Microsoft's longtime chief communications officer announces departure after nearly two decades
Frank Shaw, who has led Microsoft’s communications for 17 years and been with the firm for almost 30, will leave the company by the end of the year.
After 17 years as Microsoft’s chief communications officer and almost 30 years of overall involvement, Frank Shaw announced his exit, effective at the close of the calendar year. In an internal note, he said he feels it is time to explore new opportunities, after guiding the firm through numerous Windows and Office releases, leadership transitions, the shift to cloud services, and high-profile acquisitions like LinkedIn and Activision Blizzard.
Shaw, who previously worked at the Waggener Edstrom agency (now We. Communications), has been recognized as a leading figure in public relations, topping PRWeek’s 2026 list of most powerful PR professionals. He will stay on until December while Microsoft determines his replacement, and he plans to take a break before deciding on his next move, which he kept private.
Colleagues described him as direct, respected, and often the first to correct misinformation about the company. The departure marks the end of an era for Microsoft’s external messaging strategy.
Why it matters
Shaw’s exit ends a long-standing leadership role that shaped Microsoft’s public image during major product and acquisition milestones.
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