Who's Driving Microsoft's Home Entertainment Strategy?

Entertainment and Devices (E&D), a new division headed by President Robbie Bach, became responsible for much of Microsoft’s home entertainment strategy after a series of corporate reorganizations in late 2005.

Mobile and Embedded (M&E), headed by Senior Vice President Pieter Knook, includes mobile devices such as Portable Media Centers and enterprise software sales to media and entertainment companies, including content owners and distributors. Formerly part of the more business-oriented Platforms group, in Oct. 2005 M&E was combined with existing consumer businesses, such as Xbox and consumer software, to create the new E&D division.

Further shuffling took place in Dec. 2005. Bryan Lee, Bach’s finance chief, leads a new Entertainment business unit encompassing online music and video services (including MSN Music and MSN Video) and Microsoft’s TV platforms. J Allard, who has led the Xbox Platforms business since its inception, now oversees strategy, user interface, and new services for the E&D Division. Blair Westlake, who is responsible for Microsoft’s relationships with content owners, such as movie studios and record labels, has moved into the E&D group from the Windows Client group. Mitch Koch is in charge of Microsoft’s retail sales channel and the Consumer Leadership Team, a cross-company organization that articulates Microsoft’s overall consumer strategy. Peter Moore is responsible for Xbox marketing and all game development, as well as the gaming experience on Windows.