Microsoft Xbox Strategy and Marketing Executive to Join Apple?

MCV reports that Richard Teversham, Microsoft's senior director of business, insights and strategy for Xbox, is departing the company to take a position at Apple. Teversham reportedly will take on an "education-related" role in Apple's European office. Focused on EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), Teversham had been at Microsoft for the past 15 years and worked on business aspects of Xbox since its launch in 2002.

Teversham had worked at Microsoft for over 15 years. He held the role of Xbox director for platform and marketing between 2005 and 2007 before becoming strategy boss.

A Microsoft spokesperson told MCV this week: "We can confirm that Richard Teversham, director of business, insights and strategy, has taken a new opportunity outside of Microsoft. A process is underway for recruiting his replacement."

While Teversham's role at Apple remains unclear, the addition of a significant player in Microsoft's international strategy and marketing for Xbox suggests the possibility of Apple further increasing its efforts in the gaming industry. In particular, Apple has been positioning the iPod touch as a gaming platform in much of its promotional material.