Microsoft hires ex-Disney exec as CIO

Microsoft has hired a former Disney and General Motors executive as chief information officer and corporate vice president.

Tony Scott will manage Microsoft's global information technology unit from February, reporting to chief operating officer Kevin Turner.

Scott replaces Stuart Scott, who was fired in November after violating company policy.

Microsoft said that Tony Scott brings more than 25 years of experience running global IT operations for leading corporations.

Scott served most recently as senior vice president and chief information officer at Disney, where he was the first CIO to manage companywide IT.

Scott led Disney through a major transformation, which included improving the reliability and effectiveness of the company's information systems, shifting focus more towards employee enablement, and upgrading core IT infrastructure reliability.

Before joining Disney, Scott served as chief technology officer at General Motors and vice president of operations at Bristol-Meyers Squibb.

"Our internal IT systems and operations play a critical role in the success of our business and how we deliver new technologies and advancements to our customers in the marketplace," said Turner.

"As Microsoft's biggest user of our products and solutions, Tony and the IT team will drive our solutions and deployment throughout our enterprise and provide valuable input and feedback to our product groups."