Microsoft to streamline marketing

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Microsoft Corp. said it was working to streamline its marketing team with one newspaper in Seattle saying the move will mean the loss of 200 jobs.

Sources told the Seattle Times that the job reductions were intended to reduce redundant workloads and clarify responsibilities.

In a statement, Microsoft said it was "taking steps to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing and to strengthen the career paths for marketers at Microsoft."

The Times reported Thursday that separate product divisions would have more say over advertising, although a central marketing office would coordinate the various marketing efforts.

As part of the streamlining, the company was reducing 60 job titles down to seven, the newspaper said.