The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

October 1, 2013 | 1 min read

Outgoing Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has delivered an emotional farewell speech to staff in his last company-wide speech for the tech giant.

With ‘(I’ve had) The Time of My Life playing in the background Ballmer fought back tears to say, “Microsoft is like a fourth child for me. Children leave the home, but I guess in this case I'm leaving the home."

Previously, Ballmer has hinted that the abruptness of his departure was not of his own choosing and that his hand may have been forced by management.

Ballmer has been with the software provider since 1980, a spell of 30 years.and has overseen the successful launch o products such as Windows XP and Xbox360.

A Microsoft committee is currently evaluating candidates to succeed Steve Ballmer as Microsoft's chief executive, with the contenders including Stephen Elop, Steven Sinofsky and Satya Nadella. Ford chief executive Alan Mulally.

Microsoft Steve Ballmer

More from Microsoft

View all