One of the areas where Google struggles to compete against rivals is in messaging. On the consumer side, Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp are leaders. In enterprise services like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams and Skype lead Google. To help Google Chat, Google Meet, Duo, and Messages, the comapny is making some changes.
Google has moved Javier Soltero from its G Suite division to become the head of all messaging products. Former Microsoft employee Soltero joined Google last year. He already has experience with Google’s messaging services because Meet and Chat are part of G Suite.
However, in his new role, Soltero will take the helm of all Google messaging services under a unified division. It is worth pointing out the reshuffle does not mean Google has plans to unify its messaging services. Instead, the company seemingly wants to have a clearer vision for its various messaging applications.
The decision was confirmed by Soltero in a message to The Verge. He says Google will not unify the apps because the company believes “people make choices around the products that they use for specific purposes.”
Soltero will remain VP and GM of the company’s G Suite platform.
Official Confirmation
Google also followed up with an official announcement:
“We are bringing all of Google’s collective communication products together under one leader and unified team that will be led by Javier Soltero, VP and GM of G Suite. Javier will remain in Cloud, but will also join the leadership team under Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP of Platforms and Ecosystems. Outside of this update, there are no other changes to the personnel and Hiroshi will continue to play a significant role in our ongoing partnership efforts.”
Soltero is a former Microsoft employee. He left Redmond to lead G Suite as Google looks to compete with Office.
His departure from Microsoft was something of a surprise. In May 2018, Soltero moved to head up Microsoft’s Cortana voice assistant. By November of the same year he had left the company entirely.
