Microsoft’s newest Windows Phone marketing executive, Thom Gruhler, is no stranger to advertising in the mobile industry. In fact, you’ve probably had a hard time avoiding his work.
As an executive with McCann Worldgroup, the 42-year-old was for eight years the global leader of the agency’s Verizon business, overseeing the team that came up with the “Can you hear me now?” campaign for the wireless giant. He worked most recently as McCann’s global managing partner for telecommunications and technology.
Microsoft today named him corporate vice president of Windows Phone marketing. It’s a turnaround position, as Microsoft tries to dig itself out of a deep hole in the mobile market.
Windows Phone receives generally good reviews but has struggled against Android and iPhone, slipping into the low single digits in market share.
“I’m excited to be joining an outstanding team at Windows Phone that has built an amazing product, which is starting to turn heads in a very competitive market,” Gruhler said in a news release announcing his new job. “When you put a Windows Phone into someone’s hands they love it, which is the ideal place to start as a marketer. I’m looking forward to working with the team to build consumer awareness and excitement for Windows Phone products and the overall brand.”
