"Microsoft confirmed it will shut down Skype this May, slipping the news into an update with all the fanfare of a software patch. A flat note: "Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams." No grand farewell. No tribute to one of the most culturally significant tech brands of the internet era. And that silence is telling."
"Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5bn. It wasn't buying the code - it was buying a brand with global reach and cultural clout. Yet, when the pandemic hit and remote work exploded, Skype didn't just falter. It was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Zoom - a lesser-known player at the time - became the default. And Microsoft, sensing Skype's inertia, placed its bets on Teams."
Microsoft is shutting down Skype in May with minimal fanfare, signaling the end of a culturally significant brand. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5bn, gaining global reach and recognition. During the pandemic, Zoom emerged as the dominant choice for remote communication while Skype failed to meet the moment. Skype's product became bloated, confusing, and unfocused, whereas Zoom offered simplicity and reliability. Microsoft shifted focus to Teams as Skype lost relevance. The case shows that brand awareness alone cannot sustain market leadership and that clarity, product performance, and timely execution determine success.
Read at The Drum
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