Microsoft chief brand officer, Xbox CMO departing; Google, Amazon execs join Redmond giant

Kathleen Hall. (Microsoft Photo)

Kathleen Hall, who spent 16 years at Microsoft and was most recently the tech giant’s chief brand officer, announced Wednesday she is departing the Redmond company.

“After 16 years at Microsoft, I have decided to return to New York and take some time off before my next adventure,” Hall wrote on LinkedIn. “It’s been a great ride, and I am very thankful for my time, my team, and all that we accomplished together.”

Hall oversaw marketing and advertising initiatives across product launches and campaigns related to Windows, Xbox, Super Bowl ads, and more.

Before joining Microsoft, Hall was a senior vice president at Fidelity and COO at Leonard Monahan.

— In another departure, Jerret West, chief marketing officer for Xbox and corporate vice president of Microsoft Gaming, is leaving Microsoft next week. West returned to the company in 2019 — his first stint was from 2003 to 2011 — and previously held executive roles at Netflix and American Express.

— Microsoft is also adding two new marketing leaders: Bryson Gordon and Alyssa Schutter.

• Gordon spent nearly four years at Google, most recently as a global marketing leader for Google Workspace. He previously worked at Microsoft from 2005 to 2015 in various marketing roles. Gordon’s title will be corporate vice president of media, partnerships, and agencies.
• Schutter is a live events leader who comes from Amazon Studios, where she was head of events. She also spent time at MGM Studios in leadership roles. Her title at Microsoft will be general manager of event creative.