Time Inc. Vet Domeniconi to Head Microsoft U.S. Ad Sales

Microsoft has put the former Media Group president at Time Inc. in charge of domestic ad sales for its vast media properties and network partners.

As VP U.S., Microsoft Advertising, Robin Domeniconi will oversee audience sales representing a large swath of the U.S. Internet audience, including visitors to MSN, Live Search, and a network of media partners that includes Facebook and WSJ Digital.

Sales responsibility for MSN is now split between two executives. While Domeniconi will handle sales for the U.S. audience, global sales are led by Gregg Albright, senior director of Microsoft digital advertising solutions. Albright was hired over the summer, and both he and Domeniconi report to Bill Shaughnessy, the global sales and marketing VP. Shaughnessy in turn reports to Brian McAndrews, SVP of Microsoft Advertiser and Publisher Solutions.

Domeniconi was most recently with Avista Capital as senior advisor on media and digital initiatives. Prior to that, she was president of the Media Group at Time, Inc., and before that she led “Real Simple” magazine as publisher and president.

“While I have enjoyed my advisory work, I am an operator at heart and looking forward to returning to a leadership role in the media industry,” she said in a statement.

In addition to the portal, search and network properties, Domeniconi will also oversee sales for Windows Live, Office Live, and Xbox LIVE, among other units.

Microsoft sites ranked third in U.S. traffic in September, attracting over 122 million unique visitors, according to comScore Media Metrix. Google and Yahoo sites came in first and second place, respectively.

In a statement about the appointment, Microsoft said, “Robin’s addition to our talented and dedicated team is another step towards our vision of operating the preeminent advertising platform that enables our advertiser, agency and publisher customers to engage with their audiences in highly targeted, profitable and innovative ways.”

Note: An earlier version of this story said Domeniconi fills a role previously held by Joanne Bradford. While Bradford did at one time oversee sales, her focus prior to leaving the company was on marketing and growth, according to Microsoft.