8x8 Hires RingCentral, Unify Vet to Lead EMEA Channel

8×8 has appointed Keith Jackson, previously with RingCentral, as director of channel sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

8×8’s Keith Jackson

In this role, Jackson will lead the business’ channel initiatives across the EMEA region, securing partnerships to drive customer acquisition and deployments.

“Over the coming months, we will be taking the already successful 8×8 partner business program to the next level,” he said. “8×8 is a channel-first business through and through, which is why I’m so pleased to be joining. The company already has a fantastic strategy in place, but I’m looking forward to everything 2020 has in store and to working with such a personable and driven team.”

At RingCentral, Jackson was SNR regional channel manager, and before that he was territory channel manager at Unify. He also held channel leadership roles with Gigaset and HP/Ingram Micro.

Jackson will be building on 8×8’s existing EMEA channel program. 8×8 already works with partners to develop quarterly and yearly marketing plans, including co-branded events, demand-generation campaigns, digital assets and PR support. The program also offers partners ongoing education courses on how to sell and service 8×8 products.

“Our success is completely entwined with that of the channel – we want to continue our rapid expansion and the development of our innovative technology, and the only way to do that is together with our partners,” said John DeLozier, 8×8‘s senior vice president and global channel chief. “We welcome Keith to the team and under his leadership we’re confident our channel initiatives will continue to grow and outstanding results will be achieved.”