Business News
Ken Bado of Autodesk Named Channel Chief by CRN
Tuesday 26. February 2008 - Leader in Digital Design Software Sets Industry Standard in Development of World-Class Channel Partner Network
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today announced that Ken Bado, executive vice president of Sales and Services, has been named a 2008 Channel Chief by CRN, the flagship publication of CMP Channel and the No. 1 destination for technology vendors and marketers looking to reach the $373 billion Solution Provider channel. CRN Channel Chiefs are recognized as influential executives who consistently defend, promote and execute effective channel partner programs and strategies.
“I’m honored to receive this award on behalf of the entire Autodesk team that is committed to supporting our channel partners,” said Bado. “Solution providers are instrumental in delivering Autodesk’s industry-leading digital design solutions to our customers. We continue to dedicate the best resources towards ongoing professional and business development to ensure our valued partners have the tools, resources and support needed to achieve successful business results.”
Since Bado’s arrival at Autodesk in 2004, he has continued to strengthen one of Autodesk’s most valued assets – an enviable global network of 1700 channel partners. These channel partners are primarily responsible for delivering Autodesk’s digital design innovation solutions to customers across multiple industries, including architecture, engineering and construction, manufacturing, automotive, utilities, telecommunications and government and gaming, TV and film. This year, Bado was selected to be a CRN Channel Chief for bolstering the company’s relationship with its partners through a number of new initiatives including: establishing a distinguished reseller recognition program, implementing a customer engagement program which has helped increase partner solutions sales, investing in channel capability through immersive training, and creating a channel partner Web portal designed to provide channel partners fast, easy access to a wealth of materials, program information and news.
This is the sixth consecutive year that CRN has developed the Channel Chief list. Top Channel Chiefs were chosen based on criteria including policy and program innovations made during the past year, the amount of revenue their company generates through partners, their willingness to speak out publicly on behalf of the channel, and the number of years they have dedicated to channel activities.
“Successful channel programs and strategies help fuel the booming Solution Provider ecosystem, and each of this year’s Channel Chiefs should be applauded for building and advocating the most successful of those programs and strategies,” said Dan Dignam, vice president and publisher of CMP Channel.