Microsoft: we did not hire Erin McNaught
By Staff reporters
Contrary to widespread reports that Microsoft had hired TV show presenter and former Miss Australia Erin McNaught as an IT “poster” girl, Microsoft has stated emphatically there is no financial arrangement of any description between itself and McNaught.
In an email to TECH.BLORGE.com Microsoft said it has not hired McNaught, nor does it plan any advertising campaign featuring McNaught
According to Microsoft, McNaught did attend the Start Here, Go Anywhere event which was staged by the Australian Information Industry Assocuation (AIIA), with Microsoft support, at the Tech Ed Conference, but her role was unpaid.
“She was a replacement provided by Channel 10 when a previous presenter had backed out,” Microsoft said.
“She was there due to her enthusiasm and commitment to technology and her role as a presenter on Channel 10’s CyberShack show.”
Microsoft also pointed out that Ms McNaught was not the keynote presenter at the event.
Michael Furdyk, CEO and founder of Taking It Global, was the keynote presenter and “inspired” the 800 students and teachers who attended the event. Ms McNaught was involved as a presenter but was not the main keynote.
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August 11th, 2007
Why is Microsoft so keen to dismiss these allegations? I mean, Microsoft *should* hire McNaught as an IT Poster girl. What’s the big deal? She is one of the few women in the IT industry, talk it up.