Microsoft has hired cable and telecommunications industry veteran Maggie Wilderotter as senior vice president of business strategy.

Wilderotter was most recently president and CEO of Wink Communications, an interactive TV company that provides interactive enhancements to advertisers, cable and broadcast for TV ads and programs. Liberty Media-controlled OpenTV recently bought Wink for $100 million and embarked on layoffs.

Wilderotter's addition to Microsoft positions the software giant to potentially explore the iTV market she left at Wink.

"Wilderotter has the depth and experience to help take our business strategy to the next level," said Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief technical officer for Advanced Strategies and Policy.