The news was confirmed by his former colleague Mike Ybarra on social media. Penello was considered a key voice behind the growth of the Xbox brand and left a noticeable mark on the industry.
I spoke with Albert about a month before his death. He remained cheerful and surprisingly positive, despite his illness. He was kind, generous, and passionate about video games. His energy and contribution to Xbox were invaluable, especially in working with players.
Ybarra expressed support for Penello's wife and his 12-year-old daughter.
Penello worked for 18 years at Microsoft after experience at EA, held key positions and headed Xbox marketing, shaping the brand's image and relationship with the audience. In 2018, he left, continuing to work in technology and marketing, including Amazon Web Services, and also engaged in creative projects and crowdfunding.
Penello possessed a strategic vision and a sincere passion for video games, leaving a noticeable mark on the history of Xbox and modern marketing.