted as a firing of Lees, though "he's too high level to just show the door." Wilcox went on to note that Windows Phone's paltry 1.2 percent market share in the third quarter is a "measure of failure, in a really big way."
"On second thought, I'm convincing myself that Lees is sidelined and as a leader, forgive me, castrated," he wrote. "Hell, he is no longer a Microsoft president -- and over one of the company's most strategically important product groups.
"It's likely the Lees era is over at the Windows Phone division," he continued, adding that "Microsoft has fallen too far behind and can't get up."
Windows Phone 7 arrived last fall, but failed to gain much support from consumers. Reviewers praised some of Microsoft's user interface decisions as "novel and attractive," while generally noting that the OS appeared to be a few years behind Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Ballmer said in September that Windows Phone's first year of sales didn't amount to "quite as many as [he] would have liked."
Microsoft worked to make up for lost time with a major update, codenamed "Mango," to Windows Phone this fall. In October, Nokia unveiled its first two Windows Phone devices under the brand "Lumia" after agreeing to abandon its own Symbian OS in favor of Windows Phone early this year.
Nokia's new Lumia 800 (left) and Lumia 710 are its first Windows Phones.
Some analysts are skeptical that even Nokia, the world's largest handset manufacturer, will bring Microsoft critical mass for its mobile platform. Pacific Crest Securities analyst James Faucette cut his sales forecast for Nokia's Windows Phone devices in half last month, stating that he believes the handsets are "unlikely to get traction."
Microsoft's partners are also worried about the platform. U.S. wireless operator AT&T has even admitted that Microsoft will face "a lot of challenges" in going up against its well-entrenched rivals.
An internal memo from Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer was first leaked by AllThingsD, then publicly released on Monday. The document caused some confusion as it was unclear whether Lees' new role was a promotion or a demotion.
Ballmer wrote to employees at the Redmond, Wash., software giant that Lees, who took over as Windows Phone president just 14 months ago, would move to a new role working for him on "a time-critical opportunity focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8." The executive noted that the change would set Microsoft up to "really deliver" on the "tremendous potential" of the two operating systems.
The memo thanked Lees for his contributions to the team, noting that he had made a "ton of progress" in a short amount of time. "In the three years Andy has been leading the phone group, we?ve come a long way ? we reset our strategy, built a strong team that delivered WP7 and WP7.5 and created critical new partnerships and ecosystem around Windows Phone," the note read.
Former Windows Phone engineering lead Terry Myerson will take over Lees' existing responsibilities, including development, marketing and "other business functions," according to the memo.
"Because Terry has been so integrally involved in our Windows Phone work already, I?m confident that he can make a seamless transition to this new and broader leadership responsibility," Ballmer wrote.
Adding to Ballmer's words of affirmation, handset maker Nokia, a close partner with Microsoft these days, issued a statement praising Lees' work.
?We are grateful for Andy?s support and commitment in getting Nokia?s Lumia range into the market, on schedule,? Executive VP Jo Harlow told AllThingsD. ?We would like to thank him for his hard work and wish him well in his new ventures at Microsoft. We have been working closely with Terry and are looking forward to collaborating with him more broadly.?
The fact that Lees' role will span both the Windows and Windows Phone teams may serve as further evidence of Microsoft's plans to merge the two platforms. Ballmer has made clear that his vision for Windows is for it to be "everywhere on every device without compromise." Lees said in July that he believes PCs, tablets and phones will eventually merge into a "unified ecosystem," though he did not indicate when he expects that to happen for Microsoft.\t
Windows 8 will take a step in that direction by adding support for ARM-based architectures and including a secondary tablet-oriented interface called Metro. The operating system is slated for release sometime next year.
However, Lees' new role was also taken by some to be a result of disappointing sales of Windows Phone. Joe Wilcox of BetaNews speculated that Ballmer's email could be interpreted as a firing of Lees, though "he's too high level to just show the door." Wilcox went on to note that Windows Phone's paltry 1.2 percent market share in the third quarter is a "measure of failure, in a really big way."
"On second thought, I'm convincing myself that Lees is sidelined and as a leader, forgive me, castrated," he wrote. "Hell, he is no longer a Microsoft president -- and over one of the company's most strategically important product groups.
"It's likely the Lees era is over at the Windows Phone division," he continued, adding that "Microsoft has fallen too far behind and can't get up."
Windows Phone 7 arrived last fall, but failed to gain much support from consumers. Reviewers praised some of Microsoft's user interface decisions as "novel and attractive," while generally noting that the OS appeared to be a few years behind Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Ballmer said in September that Windows Phone's first year of sales didn't amount to "quite as many as [he] would have liked."
Microsoft worked to make up for lost time with a major update, codenamed "Mango," to Windows Phone this fall. In October, Nokia unveiled its first two Windows Phone devices under the brand "Lumia" after agreeing to abandon its own Symbian OS in favor of Windows Phone early this year.
Nokia's new Lumia 800 (left) and Lumia 710 are its first Windows Phones.
Some analysts are skeptical that even Nokia, the world's largest handset manufacturer, will bring Microsoft critical mass for its mobile platform. Pacific Crest Securities analyst James Faucette cut his sales forecast for Nokia's Windows Phone devices in half last month, stating that he believes the handsets are "unlikely to get traction."
Microsoft's partners are also worried about the platform. U.S. wireless operator AT&T has even admitted that Microsoft will face "a lot of challenges" in going up against its well-entrenched rivals.
Comments
WP7 is a great mobile OS. I hope they can find an opportunity to exploit. So far it's not looking so good.
I have never even seen a Windows Phone in the wild in either Europe or the US. I think they are a myth, like the easter bunny or bigfoot.
Pity though, that we'll need to come up with a different name for the MS/Google competitor to Siri...
I rather like the sound of AndyAndy...
I think they are a myth, like the easter bunny or bigfoot.
I don't understand... what do you mean? Obviously all those easter eggs don't deliver themselves!
I don't understand... what do you mean? Obviously all those easter eggs don't deliver themselves!
And the only evidence that bigfoot leaves behind are giant turds.
Microsoft shuffles Windows Phone management to build momentum
why do we so seldom hear about apple shuffling management to build mo ... meh ... never mind.
I have never even seen a Windows Phone in the wild in either Europe or the US. I think they are a myth, like the easter bunny or bigfoot.
I have seen one WP7 when in flight from LA to SF a couple months ago. Interesting interface. It looks promising and in my personal opinion, is better than that mess they call Android.
It holds promise, but I doubt it will get far so long as the chair-throwing monkey-boy is at the helm.
Good luck WP7. You're going to need it.
Nokia's Lumia 800 is doing very, very well in Europe. It'll be interesting to hear just how many they've sold in the run up to Christmas.
Lumia 800 has just opened for bookings in India. It looks pretty interesting. I will read a few reviews to see how the interface is.
The only management shuffle they need is to shuffle Steve Ballmer out the door. Then every year after that, Microsoft should have a ceremonial chair throwing party on the day he was fired.
I would sponsor a dozen chairs for that!
Nokia's Lumia 800 is doing very, very well in Europe. It'll be interesting to hear just how many they've sold in the run up to Christmas.
well = 100 sold
very well = 1000 sold
very very well = 10,000 sold
you get my progression
I have never even seen a Windows Phone in the wild in either Europe or the US. I think they are a myth, like the easter bunny or bigfoot.
I saw a pink Nokia Lumia 800 in the Wild in McDonalds.
But I agree with SolipsismX - its a great mobile OS. I'm tempted to buy one after christmas.
The only management shuffle they need is to shuffle Steve Ballmer out the door. Then every year after that, Microsoft should have a ceremonial chair throwing party on the day he was fired.
^This
well = 100 sold
very well = 1000 sold
very very well = 10,000 sold
you get my progression
2nd and 3rd best selling at Vodaphone:
http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_...-news-3421.php
Best selling phone at biggest network in the Netherlands:
http://wmpoweruser.com/nokia-lumia-800-tops-sales-charts-at-netherlandss-largest-mobile-operator/
So yes, 500,000 to 1M in Q1 is looking likely. Of those, about 100 will be in the US.
At the time he couldn't use it as a phone because it wouldn't connect to the carrier. That lasted a couple of weeks or so after he bought it. It honestly didn't look too bad. He likes it. It might be another case of too little, too late for Microsoft.
And the only evidence that bigfoot leaves behind are giant turds.
200,000 Android activations a day is a lot of evidence for bigfoot.
Microsoft has rearranged its management team for Windows Phone, shifting division head Andy Lees to a "time-critical opportunity" to build momentum for its Windows Phone and Windows 8 operating systems, a move that some have viewed as a sign of failure.
An internal memo from Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer was first leaked by AllThingsD, then publicly released on Monday. The document caused some confusion as it was unclear whether Lees' new role was a promotion or a demotion.
I don't see the confusion at all. Ballmer says to the Division Head: you're responsible for this division, so I'm going to set aside all of your other responsibilities and your job is to make sure that Windows Mobile 8 is a success. That means that 100% of your time should be spent on promotion during the next 6 months which is the critical time frame.
It happens all the time. Basically, the division head is given a 'do or die' opportunity.
"Hold on a moment please, while I just patch this hole "
Like i have always said....DOA. Microsoft should stop wasting shareholders money and focus on milking their illegally obtained desktop monopoly. Just develop software for iOS and Android and continue patent trolling Android cloners. that is where they will return the most money to their shareholders.