Skype hires Elisa Steele as new marketing VP

Skype, a division of Microsoft, today announced it is adding Elisa Steele to its senior management team as corporate vice president to lead marketing for Skype. In this role, Elisa will oversee Skype's global brand and marketing functions, as well as local go-to-market activities. Elisa will report to Skypepresident Tony Bates and will be based at Skype's office in Palo Alto.

"Skype is a global brand that has become part of the everyday lives of millions of people around the world," said Tony Bates, Skype's President. "Skype has always had a maniacal focus on building the best products in the world and now we are adding a world-class marketing leader to guide our brand's development and growth. Following a broad global search, we're excited to add Elisa Steele to our leadership ranks, as she possesses both the passion and experience to promote, protect and grow the Skype brand."

"I am very excited to join the team at Skype," said Elisa Steele. "Skype is known for innovation, excellent product experiences and a great brand. I am looking forward to working with the team and supporting the continued growth of the business globally."

Elisa has extensive experience leading global marketing at technology companies and joins Skype after serving as EVP and chief marketing officer at Yahoo. During her time at Yahoo, she was responsible for the company's global marketing strategy and functions including brand, consumer, business-business, research and insights, communications, policy, privacy, and regional marketing.

Prior to Yahoo, Elisa she was senior vice president of corporate marketing at NetApp, where she led a transformational global brand strategy for the company. She was responsible for the company's new strategic positioning and the execution of marketing programmes, communications, corporate relations, and integrated marketing functions.

Before NetApp, Elisa led Sun Microsystems' integrated marketing and merchandising organization, where she was responsible for global go-to-market initiatives, campaign execution, events, digital marketing, and installed-base marketing. Her experience also includes marketing management positions at iPlanet eCommerce Solutions and JavaSoft. Elisa was a top performing sales leader at AT&T for several years, producing revenue growth nationally and managing diverse sales organizations.

Elisa holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.