Avaya Picks Gartner UC/CC Analyst as CMO

Avaya has appointed Simon Harrison, previously with Gartner, to the newly created position of senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

As CMO, Harrison will engage new and existing Avaya customers and partners, drive adoption of the company’s software solutions and support Avaya in digital communications. He was Gartner’s research director and lead analyst for the unified communications and contact center industry.

Avaya’s Simon Harrison

“Addressing the needs of the experience economy requires a fundamentally new way of thinking,” he said. “Smartphones, watches, TVs, home devices and a growing number of ways for customers and employees to engage means companies must rely on a different type of communications and collaboration solution provider. Avaya provides a much broader array of technologies than people realize, and a market-defining ecosystem to help companies be successful in this new era of experiences, every day. I’m excited to join the team and help lead the effort to ensure the world knows about this and to ultimately make customers, employees and partners even more successful.”

Forrest Monroy, Avaya’s global head of communications, tells Channel Partners a key aspect of his company’s 2020 strategy is to continue transforming the Avaya brand as the company that is “shaping cloud communications, and to continuing bolstering our partner ecosystem.”

“We’re excited about Simon coming to Avaya and bringing his unique perspective and deep understanding of the market to strengthen our brand and our engagement with partners,” he said.

In a career spanning more than 25 years, Harrison has been a thought leader, product strategist, marketer and consultant in the communications solutions industry. Prior to Gartner, he held leadership roles in marketing, sales, product marketing and product management for companies like Cirrus, Vocalcom, Siebel Systems and others.

“As we continue to shape cloud communications for the enterprise, I am excited that Simon, a recognized and respected industry leader with deep expertise and an exceptional track record, will be heading our marketing efforts,” said Jim Chirico, Avaya’s president and CEO. “He is a tremendous addition to our team, and with the market insights and unique perspectives acquired from his work as an analyst and adviser, Simon will drive deeper awareness and preference for Avaya solutions with our expanding global network of customers and partners, strengthening our position as their communications partner of choice.”