Ex-Motorola exec becomes Microsoft EMEA marketing VP

Following a week of rumors and feverish speculation, Microsoft recently confirmed that former Motorola marketing chief Jeremy Dale has been appointed the vice president of retail sales and marketing for its Entertainment and Devices division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In layman's terms, he'll be overseeing the marketing of Xbox and Windows products in the EMEA region. In extreme layman's terms, he'll make people want to buy Microsoft's stuff.

Dale's ability to push product has been witnessed in the gaming arena before -- he once served as the commercial and marketing director for Nintendo UK, during which time he oversaw the European Pokémon invasion. Sure, those adorable buggers practically sell themselves -- but still, it sounds like Dale will be a valuable asset for Microsoft's overseas operations.