Key Ballmer adviser leaves Microsoft

Martin Taylor, a key adviser to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, has left the software maker.

Taylor, a 13-year company veteran who led Microsoft’s “Get the Facts” anti-Linux crusade for several years, was named in March as a corporate vice president overseeing the marketing push for Windows Live services.

Before he led the “Get the Facts” campaign, Taylor served as director of business strategy, working directly for Ballmer on various strategic projects and on long-term planning for the company. Prior to that, he spent more than two years as general manager of Microsoft’s Caribbean unit.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to part ways with Martin, but we don’t comment on personnel matters,” Microsoft said in a statement. “We appreciate Martin’s contributions at Microsoft over the past 13 years.”

Microsoft didn’t say whether Taylor’s duties had been assigned to another executive at the company.

Taylor, reached at his home, declined comment on his departure. His departure was reported earlier Tuesday by Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal.

Full story: c|net News.com