Successfully targeting enterprise technology buyers and investment in infrastructure challenges large end-user advisory firms and raises the bar for boutique analyst firms
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On Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010, the Altimeter Group announced that it is adding a partner to the existing staff of six partner/analysts. At the same time, Altimeter is moving into a significantly larger office space and adding additional non-analyst staff. All in all, these activities indicate that Altimeter’s partners know what it takes to develop clout in the marketplace (see Boutique Analyst Firms: Pretenders and Contenders). See below for a links to related posts.
New Partner – Michael Gartenberg
Today’s announcement is about the addition of Michael Gartenberg. Here is the background from an email sent to SageCircle by Altimeter founder and partner Charlene Li:
“… A hearty welcome to Michael Gartenberg, the newest partner to join Altimeter. With the addition of Michael, we now have seven partners along with a staff of five other people. We also recently moved offices in San Mateo to accommodate our new growth (more on that below).
Michael has been a long-time, respected voice in the space of personal and mobile technologies, and he brings to Altimeter a unique viewpoint of how these technologies are changing the consumer experience. Understanding how people use devices to connect with content and each other is an important linchpin in creating strategies around emerging technologies for our clients.
To that end, we’re looking forward to collaborating with Michael on many fronts. Jeremiah Owyang is focused on location-based and mobile marketing issues while Ray Wang is looking forward to exploring how enterprise apps can better develop and leverage mobile extensions. Michael’s focus on new innovations such as demand sensing via devices is right up Lora Cecere’s alley while Deb Schultz can’t wait to get Michael and his collection of gizmos into our upcoming Altimeter Labs experience. And as a self-professed geek, I personally am looking forward to tapping into Michael’s passion for consumer electronics and exploring with him how these devices will change how we interact. I believe we’re on the cusp of the next wave of innovation, which will be centered on contextually aware behaviors and data – if only we can properly address sticky issues like privacy.
At Altimeter we love to be faced with “wicked problems” that appear intractable. With Michael on board, we’re one step further on our quest to address on behalf of our clients how new technologies are impacting their businesses.
Michael is also an avid Twitter user and writes frequently on his blog, GartenBlog.net. Michael also writes regular columns at Computerworld, Engadget, and SlashGear. …”
Related posts:
- 1st Tuesday Analyst Relations Podcast – Altimeter Group
- KCG gets it wrong for analyst relations and research clients when it comes to impact on the analyst landscape caused by Gartner’s acquisitions
- With expansion and professionalism, Altimeter Group raises its relevance with both enterprises and vendor analyst relations
- Gartner surprised by new competitors that steal enterprise clients – Looking ahead to 2010
- Will there be “Altimeter envy” among some analysts at the largest firms? (What’s coming around the corner)
- Superstars Owyang and Wang joining Altimeter Group is not just about social media
Bottom Line: The hiring of analysts and support staff, investing in office space and infrastructure, aggressive research of new disruptive technologies, and targeting enterprises as prospects are hallmarks of an ambitious firm. A firm that is not content with resting on the prior accomplishments of its partners gives it enhanced credibility and relevance to both enterprises and vendors alike. Altimeter is exhibiting all the traits of a firm that is serious about extending its thought leadership and influence. This makes Altimeter a serious competitor to large advisory firms like Forrester, Gartner and Ovum whenever they meet head-to-head in a sales deal. At the same time, Altimeter is simultaneously putting pressure on small analyst boutiques and single practitioners by raising the expectations of clients and prospects, and by competing for the same spending. Again, Altimeter would be a very effective competitor to small firms in head-to-head sales deals.
Tags: Alan Webber, Altimeter Group, analyst relations, AR, Charlene Li, Jeremiah Owyang, Lora Cecere, Michael Gartenberg, R "Ray" Wang, Ray Wang
We are SO excited to have Michael. What he does fits like a glove into our culture, mindset, and background.
Personally, I see this as the next area to explore, as we look at the intersections between social (my coverage) and mobile (his world) expect some unique viewpoints to emerge.