Xbox’s Marketing Team to Undergo Restructuring Following Departure of Chief Officer
Xbox’s marketing team is set to undergo significant changes following the departure of its current Chief Officer, Jerrett West. The news, revealed by The Verge, states that West will be leaving at the end of June to take on the role of CMO and Head of Marketing Expansion at Roblox. In response to West’s departure, Xbox head Phil Spencer outlined the plans for an “expanded” game marketing team in a memo obtained by the outlet.
Under the new structure, the game marketing team will fall under the purview of Integrated Marketing VP Kirsten Ward. This move aims to bring the marketing strategy for Xbox games, hardware, and Game Pass closer to the businesses they support. The marketing of Xbox games will be handled by Matt Booty’s content and studios team, while the platform/hardware team run by Sarah Bond will take charge of hardware marketing.
West, who previously worked at Xbox from 2003-2011 and rejoined in 2019, played a crucial role in expanding the Xbox brand and the success of products like Game Pass. Spencer acknowledged these accomplishments and expressed gratitude for West’s contributions in a statement. He also emphasized the importance of the partnership between Xbox and Roblox.
This restructuring follows the departure of another key figure, corporate VP Kareem Choudhry, in April. Choudhry’s exit prompted further streamlining of Xbox’s team structure, building upon the already streamlined approach.
Moving forward, Xbox’s marketing team will adapt to these changes, allowing for closer collaboration with the relevant business units and ensuring a more focused and efficient marketing strategy.
Additional facts:
1. Xbox is a gaming brand owned by Microsoft, known for its video game consoles and online gaming services.
2. Xbox has a strong presence in the gaming industry and is a major competitor to other gaming brands such as Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo.
3. The Xbox marketing team is responsible for promoting and advertising Xbox products and services, including games, consoles, and subscription services like Game Pass.
4. Jerrett West’s departure is a significant loss for Xbox, as he played a crucial role in expanding the Xbox brand and the success of Game Pass.
5. The new structure aims to align the marketing strategy for Xbox games, hardware, and Game Pass closer to the business units they support, ensuring better coordination and integration.
6. The content and studios team, led by Matt Booty, will now handle the marketing of Xbox games, while the platform/hardware team, led by Sarah Bond, will focus on hardware marketing.
7. Xbox head Phil Spencer recognizes the importance of the partnership between Xbox and Roblox and expresses gratitude for West’s contributions in his statement.
8. Xbox’s team restructuring follows the departure of corporate VP Kareem Choudhry in April, which further streamlined the team’s structure.
Key questions and answers:
1. Why is Xbox’s marketing team undergoing restructuring?
The restructuring is a response to the departure of Chief Officer Jerrett West and aims to align the marketing strategy with the relevant business units, ensuring better coordination and integration.
2. Who will be responsible for the marketing of Xbox games and hardware under the new structure?
Matt Booty’s content and studios team will handle the marketing of Xbox games, while Sarah Bond’s platform/hardware team will focus on hardware marketing.
3. What is the significance of Jerrett West’s departure?
Jerrett West played a crucial role in expanding the Xbox brand and the success of products like Game Pass. His departure is a loss for Xbox.
Key challenges or controversies:
One potential challenge with the restructuring of Xbox’s marketing team is ensuring effective coordination and integration between the different teams responsible for games, hardware, and Game Pass marketing. It will be important to establish clear communication channels and mechanisms for collaboration to ensure a cohesive marketing strategy.
Advantages:
1. The restructuring allows for closer collaboration between the marketing team and the relevant business units, resulting in a more focused and efficient marketing strategy.
2. By aligning the marketing strategy with the business units, Xbox can better tailor its marketing efforts to support the overall goals and objectives of the company.
Disadvantages:
1. The departure of key figures like Jerrett West and Kareem Choudhry may create a leadership vacuum and impact the continuity of the marketing team’s plans and strategies.
2. Restructuring can sometimes lead to uncertainty and disruption among team members, requiring time and effort to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.
Suggested related links:
1. Xbox Official Website
2. Microsoft Gaming
3. The Verge Gaming Section
