Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) vet Yusuf Mehdi will now lead much of the company’s online services, including marketing, business development, product management for MSN, and search, according to Kara at AllThingsD. However, CEO Steve Ballmer has yet to appoint an overall replacement for Kevin Johnson, who left his post as president of the platform and service division in July. We suggested earlier this month that Mehdi and Brian McAndrews, SVP-advertiser and publisher solutions, were the most likely contenders to fill Johnson’s shoes. Mehdi, along with McAndrews and Satya Nadella, SVP-search, portal & advertising, will be heading up different aspects of advertising in the company. Formerly SVP-strategic partnerships, he’ll now be responsible for part of the portfolio of SVP Bill Veghte, who will focus on leading Windows and Windows Live. 

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• Microsoft Reorg Means More Changes For MSN; Mehdi New “Advertising Strategist”