Oh this has to be a huge score for MSN. On the flip side, it might not be doing wonders for Ask.com, though. Guess not everyone can come out ahead.

Steve Berkowitz, head of Ask.com and the man who has helped steered that service to new successes, has been hired by Microsoft to run its online business group.

Steve will be senior vice president of MSN’s Online Business Group. Microsoft says:

He will be responsible for running the Online Business group, which includes include MSN.com, MSNTV and MSN Internet Access programming, advertising sales, business development, and marketing for Live Platforms, MSN and Windows Live. This team’s mission is to deliver world-class go to market leadership, that wins customers to our services and builds a world leading advertising business. The responsibility for the monetization of our Live Platform, MSN and Windows Live assets is owned by this team, and includes end-to-end management of the online P&L.

Steve is currently CEO of IAC Search & Media, which encompasses Ask. His start date with MSN is May 8. The New York Times reports that Steve’s job at Ask is now being assumed by IAC Search & Media president Doug Lebda.

The news of Steve’s hire was sent out to MSN employees on Friday with this announcement from Kevin Johnson, Microsoft’s copresident of the platforms & services division…. Source: SearchEngineWatch

Tags: msn, new york times, windows live, ask.com