Microsoft announced yesterday that it had hired Tony Scott, 56, as its new CIO, reaching for an experienced executive from Walt Disney where he led a major IT infrastructure upgrade. Tony Scott replaces Stuart Scott who was fired in November for violating company policies that were never publicly spelled out [0]. Scott will report to Chief operating officer Kevin Turner. Turner said the new CIO will focus on making the most out of Microsoft's IT investments along with sharing best practices with other high-level IT executives. In addition to his work at Walt Disney, Tony Scott's background includes a stint at General Motors, where he was the chief technology officer, as well as experience as the vice president of operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb. "Our internal IT systems and operations play a critical role in the success of our business and how we deliver new technologies and advancements to our customers in the marketplace," Turner said. "We will leverage Tony's deep experience in running global IT organizations...to achieve the highest level of business value by utilizing IT."

For more on Microsoft's new CIO:

- See this press release [1]