Microsoft Intensifies Efforts to Win Over Governments with Creation of New Senior International Post

As part of its bid to win over governments considering a switch to the Linux open-source system, Microsoft has created a new senior international post to boost its presence in emerging markets. Jean-Philippe Courtois, the company's European, Middle Eastern, and African chief, has been appointed to the new role, which will see him oversee all sales, marketing, and services activities outside the US. Courtois will act as a key liaison between Microsoft and governments, particularly in developing countries, said Kevin Johnson, the company's worldwide head of sales and marketing. The move is aimed at capitalizing on the expected boom in PC and server sales in emerging markets like China and India, which are seen as critical growth opportunities for Microsoft.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft has created a new senior international post to win over governments considering a switch to Linux and boost its presence in emerging markets.
• Jean-Philippe Courtois, the company's European, Middle Eastern, and African chief, has been appointed to the new role, which will see him oversee all sales, marketing, and services activities outside the US.
• Courtois will act as a key liaison between Microsoft and governments, particularly in developing countries.
• The company faces challenges in emerging markets, including rampant piracy and competition from Linux.
• Microsoft's relations with governments overseas have been hampered by ongoing antitrust cases in Europe and Japan.
• Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, has identified emerging markets like China and India as critical growth opportunities for the company.

Statistics:

• More than 90% of copies of the Windows operating system in use in China do not have a valid licence (Source: Kevin Johnson).
• Microsoft's relations with governments overseas have been hampered by continuing antitrust cases in Europe and Japan (Source: Jean-Philippe Courtois).