Mark Penn will take a new role at Microsoft as EVP, Chief Strategy Officer.

The claim is that Mark Penn takes up the role of EVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Microsoft. True: Microsoft records, such as a dated announcement, its leadership page or SEC filings, show Penn holding the title EVP, Chief Strategy Officer after March 2014. Mostly true: he took the strategy role under a slightly different title, e.g. without the EVP designation. Mostly false: he took a different, lesser role rather than the strategy role. False: positive evidence that he never assumed the role, such as an announcement that he left Microsoft instead or a rescinded appointment.

Set before the research began.

1. E1 Microsoft makes pollster Penn head of strategy, exact role unclear Chicago Tribune (Reuters) · 3 March 2014

   “In the newly created job of chief strategy officer, Penn’s “blend of data analysis and creativity” will be applied across new product areas and strategic investments, not just marketing, new Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella told employees in a memo.”

2. E2 Microsoft makes pollster Penn head of strategy, exact role unclear Chicago Tribune (Reuters) · 3 March 2014

   “It is not clear if the new job is a promotion or a sideways move for Penn.”

3. E3 Memo: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella looks to find perfect ‘swing’ with leadership changes GeekWire · 3 March 2014

   “In addition, Mark Penn, the former aide to President Bill Clinton and previously an executive vice president overseeing advertising and strategy, will be named chief strategy officer.”

On the day of the announcement, Reuters reported that Penn was given the newly created job of chief strategy officer (E1), and GeekWire reported that he would be named chief strategy officer (E3). The independent reports confirm the strategy role but do not confirm the "EVP" part of the new title; E3 only describes his previous job as executive vice president. Reuters also said the exact scope of the job was unclear (E2). Because the evidence confirms the appointment to the strategy role but not the full title as stated, the claim is rated mostly true.