# Lynne Kjolso

> Lynne Kjolso is VP of Global Partner and Retail Media at Microsoft Advertising, where she leads the company's retail media strategy and global partner ecosystem. A philosophy PhD turned digital advertising executive, she has spent over 15 years at Microsoft shaping search, retail, and commerce media. Named to Ad Age's Tech Power List 2024 and The List 2025, she is a leading voice on retail media standardization, gaming as an advertising frontier, and the intersection of AI and commerce.

- **Role:** VP, Global Partner and Retail Media at Microsoft Advertising
- **Organizations:** Microsoft, Microsoft Advertising
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA, Sociology, Kenyon College, Master's degree, Philosophy, New School University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Philosophy, New School University
- **Known for:** Named to Ad Age Tech Power List 2024, Named to Ad Age The List 2025, Led the launch of Retail Media Creative Studio, Microsoft's generative AI-powered banner ad solution

## Career timeline

- **Early 2000s** — Started career in startups during early internet era, focused on multi-channel customer experience
- **Mid 2000s** — Communications Director at AT&T
- **Mid 2000s** — Communications Director at Expedia; joined after a client asked her to lead customer experience work for Expedia.com
- **2007** — Joined Microsoft, initially reviewing millions of listings on LiveSearch.com
- **2007-2012** — Progressed into sales management at Microsoft MSN/Bing Ads
- **2012-2015** — Director, EMEA Search Sales and Service; involved in global partnership launches with Yahoo
- **2015-2018** — Global General Manager, Search Sales & Service; drove global search revenue across Europe, Asia, and North America
- **2018-2020** — Global Vice President, Advertising Business Team; guided long-range planning for Microsoft Advertising
- **2020-2022** — VP of Global Corporate Sales at Microsoft Advertising
- **2022-present** — VP of Global Partner and Retail Media at Microsoft Advertising; leading retail media ecosystem strategy
- **2024** — Named to Ad Age Tech Power List 2024
- **2025** — Named to Ad Age The List 2025

## Achievements

- Named to Ad Age Tech Power List 2024
- Named to Ad Age The List 2025
- Led the launch of Retail Media Creative Studio, Microsoft's generative AI-powered banner ad solution
- Spearheaded Microsoft Advertising's new commerce media innovations including Curate for Commerce and Sponsored Promotions by Brands
- Drove global search revenue and advertiser satisfaction across Europe, Asia, and North America as Global GM of Search Sales & Service
- Managed the rollout and unwind of the Yahoo-Microsoft Search Alliance partnership
- Speaker at CES, Advertising Week APAC (2018, 2019), and major industry conferences
- LinkedIn profile: 'People-First Mobilizer | Diversity & Inclusion Champion'

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Led announcement of Microsoft Advertising's new commerce media innovations: Curate for Commerce and Sponsored Promotions by Brands (SPB)
- **2025-01** — Named to Ad Age The List 2025
- **2024-07** — Featured in Beet.TV discussing 'Gaming Is The Next Streaming' and gaming's advertising potential
- **2024-07** — Microsoft Advertising announced Retail Media Creative Studio, a generative AI-powered banner ad solution she led
- **2024-07** — Criteo announced collaboration with Microsoft Advertising on retail media growth, with Kjolso as key Microsoft spokesperson
- **2024** — Named to Ad Age Tech Power List 2024

## Links

- Website: https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/author/lynne-kjolso
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynne-kjolso-71775226/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/lynnekjolso
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnekjolso/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lynne-kjolso
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-31