NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NS1, a leader in next-generation application networking, announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Warren Mead, vice president of channel and strategic accounts and head of the NS1 Global Channel Partner Program, to its 2020 list of Channel Chiefs. This annual list recognizes the top vendor executives who continually demonstrate exemplary leadership, influence, innovation, and growth for the IT channel.
In his first six months at NS1, Mead built the foundation of the Global Channel Partner Program for systems integrators, managed service providers, and resellers to augment their offerings with NS1’s high-performance application delivery solutions built for modern infrastructure. Among its first 20 partners is Promark Technology, a U.S.-focused distributor and subsidiary of Ingram Micro (NYSE:IM). Mead also established a strategic alliance with Cisco, bringing NS1’s software-defined, API-first approach in the DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (DDI) market to work alongside Cisco Umbrella’s enterprise approach to network security.
“A big impact on our channel strategy is that organizations are racing to adopt modern infrastructure and application delivery strategies — such as hybrid and multi-cloud, microservices, and edge computing. This drive toward new computing approaches creates unique challenges in application networking that NS1 solutions are designed to address,” said Mead. “By constantly engaging with our partners and adding value to their businesses, we’re making it easy for them to sell to their customers, while providing industry-leading recurring revenue opportunities. To date, we have signed strategic partners that align with our go-to-market strategy and our goal for FY2020 is to source 50% of all of our sales qualified opportunities through our worldwide partnerships.”
Now a three-time CRN Channel Chief, Mead has 20 years of experience in channel marketing and business development management. Prior to joining NS1, he served as the vice president of global channel and business development at Nasuni to build up its channel and alliances for its cloud storage solution. Mead spent several years building SpeechWorks (now Nuance; Nasdaq: NUAN) from its first customers to a $160M public company with the 12th most successful IPO of 2000. At Virtual Iron, he launched a sales model that brought in more than 3,000 customers and secured an acquisition by Oracle in 2009. He also led a successful turnaround at Akorri Networks that resulted in an acquisition by NetApp in 2011. Mead holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Marist College and Leeds Trinity University.
CRN’s 2020 Channel Chiefs list honors the distinguished leaders who have influenced the IT channel with cutting-edge strategies and partnerships. The 2020 Channel Chiefs have shown outstanding commitment, an ability to lead, and a passion for progress within the channel through their partner programs. The Channel Chief honorees were chosen by the CRN editorial staff for their dedication, industry prestige, and exceptional accomplishments in driving the channel agenda and evangelizing the importance of channel partnerships.
“The IT channel is undergoing constant evolution to meet customer demands and changing business environments,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “CRN’s Channel Chiefs work tirelessly, leading the industry forward through superior partner programs and strategies with a focus on helping solution providers transform and grow. The Channel Company congratulates these outstanding individuals for their dedication to the channel.”
CRN’s 2020 Channel Chiefs list will be featured in the February 2020 issue of CRN magazine and online at www.CRN.com/ChannelChiefs.
About NS1
NS1 automates the deployment and delivery of the world’s most trafficked internet and enterprise applications. Its software-defined, next-generation application networking stack modernizes DNS, DHCP, and IPAM—the familiar and universal foundations of all network and internet services—to unlock unprecedented automation, visibility, and control in today’s complex, heterogeneous environments. NS1 has more than 500 customers worldwide, including LinkedIn, Dropbox, Pitney Bowes, Bleacher Report, and The Guardian, and is backed by investments from Dell Technologies, Cisco Investments, and GGV Capital.
About The Channel Company
The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com
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