Cox Business Relaunches Agent Program to Simplify Engagement

**Editor’s Note: Click here for a list of July’s important channel-program changes you should know.**

CHANNEL PARTNERS EVOLUTION — Cox Business has realigned and enhanced its Agent Program to provide a more consistent experience for agents and master agent across all markets.

John Muscarella, Cox Business director of sales channels and programs, talked with us about the program during this week’s Channel Partners Evolution in Washington, D.C.

Last month, Sandler Partners announced that it would become one of Cox’s first master agents in the relaunched program. This partnership will allow Sandler’s more than 3,400 technology sales partners, agents, VARs and MSPs to sell Cox Business services in multiple Cox markets.

“We reinvigorated our relationship with Sandler Partners and CarrierSales,” Muscarella said. “We had relationships with them, but with the relaunch … we re-engaged them to our new program and getting them on board. So it’s a great opportunity, they’re both master agents, so we’re really excited about working with them.”{ad}

Alan Sandler, founder and managing partner for Sandler Partners, said “we’re excited to be integral to the launch of Cox Business’ broader program.”

“Many of our agent partners encounter interest in the Cox Business brand in the field, and this expanded relationship will make it even easier for them to facilitate Cox Business services, especially for multilocation customers,” he said.

The relaunched program provides more access to tools and resources to help partners succeed, Muscarella said.

“Instead of one market, like a Las Vegas, operating independently than a San Diego, we’re all operating under the same umbrella now,” he said.

Cox Business has relaunched its web portal with more marketing materials, self-paced training and access to agents, Muscarella said.

“Also, we reviewed, updated or modernized our commission schedule,” he said.

Muscarella said partners have given him the “thumbs up” regarding the relaunched program.

Technology has been a big driver from the standpoint of the customer’s networks changing, he said.

“They’ve gone from … frame relay to MPLS, and now from MPLS to software-defined networks,” Muscarella said. “So the need that they have for network has changed. We’re seeing a lot more requests for the types of network products and services that we offer … to help supplement the customer’s network. So we’ve been very successful in that area.”

Cox Business is looking to bring on more agents, he said.

“We see the opportunity to be growing our indirect channel more aggressively because of the opportunity it presents to help Cox be successful, as well as helping our agents be successful,” Muscarella said. “So it’s just untapped opportunity for us that we’re trying to take advantage of.”