Microsoft Creates Multimedia Division

By Sarah Charf and Marty Taucher and Diana Parket and Pam Edstrom
Business Wire

June 5, 1989

Redmond, WA -- Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) Monday announced the formation of the Multimedia Division, a new product group dedicated to the development and marketing of multimedia systems software for consumer products.

"Over the next few years, a radically new type of personal computer will emerge that combines high-speed processors, high- resolution displays and optical media," said Bill Gates, cofounder and chief executive officer of Microsoft. "These multimedia personal computers will appeal to both the home and business users. The charter of the new Multimedia Division at Microsoft is to lead our work in this area."

The division will be headed by Min Yee, Microsoft vice president. Yee will also continue as publisher of Microsoft Press. He reports to Jon Shirley, Microsoft president.

Rob Glaser has been promoted to the position of general manager, Multimedia Systems Group. One of two groups in the new division, Glaser's group is responsible for the software development and marketing of a Microsoft multimedia platform. Glaser joined Microsoft in 1983 as associated manager of product acquisitions and has held a variety of positions in both the applications and systems divisions.

Most recently, he was director of marketing for the networking business unit. Glaser, 27, hold a B.S. degree in computer science from Yale University, as well as an M.A. from Yale in Economics.

"With Rob's experience in both systems and applications divisions he is uniquely qualified to lead Microsoft's efforts in the multimedia systems arena," said Gates.

The CD-ROM publishing group, which had been part of Microsoft Press, will become the Multimedia Publishing Group, responsible for creating and marketing Microsoft's multimedia end-user titles including Microsoft Programmer's Library and Microsoft Bookshelf.

The Multimedia Publishing Group will be headed by Susan Lammers, associate publisher. Lammers joined Microsoft in 1985 as director of acquisitions for Microsoft Press. In 1988 she was promoted to associate publisher and given responsibility for the CD-ROM products.

Microsoft Corp. develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace.

Note to editors: Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.