• by Laurie Sullivan , Yesterday

Neil Dhanowa, former global head of Display & Video 360, resigned in mid-August from Google to help build Microsoft’s AI advertising strategy.

Dhanowa expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with Microsoft on its AI advertising strategy, and reflected on his three-and-a-half years at Google, highlighting his work on the Google DV360 business and expressing pride in his team in his LinkedIn post on August 12, 2025.

“Trifecta of all major search companies complete now I guess,” he wrote.

At Google, Dhanowa helped to reshape market positioning, the value proposition and the internal workings of the DV360 business. He also spent time at Verizon Media, Yahoo, BrightRoll, IDG International Data, among others.  

He led the overall product strategy and direction for DV360, Google's platform for managing programmatic advertising campaigns, and focused on connected TV and live sports, media strategies and leveraging automation and Google AI to optimize campaign performance and workflows for advertisers. 

The move highlights a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) within the advertising sector, as Microsoft leverages AI to enhance campaign performance, personalize user experiences, and streamline workflows for advertisers.

Microsoft has been quiet about its AI advertising strategy, but it’s obvious that the company supports search and conversational experiences by integrating generative AI into Bing and Copilot.

Microsoft's AI tools, such as Copilot in Microsoft Advertising Platform, aim to assist with various aspects of campaign management, including asset generation, recommendations, and performance analysis.

“Absolute pleasure working with you,” Christopher Eden, head of programmatic media at Google AUNZ, wrote in the comments section of the post. “Best of luck in the next chapter and thanks for all you did to fly the flag for the DV360 business on a global level.”