LogMeIn Hires Datto Veteran Kohn for MSP, Channel Push

LogMeIn (NASDAQ:LOGM) has hired Shannon Kohn as a channel engagement manager, reporting to VP Ted Roller. Together, Roller and Kohn will work to accelerate LogMeIn’s momentum with MSPs, VARs and other types of channel partners. Here’s the update.

First, a little background: LogMeIn CEO Michael Simon has been talking up the company’s MSP push for most of 2013, noting that 36 percent of MSPmentor 501 companies leverage LogMeIn’s software. But Simon wants to lift that figure even higher.

Enter Roller and Kohn, a CRN Channel Chief for 2013. Roller joined LogMeIn in late 2012 from Intronis, the cloud-based backup company that works closely with MSPs. And now Kohn joins the company from Datto, the fast-growing BDR (backup and disaster recovery) company focused on MSPs.

“I’ve always been impressed with Shannon’s efforts at Datto,” said Roller. “They’ve had a meteoric rise — both in terms of their products and the company’s position in the channel. Shannon had a massive impact on Datto’s success and I wanted to work with her. So it’s great to have her joining LogMeIn.”

So what initiatives can we expect from Roller, Kohn and the LogMeIn channel team? I think the big opportunity involves the fact that LogMeIn offers multiple cloud-based services for remote control, file sharing, systems management, data backup, collaboration and on-demand customer support. Those solutions support PCs, servers, Macs, smartphones and other IP endpoints. Among the services I’d watch closely: Cubby, an emerging LogMeIn alternative to Box, DropBox and other file-sharing services.

Product and service diversity is “one of the things that attracted me to the company,” said Roller. Kohn echoed that statement, noting that LogMeIn is a household name in the channel. “If I had the opportunity to drive home one message, it’s that we’re serious about the channel,” said Roller.

Meanwhile, Datto continues to march forward with its channel-focused business. The company in December hired Dana Prestigiacomo as VP of marketing, and she’s been focused on channel engagement activities ever since. Prestigiacomo says Datto will hire a replacement for Kohn. And in the meantime, Datto remains on the road at channel-centric events hosted by ASCII, HTG and other industry organizations.