Microsoft has formed an Online Business Group, with MSN's Yusuf Mehdi as its chief advertising strategist, to house ad sales, business development and marketing for the company's Live, Windows Live and MSN, reports ClickZ. In restructuring its Platforms and Services Division, Microsoft also set up a Windows Live Platform Group for back-end infrastructure services and a Market Expansion Group for emerging markets.

Last fall's reorganization brought MSN and Windows together; afterward, Microsoft announced its Windows Live plans and promoted Joanne Bradford to oversee it all as VP of global sales and trade marketing.

"Expanding the capabilities of our Windows Live platform, extending our reach and impact with and to advertisers, continuing to enhance our search offering, and building out our operational infrastructure are critical to our long-term success," Kevin Johnson, co-president of the Platforms and Services Division, is quoted as saying.