This week: Microsoft’s longtime communications chief, Frank X. Shaw, looks back on nearly three decades of telling the company’s story as he prepares to leave at the end of the year. Joined by veteran Microsoft reporter and GeekWire contributing writer Mary Jo Foley, Shaw talks about working for Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, the mistakes he’d handle differently, and what companies of any size can learn about the evolution of communications and working with reporters.

Related Stories and Links
Microsoft comms chief Frank Shaw to exit after nearly three decades shaping the company’s message
Internal memos: Microsoft shakes up communications as Nadella makes a push to build in public
Microsoft’s ‘lost decade’: Vanity Fair piece accurate but incomplete
Frank X. Shaw: Things I’m Thinking About
Mary Jo Foley’s GeekWire stories

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

This week: Microsoft&rsquo;s longtime communications chief, Frank X. Shaw, looks back on nearly three decades of telling the company&rsquo;s story as he prepares to leave at the end of the year. Joined by veteran Microsoft reporter and GeekWire contributing writer Mary Jo Foley, Shaw talks about working for Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, the mistakes he&rsquo;d handle differently, and what companies of any size can learn about the evolution of communications and working with reporters.
Related Stories and Links
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-comms-chief-frank-shaw-to-exit-after-nearly-three-decades-shaping-the-companys-message/">Microsoft comms chief Frank Shaw to exit after nearly three decades shaping the company&rsquo;s message</a></li>
<li><a href="https://geekwire.com/2026/internal-memos-microsoft-shakes-up-communications-as-nadella-makes-a-push-to-build-in-public/">Internal memos: Microsoft shakes up communications as Nadella makes a push to build in public</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2012/microsofts-lost-decade-vanity-fair-piece-accurate-incomplete/">Microsoft&rsquo;s &lsquo;lost decade&rsquo;: Vanity Fair piece accurate but incomplete</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fxshaw.com">Frank X. Shaw: Things I&rsquo;m Thinking About</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/author/maryjofoley/">Mary Jo Foley&rsquo;s GeekWire stories</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.