June 11, 2006
scoble’s leaving microsoft
[The rumors are true.] Robert Scoble is leaving Microsoft.
I talked to Robert on the phone the other day. He told me about his leaving, moving over to Podtech.net instead etc. He asked me not to tell anyone, which I didn’t, until now.
Microsoft had a real asset with Robert. I supspect they didn’t appreciate him fully. For someone who made such a huge contribution to their company culture, I was shocked by how little they paid him.
Anyway, good luck, Maryam and Robert, in your new life in California. Rock on.
I guess the intervention took hold.
I stand ready to take robert’s place. however i suspect that hell will freeze over first.
How much did the pay him? Can’t find anything on Google.
It’s odd how at Content 2.0 we discussed the value of the branded blog(ger) and what Robert’s blog would be worth, if he left. Well now we will findout!
I suspect half of Microsoft is unhappy and another half indifferent or joyous. Working back in MSN recently it amazed me how many people simply never had heard of or read Robert’s blog. Microsoft is still too myopic, with filling budget spreadsheets and marketing powerpoints a bigger priority than knowing what’s going on the web.
I wish Robert well and hope to see him soon. Robert’s legacy will be that many people in Microsoft now blog. There are some very good bloggers in Microsoft — torres, dare, kennedy etc. and the pointless PR/marketing department can no longer control the flow of information.
In fact I suspect it will be these very same PR/marketing people that will lead the rejoicing because now they can take back control of the Microsoft voice and protect their jobs once again.
Thomas “less than $100,000″ probably about 70 –80K
By leaving and joing a startup, I bet, when Microsoft take out Podtech in a while he will get a couple of million payoff and a much higher position in Microsoft. See my post
Geoff: Maybe that’s Bill’s plan all along.
Whilst it’s sad that Robert is leaving I think he’s made dramatic changes to the way many people at Microsoft now think about their audience. He’s left us a canvas to play on and I for one am grateful for that. He’s had a huge impact on me and how I think my team can help communicate with our Microsoft partners more widely and transparently. Good luck with it Robert and thanks for another great cartoon Hugh!
I wonder what Ray Ozzie is saying on his blog …
If Microsoft was paying 70 grand to that tool, they got ripped off. Read his tripe for the first time today…wondering why anyone would pay for that…let alone care.
So Josh, what do you do? And how much do they pay you? Why don’t you show us how it’s done?
Having been a contractor at MSN at the past year, his leaving is no more of a surprise to me than all of the others who have left in droves from that awfully-managed money-losing division. Gosh, I’ve already lost count of some of the top departures — three top general managers fled from there in the past 9 months, I think?