Reorg Elevates Microsoft's Will Poole to Windows Chief

On Thursday, Microsoft implemented a minor reorganization that elevated Windows Digital Media Division head Will Poole the newly created position of senior vice president of the Windows Client Business. Poole will report directly to Brian Valentine, senior vice president of the Windows Division at Microsoft. The promotion gives Poole responsibility of all Windows desktop versions, the Windows eHome division, the Windows Digital Media Division, and the Tablet PC.

The move also highlights Microsoft's increasing emphasis on digital media with its desktop products. Poole guided the successful launch of such market-leading products as Windows Media 9 Series, Windows Movie Maker 2, Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Plus! Digital Media Edition, which together have cemented Microsoft's position as a leader in the digital media space.

Poole's promotion was the only major move in this reorg. The company also hired an ex-Sega executive to fill a new position as corporate vice president of retail sales and marketing for Xbox.