Microsoft AI's CMO is leaving as the company rethinks consumer marketing efforts

Andréa Mallard is leaving Microsoft AI, where she served as chief marketing officer.

Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Pinterest Microsoft AI's chief marketing officer, Andréa Mallard, is leaving the company.

She joined Microsoft's AI unit in January.

Her exit reflects a strategy shift, with Microsoft recently merging its consumer and business Copilot apps.

Microsoft AI's chief marketing officer, Andréa Mallard, started transitioning out of her post about six months after being appointed to the role, Business Insider has learned.

In an internal email, Microsoft announced that Mallard, who joined Microsoft's AI unit from Pinterest in January, plans to leave the company.

In the June 30 memo, viewed by Business Insider, Microsoft executive Yusuf Mehdi said Mallard planned to relocate her family to Europe in August to be closer to her father, who was unwell, and that this would result in her stepping back from her role.

Microsoft confirmed Mallard's departure plans and said she'll stay on until early next year as an advisor.

"I'm grateful for the incredible energy and consumer-centric ethos she's brought to turbo-charging our Copilot marketing efforts; Andrea has played a key role in advocating for a more unified approach, including the single app experience," the memo said.

Two people familiar with the matter said Mallard's departure also reflected a recent change in strategy at Microsoft AI as the company rethinks consumer marketing.

Microsoft is merging its consumer and business Copilot apps into a single application.

Copilot, Microsoft's flagship generative AI product, generally lags behind other AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude.

Copilot marketing is being consolidated under Microsoft executive Jared Spataro.

Microsoft AI doesn't plan to directly replace Mallard's role.