Jim Lanzone has replaced Steve Berkowitz as CEO of IAC Search & Media, owner of Ask.com. Lanzone was promoted from his previous position as senior vice president and general manager of Ask.com and then CEO of Ask.com to fill the vacancy left when Berkowitz was poached by Microsoft.

In his new role at Microsoft, Berkowitz now is facing the difficult task of turning around the fortunes of MSN’s online business group, which has not been able to gain the desired traction so far. Berkowitz’s new responsibilities will include “MSN.com, MSNTV and MSN Internet Access programming, advertising sales, business development, and marketing for Live Platforms, MSN and Windows Live.”

At Ask.com, Berkowitz was credited with achieving the company’s turnaround during the past year, which saw Ask.com’s search market share, user base and customer satisfaction grow, and revenues double.

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