Frank X. Shaw | Influence 100

Frank X. Shaw 

Corporate VP, Communications 
Microsoft
US

 

 

Frank X. Shaw impressively continues to shepherd Microsoft through an unrelenting storm of criticism and changes, whether that’s speculation around industry-altering acquisitions (right now, that’s TikTok), ambitious or sometimes disastrous product launches, political backlash and more. 

When Shaw joined Microsoft in 2009 as its head of communications, it was perhaps one of the most seamless agency to in-house transitions the industry has witnessed. One of the reasons for that, of course, was Shaw’s former role as president of the Microsoft account at WE Communications where he spent most of the first two decades of his career. In essence, this meant Shaw had spent nearly his entire career learning every facet of Microsoft’s business.

This knowledge has been integral in his role as head of global communications, seeing the tech giant through major changes — not only in its management but also in its overall business strategy. Which probably helps to explain why Shaw is only too happy to take Microsoft critics to task on Twitter. 

Amid considerable transformation, Shaw’s institutional PR insight remains unparalleled and has yielded considerable benefit to the company —and stands as a notable example of reputational stewardship for the industry-at-large.