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Sharon Baylay has been appointed Director of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Marketing, Communications and Audiences division.

Sharon, until recently General Manager of Microsoft Online Services Division UK, joins the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Executive Board and succeeds Tim Davie, who was appointed Director of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Audio & Music last year.

In her new role, Sharon will lead more than 400 staff responsible for marketing, communications, audience research and audience services across the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳.

Announcing the appointment, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Director-General Mark Thompson said: "The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s relationship with our audience has never been more important than it is today. Sharon's passion, energy and leadership will help ensure the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ keeps the needs and views of our audiences at the forefront of everything we do. Her experience of relating to audiences in different environments will be especially valuable."

Sharon Baylay said: "It is a privilege to join the world's leading broadcaster at this important time. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ plays a unique and special role in the UK and across the world, a role that feels especially important right now. I very much look forward to working with the many talented professionals in the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Marketing, Communications and Audiences Division in supporting the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and helping to deliver maximum value to audiences."

As General Manager of Microsoft Online Services, Sharon had responsibility for the growth and development of the company's Windows Live and MSN businesses, including the recent acquisition of Multimap.

She joined Microsoft in 1993, holding a range of marketing and management roles, running the international MSN businesses in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Greater China and the Americas before her most recent role.

Under Sharon Baylay's leadership, MSN were a founding member of the Government-led cooperative effort to address the growing problem of cyberbullying. 

Microsoft is also a member of the Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the internet and Sharon was instrumental in ensuring that the good practice recommendations were reviewed and in most cases adopted by the business. 

She also oversaw MSN's participation in the Internet Watch Foundation.

Sharon began her professional career at Olivetti and Computacentre, working on IBM, Apple and Compaq, and is a holder of a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Press Office