by CIO Staff

Microsoft Blogger Scoble Hits the Road

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Jun 12, 20062 mins
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Microsoft Technical Evangelist Robert Scoble, who made a name for himself in the blogosphere with his corporate blog, is stepping down from his post at the Redmond, Wash.-based software behemoth for a job with podcasting startup PodTech.Networks, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Scoble will become PodTech.Networks’ vice president for media development, where he’ll put together original video programming and various forms of podcasts, according to the Journal.

While Scoble’s job title suggests his role at Microsoft was to promote its products to other companies, he is well-known for his “Scobleizer” blog, where he helped to build the company’s credibility and reputation by not pulling any punches when he reviewed Microsoft products, occasionally criticizing or questioning them, the Journal reports.

Robert Scoble
Robert Scoble

In early 2006, Scoble coauthored the book Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers, in which he discussed the growing popularity of blogs and the role they play in business today, according to the Journal.

At Microsoft, Scoble helped to launch the “Channel 9” video blog, in which various Microsoft engineers and representatives were interviewed regarding upcoming products or initiatives, the Journal reports.

“We are sorry to see Robert leave Microsoft,” said a company spokesperson, according to the Journal. “Robert made a strong contribution through Channel 9 and his blog during an important time for the company. We wish him well in future endeavors.”

Scoble, who will be Menlo Park, Calif.-based PodTech.Networks’ 19th employee, will continue to blog and will pick up his new post in early July, the Journal reports.

PodTech.Networks calls such tech bigwigs as Intel and Yahoo its customers, according to the Journal.

This article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.

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