Head of Ask.com Hired by Microsoft

Microsoft Corp. hired Steve Berkowitz, head of IAC/InterActiveCorp’s Ask.com, to lead its MSN unit, which is battling search leader Google Inc. for Web users.

Berkowitz will be senior vice president of Microsoft’s online business group, responsible for marketing, sales and business development at the MSN unit and Windows Live, Microsoft said. He replaces David Cole.

Microsoft is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on its MSN Search to attract users and challenge Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. for a greater share of the online advertising market. Berkowitz was chief executive of Ask.com and helped the site maintain its share of Internet searches over the last year.

From Bloomberg News

* Microsoft Corp. is developing a service that would allow computer users to store files on the Internet to boost use of its Windows Live software.