DailyTech - Microsoft Zune Exec Resigns

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IT Microsoft Zune Exec Resigns
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - February 1, 2007 4:16 PM

23 comment(s) - last by nortexoid.. on Feb 4 at 11:42 PM

Lee will stay on for several more weeks before leaving Microsoft

Bryan Lee to pursue other interests, J Allard takes over

Following Jim Allchin's announced retirement, Microsoft this week made the announcement that Zune evangelist Bryan Lee submitted his resignation. The announcement was made internally with Lee's message that he was leaving the software giant to "pursue personal interests." Despite his plans to leave, Lee will stay in his role as corporate vice president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division for several more weeks.

In his place, Microsoft will appoint J Allard, its corporate vice president of the design and development, entertainment and devices division. Allard is responsible for both Microsoft's Zune and Xbox gaming console. Allard is also recognized at Microsoft for being a founding member of its Windows NT family of products as well as being part of Microsoft's TCP/IP networking group.

Microsoft launched its Zune portable multimedia player last November, which received a warm welcome, but unfortunately sales numbers dropped sharply after its initial shipments. Earlier in the year, Apple launched several new iPod products, including an all new line of metallic iPod Nano's, a new iPod and a redesigned iPod Shuffle. Christmas sales of portable digital music players were dominated by the iPod.

Prior to being the Zune-chief at Microsoft, Lee was also the chief financial officer of its entertainment division.