« What's the story with the Treo 600? | Main | All Work and No Play »
November 8, 2003
Mobile Exec Leaving Microsoft
Confusion over who makes what decisions within Microsoft's mobile division continues. It was reported on Thursday that Juha Christensen is leaving Microsoft.
Christensen is currently the Corporate Vice President in charge of Marketing for the Mobile Devices Division. According to his bio page, his duties at Microsoft include being "responsible for managing strategic partnerships, business development and product marketing for Microsoft’s mobility solutions. Products overseen by Christensen include Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition and Smartphone 2002." Those who reported to Christensen will report to Pieter Knook, Senior VP of Microsoft's mobile and embedded devices unit.
Back in March, Steve Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer began to personally oversee Microsoft's Mobility group (as it was called then). While the division is making more money than it used to, it remains unprofitable now 7 years after its first products entered the mobile market.
So, was Christensen asked to step down, or did he truly see greener pastures at the unnamed "Silicon Valley-based mobile device start-up?" It seems hard to imagine leaving Microsoft if you're living up to Ballmer's expectations.