Microsoft is moving its communications group into its legal affairs division under Brad Smith while searching for a new chief communications officer.
Published
Microsoft is restructuring its internal operations by moving its communications group out of the marketing department. The team will now be housed within the company's Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) organization.
The surprise change places Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith in direct oversight of the company's communications functions. Smith already leads CELA, which handles the company's legal, policy, and government relations matters.
The shift comes as Microsoft searches for a successor to Frank Shaw, the chief communications officer. Shaw is departing from the role he has held for over a decade.
This consolidation places the company's public messaging apparatus directly under its top legal and policy executive. The move signals a potential strategic alignment of communications with legal and regulatory priorities as Microsoft faces increased global scrutiny.
Sources: 1. Vanguard Nigeria: Nigeria seeks global partnerships to tackle security threats — https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/09/nigeria-seeks-global-partnerships-to-tackle-security-threats/ (src1) 2. The National: France looks to regulate use of veto to widen Sudan sanctions and arms embargo — https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/09/24/france-looks-to-regulate-use-of-veto-to-widen-sudan-sanctions-and-arms-embargo/ (src2) 3.