Advertise with Googlier.com The IIAR> Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations https://analystrelations.org The IIAR> is a not-for-profit organisation established to raise awareness of analyst relations and the value of industry analysts, promote best practice amongst analyst relations professionals, enhance communication between analyst firms and vendors, and offer opportunities for analyst relations practitioners to network with their industry peers. Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:20:28 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/analystrelations.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cropped-Icon_IIAR_RVB.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 The IIAR> Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations https://analystrelations.org 32 32 2278157 Meet the new face of the IIAR> North America chapter in around 10 Questions with Susanne Gossage from CGI https://analystrelations.org/2026/11/02/around-in-10-questions-susanne-gossage-from-cgi-in-10-questions/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/11/02/around-in-10-questions-susanne-gossage-from-cgi-in-10-questions/#respond Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:24:00 +0000 Around In 10 Questions]]> NA Chapter]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339242 's new North America Chapter Lead. In our latest Around in 10 Questions, Susanne shares her journey into Analyst Relations, her views on the evolving analyst landscape and why influence matters more than ever. She also discusses the growing role of AI, building stronger analyst relationships and her vision for the future of AR. Get to know Susanne and discover her insights into the profession!]]> A professional portrait of Susanne Gossage, Global Lead Analyst Relations at CGI, posing with arms crossed. She is wearing a black top and a statement necklace, set against a light background with abstract blue designs.

10 Questions with Susanne Gossage from CGI

Today’s IIAR> Around in 10 questions interview is with Susanne Gossage / Global Analyst relations Lead, CGI (LinkedIn) and our new IIAR> North America Chapter Co-Lead.

1. What’s been your career path to becoming an AR pro?

I took a slightly circuitous route into AR, which I think has made me better at it. I started in PR and communications, largely with technology companies, and then moved into global marketing and strategy.

At KPMG, I led global marketing for Data & Analytics, AI and Intelligent Automation, which put me in regular contact with analysts. I realized I really enjoyed the combination of relationship-building, market intelligence and strategy, and eventually moved into leading Global Analyst Relations there. I joined CGI in 2022 to lead and rebuild the global AR program.

So I came to AR as a communicator and marketer rather than through a traditional research route. More than 20 years in MarCom has shaped how I approach the job: understand your audience, find the actual story, back it up with evidence and don’t assume that saying more makes the story better.

It also means I naturally think about both sides of AR: what we want analysts to understand about CGI, and what we’re learning from analysts that the business needs to hear.

2. What are your opinions of the IT Analyst Marketplace and where do you see it going?

The traditional firms still have enormous influence, particularly with enterprise technology buyers, but the market is becoming more fragmented and specialized.

AI is also changing how research is produced and consumed. There’s no shortage of information anymore. What’s valuable is informed judgement from someone who really understands a market, talks regularly to buyers and is prepared to have an opinion.

For AR teams, that means being smarter about where influence actually sits. Bigger isn’t automatically better. For a particular industry, technology or buying decision, the analyst who matters most may be at a specialist firm.

I also think we need to be careful about equating AR success with mentions and rankings. Of course they matter, but they’re intermediate measures. I’m more interested in whether an analyst influences a buyer to consider CGI, whether their perspective changes how we think, or whether they help us spot something happening in the market that we hadn’t seen ourselves.

3. What’s your typical day like?

A really important part of my day is my team. I consider myself a servant leader, so my job is to make sure people have the support, tools and context they need, remove roadblocks where I can, and then trust them to do their jobs. I also want the team to understand why we’re doing something, not simply what’s due on Friday.

My years in MarCom help here too. I’m usually looking beyond the immediate analyst interaction: Do we actually have a story? Is there evidence behind it? What does the analyst already think? And what do we want someone to remember after the meeting?

Beyond that, I’m not sure there is a typical day — which is probably one of the reasons I like AR. I can go from an analyst inquiry, to preparing an executive or SME for a briefing, to deciding whether CGI should participate in an evaluation, to working through an RFI, to bringing an analyst research readout back to an internal team.

A surprising amount of the job is actually about preparing people. Executives don’t have time to read every research report, nor should they have to. Part of our role is to distil the analyst’s perspective, give them the context they need and help them walk into the conversation ready to have a good discussion.

And inevitably, there is an analyst — or corporate reporting — deadline involved somewhere.

4. How is your AR team organised and why?

We’re a global team supporting CGI’s priority capabilities and industries. The principle behind how we operate is pretty simple: we can’t cover everything equally, and trying to do so wouldn’t be a good use of our time or budget.

More importantly, we run AR as a continuous program rather than something that starts when an evaluation questionnaire arrives. We build relationships, follow the research, use inquiries to understand analyst thinking, brief throughout the year and take what we learn back to the business.

After an evaluation, we look at where we were strong, where we weren’t, what the analyst told us and what needs to change before the next one. That can be a 12- to 18-month process.

AR coordinates all of that, but it depends on our business leaders, SMEs, industry teams, marketing colleagues, account teams and clients.

We’ve also become much more selective about evaluations. Does this research matter to our buyers? Do we know the analysts? Do we have something differentiated to say? Do we have the client evidence to prove it? If not, should we really be doing it?

Sometimes the right answer is no.

5. For you, what is the most important out of the 4 cardinal points as AR outcomes?

Influence.

For me, the strongest measure of AR success is when an analyst knows and trusts CGI well enough to recommend us to a client or put us into a conversation when we’re not in the room.

Analysts have something we don’t: the perspective and credibility of an objective third party talking to buyers across the market. Building their understanding of CGI, and ultimately their preference for us, is crucial to mindshare and can directly contribute to growth.

Awareness and knowledge matter because they get you there. But when an analyst says, “You should talk to CGI,” that’s the outcome I’m looking for.

6. In your experience what’s the best way to get more engagement with the executives that you support?

Make it worth their time — and do the homework for them.

Telling a busy executive that “AR needs you for a briefing” isn’t very compelling. Instead: here’s what this analyst is hearing from your buyers; here’s what they think about us today; here’s what they’re saying about the market and our competitors; and here are two or three things I think you should discuss with them.

Most executives aren’t going to read five analyst reports before a 45-minute call, so part of our job is to make the important information easy to absorb without dumbing it down.

I also think analysts are much more valuable to executives when they’re allowed to challenge them. The best meetings I’ve been in aren’t presentations. They’re conversations where both sides learn something.

Prepare the executive well, give them the context and then get out of the way. Once they’ve had one genuinely useful analyst conversation, getting them to do another one is much easier.

7. How would you characterise the maturity level of your AR function and what’s the roadmap ahead?

When I joined CGI, we needed to rebuild some of the fundamentals: the strategy, team, analyst relationships, research access, measurement and how we approached evaluations.

We’ve made real progress. Analyst engagement and recognition have increased substantially, we’re getting far more CGI experts involved with analysts, we’ve built a much stronger pool of client references, and we’ve reduced what we’re spending on research subscriptions.

The bigger change, though, is moving away from thinking of AR as a series of events. An evaluation isn’t the start of the process. Ideally, it’s one point in a relationship we’ve been working on for the previous 12 to 18 months.

What interests me now is doing a better job with everything we’re learning along the way. AR has access to an enormous amount of intelligence about buyers, competitors and markets, but companies already have too much information. Sending another report or email isn’t the answer.

The next challenge for us is getting the right insight to the right person, in a format they’ll actually use, with a clear indication of what they might do about it.

And I want us to get better at demonstrating the connection between analyst influence, referrals and CGI winning business.

8. What’s your best ever AR tactic and why?

Start by really understanding the analyst’s point of view before trying to change it.

That instinct probably comes from more than 20 years in technology PR. It’s very easy to start with what we want to say. I’m much more interested initially in: What does the analyst think? What are their clients asking them? Where do they think the market is going? What do they think about us today? And why?

Inquiry is incredibly useful for this. We use it throughout the year, not simply when an evaluation is approaching. It gives us a chance to test our thinking, understand what’s changing and identify where our story isn’t landing.

Then we can decide whether the answer is a briefing, better evidence, a different message, a capability we need to strengthen — or sometimes doing nothing at all.

For evaluations, that becomes a continuous cycle: research, inquiry, client evidence, briefing, evaluation, debrief, improve and start again.

And always bring a good story. A real client story with an interesting problem and measurable outcome will beat 40 slides of capabilities every time.

9. What innovations have you seen from other AR teams or developed in your own AR practice?

The area I’m most interested in right now is using AI to deal with one of AR’s least glamorous problems: we have an enormous amount of information and not enough time to make sense of all of it.

We’re experimenting with AI to help us bring research together, identify gaps in evaluation responses, find stronger supporting evidence and prepare people for analyst conversations. I’m less interested in AI writing something for us than I am in whether it can help us find the important thing buried across hundreds of pages of research.

We’re also using that thinking to create much more practical intelligence for CGI teams. Rather than simply forwarding research, we’re trying to answer: What are analysts telling your buyers right now? Why should you care? And what should you do differently as a result?

The human judgement remains essential. AI can synthesize a lot of material very quickly; it can’t replace knowing the analyst, understanding the context or recognizing when one comment is interesting and another is an actual market signal.

If AI can remove some of the manual work and give my team more time for relationships, judgement and preparing our people well, that’s a very good use of it.

10. What are your biggest challenges for the upcoming 6 months? And for the next 30 mn?

Prioritization.

There will always be another analyst, evaluation, market, event or interesting piece of research. The challenge is deciding where our time and money will actually make a difference.

We’re managing a continuous cycle of relationships, research, inquiries, briefings and evaluations across a large global organization, so it’s very easy for activity to become the measure of success. I don’t want it to be.

Over the next six months, I want us to stay focused on the areas where analyst influence really matters to CGI, make the intelligence we gather easier for people inside the business to use, and get better at connecting what AR does to analyst referrals and business opportunities.

For the next 30 minutes?

Probably an analyst deadline I should be working on instead of answering this questionnaire.

Other IIAR> Around AR pros in 10 Questions

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The IIAR> 2026 London Xmas party – The AR community’s holiday celebration https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/29/the-iiar-2026-london-xmas-party-the-ar-communitys-holiday-celebration/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/29/the-iiar-2026-london-xmas-party-the-ar-communitys-holiday-celebration/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:30:54 +0000 ]]> Agency Of The Year]]> Analyst Of The Year]]> AR Professional of the Year]]> Events]]> Networking Event]]> UK Chapter]]> Xmas Party]]> Analyst Of The Year (AOTY)]]> AR Professional, Team and Agency of the Year (ARPOTY)]]> Networking Party]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339905 2026 London Xmas Party Sponsored by Omdia and Sage on Wednesday 25th November 2026 in Central London #ARchat]]> Register now and join over 100 Analyst Relations professionals and industry analysts for the legendary IIAR> Xmas Networking Party, proudly sponsored by Omdia and Sage!

Promotional image for the IIAR Xmas Party in London, featuring a large decorated Christmas tree and festive lights, with event details and sponsors included.

Join us in the heart of Central London for an unforgettable evening of festive drinks, delicious canapés, meaningful connections and high-impact networking. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with industry friends, meet new faces and celebrate another fantastic year for the AR community.

Celebrating excellence in Analyst Relations

We’ll also be celebrating the outstanding contributions of analysts and AR professionals who have helped shape our industry over the past year.

The excitement starts early! The IIAR> Awards Committee will announce the winners of Analyst of the Year and Analyst Relations Professional of the Year during our Awards Announcement Webinar ahead of the party. Be sure to tune in, discover this year’s winners and join us at the party to raise a glass to their success!

Bringing the AR Community Together

IIAR> members are welcome to invite their analyst guests, with full details provided in the registration confirmation.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Secure your place and get ready for an evening of festive networking, recognition and Christmas cheer!

Event Details: The IIAR> 2026 London Xmas Party

  • Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
  • Time: 18:00–22:00
  • Location: Central London
  • Sponsors:
  • Spaces are limited, so register now! We look forward to celebrating with you.

Register for the IIAR> Xmas Party

For IIAR> Members

Ready to celebrate with the community? Register using your IIAR> member portal login details.

For members this event is free.

If you need assistance, please contact our Community Manager.

Please note that, for security reasons, all guests must be registered at least 24 hours before the event and have received a personal confirmation.

Register here

Want to invite your favourite analyst? Register via our Member Portal and you’ll receive a link to share with your analyst..

New to the IIAR>? You’re Welcome!

Want to be part of a community that brings together Analyst Relations professionals and industry analysts? Join IIAR> to connect with peers, exchange insights and take part in our community events.

Apply here

Please join IIAR> before registering for this event.

For Industry Analysts

We’d love to celebrate with our analyst community, too!

If you’re an industry analyst and haven’t yet received an invitation from your AR contacts, please check with your AR network or join the waiting list to express your interest in attending.

Attendance is subject to registration and confirmation.

IIAR> Member Resources

Want to revisit the conversations and insights from the AR Forum?

Explore the 2026 AR Forum sessions through the IIAR> Member Portal.

Access the IIAR> Member Portal for more contents from the IIAR>.

Let’s Make It a Festive Celebration to Remember!

The IIAR> Xmas Party is more than a seasonal get-together. It’s a chance to strengthen the relationships that power our industry, celebrate the people behind its achievements and finish the year on a high note.

Bring your festive spirit, reconnect with your network and join us in celebrating another year of collaboration across the Analyst Relations community.

We can’t wait to see you in London. Cheers to the AR community, and here’s to an exciting year ahead!

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IIAR> AR Pro of the Year 2025 EMEA : 10 Questions interview with Michael Rennett from SUSE https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/23/iiar-ar-pro-of-the-year-2025-emea-10-questions-interview-with-michael-rennett-from-suse/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/23/iiar-ar-pro-of-the-year-2025-emea-10-questions-interview-with-michael-rennett-from-suse/#respond Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:04:04 +0000 Around In 10 Questions]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339770 Around in 10 questions interview is with Michael Rennett / Director of Analyst Relations / SUSE (LinkedIn) and IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, EMEA. 1. What’s been your career path to becoming an AR pro? I came out of university having studied English Literature and, honestly, not really knowing what on […]]]> Circular portrait of a person with short hair, wearing a green sweater, smiling. Below the image, text reads 'Michael Rennett, Global Analyst Relations, SUSE.'

Today’s IIAR> Around in 10 questions interview is with Michael Rennett / Director of Analyst Relations / SUSE (LinkedIn) and IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, EMEA.

1. What’s been your career path to becoming an AR pro?

I came out of university having studied English Literature and, honestly, not really knowing what on earth I wanted to do. I needed a job, so I joined a PR agency.
At the time, the agency was pitching for some Samsung business, and part of that included both PR and AR support. I got roped into helping with the AR side and went along to the press and analyst pre-briefings for the Samsung Galaxy S3 launch.
What struck me immediately was the difference between the analysts and journalists in the room. The analysts were pulling the phone apart, looking at every specification and asking question after question of the spokespeople. Meanwhile, a lot of the journalists mainly wanted pictures of the device from different angles for their articles.
Seeing the analysts’ depth of knowledge, how inquisitive they were, and how much you could learn from working with them immediately showed me why AR was such an interesting career. You get to learn every single day. So I jumped headfirst into analyst relations and have pretty much done it ever since. That was almost 15 years ago now.

2. What are your opinions of the IT Analyst Marketplace and where do you see it
going?

I think the proclaimed death of Gartner that you sometimes see on LinkedIn is massively overblown.
Right now, if you’re a CIO or an IT infrastructure leader, you’re probably not going to place a multimillion-pound bet, or tell your CEO you’ve placed that bet, because ChatGPT recommended a vendor to you.
That may change over time, but one of the unique things analysts still provide is trust and that person-to-person relationship. For major IT decisions, I think that remains hugely important.
That said, I absolutely think more analyst content is going to be ingested by LLMs, and that LLMs will increasingly become the way end users build long lists and short lists during a buying process.
So I can see analysts influencing buyers in two places: indirectly at the top of the funnel because their research is being surfaced through LLMs, and directly at the end when buyers are making the final vendor decision.
The research I see from IT decision makers suggests analysts remain very important. I just think the way much of that influence reaches buyers is going to change.

3. Now, c’mon, tell me an Analyst horror story (no names mentioned)?

There are many I could tell!
One that springs to mind involved an analyst flying over to Europe for a full-day consulting session. They’d already taken a red-eye flight, and then unfortunately had an allergic reaction to the pillows in their hotel room and ended up having to go to the doctor rather than sleeping.
They still tried to carry on with the consulting day the following morning. The problem was that, having missed two nights of sleep, they were absolutely exhausted. The company had paid
thousands of dollars for the session, and at various points the analyst was falling asleep in it.
Nobody’s fault, obviously, but definitely not quite the consulting experience anyone had planned.

4. In your experience, what’s the best way to get more engagement with the
executives that you support?

I like to have conversations with executives almost as a business consultant, and initially take analysts out of the equation completely. I want them thinking about their biggest challenges and what they need to achieve over the next 12 months. It’s then my job as the AR professional to translate those business problems into areas where analysts can help.
If you go into a conversation trying to explain why analysts matter, which analysts they should work with and all the mechanics of analyst engagement, I think you’ve somewhat missed the point.
The outcome isn’t greater analyst engagement for the sake of it. The outcome is helping that business leader overcome their challenges and be successful.
Analyst insight and feedback are tools to help achieve that. So understand the business problem first, and bring the analysts into the equation afterwards.

5. Tell us about one good experience you have had with an analyst or analyst firm?

I’ve had so many good experiences over the years that it’s difficult to pick just one. Does playing beach volleyball with analysts vs executives at a vendor event count?
In all seriousness though, earlier in my career I was always impressed by Ben Wood’s detailed knowledge of the smartphone industry at CCS Insight. As someone new to the industry, I also found him approachable and supportive of professionals in the first few years of their careers, which could not be said for every analyst.
More recently, as I’ve focused increasingly on enterprise technology, I’ve always come away from conversations with Brent Ellis at IDC knowing considerably more than I did when I went in.
That’s one of the best things about this industry. You get access to people with real expertise and you get to learn from them.
I’ve also seen firsthand how good analyst insight and feedback can genuinely change the companies they work with for the better.

6. How would you characterise the maturity level of your AR function and what’s the
roadmap ahead?

This was a fun one, because it was interesting taking the maturity survey and seeing where we netted out. I was very pleased that a lot of my answers were towards the mature end of the scale. We have a well-supported AR function and, importantly, the business understands why analyst relations can be a competitive differentiator.
Where I think we can go further is around tighter integration with sales.
We get some fantastic advocacy from the analyst community, and I want to make sure we’re using that to its maximum potential with the sales organisation. Where appropriate, that means bringing AR and analysts into live deals more often and using that influence to help close business.
It’s a tricky balance when you’re an AR team of one, but that’s definitely a priority for the year ahead.

7. What’s your best ever AR tactic and why?

This is an easy one: be responsive, both internally and externally. Even if you don’t have the answer immediately, simply showing an analyst that you’re on it and looking into something for them builds confidence very quickly. The same is true with internal stakeholders.
It shows people that you’re trustworthy, that you want to help and that you’re a reliable partner.
I have a zero-inbox policy. If an analyst emails me, my aim is to get back to them as quickly as possible. The same applies to messages from colleagues on Slack.
Ultimately, the clue is in the title: analyst relations is about relationships. And I think responsiveness is a critical part of building those relationships, both internally and externally.

8. What innovations have you seen from other AR teams or developed in your own AR
practice?

One of the fun things since joining SUSE has been trying to take some of the best practices we had at Dell and work out how to apply them in an organisation the size of SUSE. I’m very fortunate that my colleagues at SUSE are up for the challenge as well and are so open and collaborative around new ideas.
At Dell, we had a sizable AR team, which meant we could build some very sophisticated analyst engagement strategies, particularly around major events.
At SUSE, I’ve tried to distill that down. I want an analyst attending SUSECON to get the same quality of access and engagement they would expect from an event run by a much larger technology vendor.
Not everything is possible or practical with a smaller team, obviously, but I’ve really enjoyed seeing how far you can take a mature AR programme as a solo practitioner. What it’s taught me is that you can do a heck of a lot by building a community of support across the organisation.
Even as an AR team of one, you can operate beyond the apparent size of your function.
So I’d challenge other AR professionals not to let team size dictate the ambition of their programme. Think clearly about what you can say no to and what you can deprioritise, so you can focus resources on the things that will have the biggest impact on the business.

9. Is there another AR pro (a peer in your team or at other vendors) whose work you
rate highly?

There are lots, but two people immediately spring to mind.
The first is Erin Zehr, who led Dell’s analyst relations team for a number of years. She’s genuinely one of the smartest people I’ve ever worked with. She had a very strong understanding of both the business and the technology, which meant she could go toe-to-toe with analysts where necessary while also building excellent relationships with them. She also understood just how important the internal side of AR is. She built a network of stakeholders across the business who understood the value of AR and became advocates for the function well beyond marketing.
The second is Angela Schmidt, who currently leads analyst relations at Dell. Angela has a fantastic ability to think strategically and operationally at the same time. She has a detailed understanding of the technology and is highly trusted both by analysts and internal stakeholders. She was an absolute joy to work with!

10. What are your biggest challenges for the upcoming six months? And for the next 30
minutes?

The next six months are going to be very busy. We’re heading into autumn, which means event season, while at the same time planning is already well underway for our next SUSECON in 2027.
So the biggest challenge is going to be balancing all of the immediate priorities that come with a busy end to the year while still making sure we’re investing enough time in the longer-term priorities for the business.
For the next 30 minutes, as soon as I’ve finished answering these questions, I need to go and fact-check two Magic Quadrants.
It’s 4pm on a Friday afternoon, so obviously that’s exactly how I was hoping to end the week.

Other IIAR> Around AR pros in 10 Questions

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IIAR> AR Pro of the Year 2025 Americas: 10 Questions interview with Stephanie Look from Google https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/15/iiar-ar-pro-of-the-year-2025-americas-10-questions-interview-with-stephanie-look-from-google/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/10/15/iiar-ar-pro-of-the-year-2025-americas-10-questions-interview-with-stephanie-look-from-google/#respond Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:18:33 +0000 Around In 10 Questions]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339765 Around in 10 questions interview is with Stephanie Look / Head of Analyst Relations at Google (LinkedIn) and IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, North America. 1. What has been your career path to becoming an AR pro? Like many folks in this profession, I didn’t wake up in college saying, “I […]]]> A professional portrait of a woman named Stephanie Look, wearing a red blazer, smiling in front of a blurred outdoor background. Text below states her position as Head of Analyst Relations at Google.

Today’s IIAR> Around in 10 questions interview is with Stephanie Look / Head of Analyst Relations at Google (LinkedIn) and IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, North America.

1. What has been your career path to becoming an AR pro?

Like many folks in this profession, I didn’t wake up in college saying, “I want a career in Analyst Relations”—it simply wasn’t something taught in universities. I double-majored in Rhetoric and Mass Communications, originally pursuing a career in broadcast journalism. My early working years were with a local news station and CBS, before I transitioned into broader corporate communications for tech companies for the next 20 years. Over time, I found myself drawn to the role analysts play in shaping product strategy and messaging, and I developed an appreciation for work and relationships that prioritize long-term impact over the story of the day. What it means to be “an AR pro” today isn’t the same as it was even a few years ago, but at the end of the day, the core foundation of AR hasn’t changed: it’s still about building trust, credibility, and real relationships. How we apply those principles, while challenging the norm in this era of AI, is what will shape the future of AR.

2. What are your opinions of the IT Analyst Marketplace and where do you see it going?

We’re certainly in the middle of an interesting shift. The traditional model built around static reports and extensive evaluations is being tested in the era of AI. Products and markets are moving too fast for a 12-to-18-month research cadence. That said, cranking out more research and competitive evaluations at higher frequency isn’t the answer. Buyers want practical implementation guidance, peer feedback, and nuanced technical insight. I think the firms that thrive will be the ones blending credible research with agile, easily digestible formats, delivering insights directly into existing workflows, and can offer fast-turn advisory. They should have a direct connection to the buyers you’re targeting, not just be the loudest on community platforms. I think success among industry analysts will come down to who can best serve as agile, active sounding boards for their clients, while also being open to evolving legacy business models.

3. What’s your typical day like?

There really is no “typical” day when change is the only constant. Given the number of markets Google operates in and how fast everything is moving with AI, the volume of inbound requests has never been higher. But I look at it as a great problem to have; it means internal teams value our counsel, and the analysts believe we’re bringing something to market that is interesting enough that it makes them want to learn more. But every morning is an exercise in prioritization. It’s important to remember that our job isn’t to clear our inbox every day; it’s to be a force multiplier for the business. I try to focus my energy on the big rocks. A lot of my day is spent driving strategic engagements, clearing roadblocks so my team can do their best work, and getting hands-on with the tech itself. It ends up being a mix of advisory, strategic decision making, and nurturing internal and external relationships.

4. In your experience, what’s the best way to get more engagement with the executives that you support?

Executives don’t have time for briefings just for the sake of briefings. They care about product adoption, revenue, competitive blind spots, and customer reality. Garnering more executive engagement has a lot to do with simply establishing the right connections. That means understanding the business needs and having a strong filter for which analysts will bring credible insight to the table so when your executive leaves the meeting, they believe it was a good use of time.

It also means grounding conversations in customer perception. What are analysts actually hearing in their inquiries, and just as importantly, where are you absent from the conversation? You probably already know what your existing customers think. An analyst’s real value is often pointing out the blind spots and opportunities you might not see from the inside.

5. What is your approach to striking the right balance between major analyst firms and independents?

I’m a firm believer that an analyst’s credibility isn’t based on the firm they work for, but the quality of their insights and how directly connected they are to your target market. It’s also important to diversify your analyst relationships. It gives you a well-rounded perspective and helps eliminate the bias that can live within specific pockets of the market. You start to see where true consensus lies versus just one person’s strong opinion, which keeps you from over-rotating based on a single piece of feedback. With 2027 planning already underway for many teams, it’s a great time to assess where you allocate your time and resources, particularly given the evolving analyst landscape.

6. Which analyst firm do you miss that’s been acquired or an analyst that’s left the industry?

Several, actually. Donald Feinberg’s retirement from Gartner, while well deserved, was the end of an era. Frank Gens and Phil Carter from IDC (thankfully Phil has not gone too far and we catch up when he’s in town). A few years ago, I would have also said Nick McQuire from CCS Insight, but we all gladly welcomed him back to analyst life when he joined Gartner last year.

7. Do you have a favorite specialty analyst firm and why?

I have a lot of respect for many of the boutique firms and independents out there. One specialty firm that stands out is RedMonk. They carry strong credibility with the developer community, and their feedback is always direct, no-BS, and grounded in real-world insights. When they offer constructive criticism, it’s never about posturing or upselling services; it comes from a genuine desire to help their clients. Plus, James and the crew are a fun bunch to work with.

8. Is there an insightful or thought provoking analyst report you’ve read recently, and why?

Gartner recently published a new series of research on the “AI Frontier Vendor Landscape” that is worth reading. Each report in the series is based on a collaboration of over 45 Gartner analysts, but synthesized into an analysis that assesses AI offerings across 10 capability layers. What I like about it is that it helps clients understand vendor AI offerings with a bigger-picture view of strategic purchasing decisions in mind; this is very different from comparative evaluations that assess features within a broader solution set. Those often have a limited shelf life in terms of relevance and do not necessarily always reflect the way buyers purchase or the way vendors go-to-market. The AI Frontier Vendor Landscape series is worth checking out (and by the way, there was no vendor RFI submission involvement either. Just core analysis from the analyst authors).

9. Any hobbies or favorite restaurant that you’d like to share?

Valley Goat is a Google AR team favorite. Every dish has such a great blend of flavors. Pro tip: get the roasted cauliflower, it doesn’t disappoint. (Credit to our IDC friends who always have the best restaurant recommendations).

10. What’s your best ever AR tactic and why?

Good Analyst Relations is a craft. It’s no secret, but I think it comes down to having sharp intuition, asking thoughtful questions, and active listening. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. Being a really good listener enables you to interpret market signals while also discerning the unspoken details that shape a more effective engagement strategy.

Other IIAR> Around AR pros in 10 Questions

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IIAR> Café at PAC Horizons London https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/24/iiar-cafe-at-pac-horizons-london/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/24/iiar-cafe-at-pac-horizons-london/#respond Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:03:53 +0000 ]]> AR café]]> Meetup]]> UK Chapter]]> UK Chapter]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339697 Café in the heart of London. Whether you are attending the PAC Horizons event, you want to network after work, or just want to venture into the city and take a break from the home office, we welcome all AR pros. Hosted by Julia Popa-Boulton, IIAR UK Chapter Co-Lead & Senior AR Manager at Bloomreach, this is an opportunity to connect with the AR community, exchange ideas and share experiences in a relaxed environment with likeminded peers. Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 Time: From 17:30 ]]> IIAR> Café An Evening of Conversations, Connections & Drinks on 14th October 2026

Join fellow Analyst Relations professionals for a relaxed IIAR> Café in the heart of London. Whether you are attending the PAC Horizons London event, want to network after work or just want to venture into the city and take a break from the home office, we welcome all AR pros. Hosted by Julia Popa-Boulton / IIAR UK Chapter Co-Lead and Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member, this is an opportunity to connect with the AR community, exchange ideas and share experiences in a relaxed environment with like-minded peers.

What to Expect:

  • Informal networking with fellow Analyst Relations professionals
  • Conversations and connections with the AR community
  • The opportunity to meet new AR peers and reconnect with familiar faces
  • Open conversations about the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in Analyst Relations
  • A chance to exchange ideas and strengthen your AR network

Whether you’re new to the AR community or a familiar face at IIAR> events, we hope to see you and exchange ideas on our favourite topic: Analyst Relations (and beyond!).

This event is for IIAR> Members Only (refreshments not included).

Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Time: From 1700 BST
Location: TBC upon registration.

IIAR> members registration

Register here

Previous IIAR> AR Cafés

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IIAR> Announces new India chapter and welcomes new chapter leads https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/23/iiar-announces-new-india-chapter-and-welcomes-new-chapter-leads/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/23/iiar-announces-new-india-chapter-and-welcomes-new-chapter-leads/#respond Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:30:05 +0000 ]]> India Chapter]]> Events]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339415 (Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations) is delighted to announce the launch of our new India Chapter, bringing together analyst relations (AR) professionals from across one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly growing technology markets.]]> Image promoting the IIAR India Chapter for 2026-27 featuring four individuals involved in analyst relations: Sanish BalaKrishnan, Dheeraj Gupta, Ankit Sharma, and Akshaya Sona Sri.

The IIAR> (Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations) is delighted to announce the launch of our new India Chapter, bringing together analyst relations (AR) professionals from across one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing technology markets.

As the Analyst Relations profession continues to evolve in India, we are excited to welcome three experienced professionals who will help champion the community, encourage knowledge sharing and create new opportunities for AR practitioners across the region.

Our new India Chapter Leads bring diverse experience across analyst relations, strategic communications, partnerships, market intelligence, business strategy and global AR programmes. Their combined perspectives will bring valuable insight to the IIAR> community and help strengthen the AR profession across India.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new India Chapter Leads:

Ankit Sharma

Ankit Sharma / Team Lead – Analyst Relations, Grazitti Interactive (LinkedIn).

Ankit is an experienced Analyst Relations professional currently leading AR at Grazitti Interactive. His experience spans Analyst Relations, Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Executive engagement, Corporate Reputation and Market Intelligence.

Having built and grown an Analyst Relations program from the ground up, Ankit brings a strategic and collaborative perspective to the India Chapter. With a career shaped by research, communication and relationship building, he believes effective Analyst Relations is built on credibility, meaningful relationships and clear communication. He will help connect practitioners, encourage knowledge exchange and share practical approaches to the evolving AR profession.

A professional portrait of a man wearing a gray blazer and glasses, standing with arms crossed against a dark background.

Sanish Balakrishnan

Sanish Balakrishnan / Head-Analyst Relations & Alliances, EdgeVerve (LinkedIn).

Sanish brings extensive experience across Strategy & Growth, Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, and Analyst & Influencer Relations. His career includes experience with Gartner and Capgemini, and he currently leads Analyst Relations and Alliances at EdgeVerve.

Sanish Balakrishnan brings extensive experience across Strategy & Growth, Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, and Analyst & Influencer Relations. His career includes experience with Gartner and Capgemini, and he currently leads Analyst Relations and Alliances at EdgeVerve.

His experience across strategic partnerships and Analyst Relations gives him a valuable perspective on how analyst engagement can support wider business objectives. Sanish will help the India Chapter create opportunities for practitioners to learn from one another, share experiences and strengthen the strategic role of AR within their organisations.

A close-up portrait of a man wearing glasses and a dark sweater, with a neutral background.

Dheeraj Gupta

Dheeraj Gupta / Head – Center of Excellence Global Analyst Relations, Atos (LinkedIn).

Dheeraj is the Head of the Center of Excellence for Global Analyst Relations at Atos, where he has established and led a global AR function focused on strengthening governance, scaling analyst engagement and translating analyst insights into measurable business impact.

Dheeraj brings extensive experience across analyst engagement, AR governance, RFI and ranking submissions, analyst insights, performance measurement and global stakeholder management. His experience working across regions and business units brings a valuable global perspective to the India Chapter and will help practitioners explore how AR can connect more closely with wider business strategy and outcomes.

Akshaya Sona Soni

Akshaya Sona Sri / Analyst Relations Lead, Zoho (LinkedIn).

Akshaya is the Analyst Relations Lead at Zoho and Co-Lead of the IIAR> India Chapter, where she brings a strong focus on building meaningful analyst relationships and driving effective AR programmes.

Akshaya has extensive experience across analyst relations, having worked with both Zoho and HCL Technologies in progressively senior AR roles. Her experience spans analyst engagement, relationship management and supporting AR programmes across leading technology organisations. Her practical, hands-on perspective will bring valuable insights to the India Chapter and help practitioners explore how to build stronger analyst relationships and create greater impact through AR.

A special thank you to our previous India Chapter Leads

As we welcome three new Chapter Leads, we would also like to recognise and thank the AR professionals who have helped build and shape the IIAR> India Chapter. Thank you all for your leadership and contribution to the India Chapter. Your extensive experience across Analyst Relations and market intelligence, together with your commitment to mentorship, has helped promote AR as both a strategic function and a collaborative community.

  • Astha Nagrath / Head of Analyst Relations, Cybersecurity Business, TCS
  • Bhushan Marathe / Founder, Marathe Analyst Relations
  • Kumar Pallav / Analyst Relations Professional, HCL Technologies
  • Tathagata Das Sarma / Senior Director, Whatfix

Building on a strong foundation

We are incredibly grateful to Astha, Bhushan, Kumar and Tathagata for the time, energy and expertise they have contributed to the IIAR> India Chapter.

Their leadership has helped establish a strong foundation for the Chapter and create a community where AR professionals can connect, share experiences, learn from one another and advance the profession.

We are also delighted that Akshaya Sona Soni will continue as an India Chapter Lead, providing valuable continuity as the Chapter enters its next phase.

Building the IIAR> India Community

We are incredibly excited about the experience and perspectives that our India Chapter Leads will bring to the IIAR> community.

Together, they will focus on:

  • Building a strong AR community across India: Connecting Analyst Relations professionals and creating opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships.
  • Sharing best practices and experiences: Creating a space where practitioners can openly discuss challenges, approaches and lessons learned from their AR programmes.
  • Elevating the strategic role of Analyst Relations: Helping practitioners demonstrate the value of AR and strengthen its role within wider business and communications strategies.
  • Creating valuable events and resources: Developing discussions, events and content that reflect the needs of the Indian AR community and support professional development.
  • Connecting India with the global AR community: Creating stronger links between practitioners in India and the wider IIAR> network, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences across markets.

The IIAR> is committed to supporting regional communities and creating opportunities for AR professionals to network, learn, share and grow together.

With the guidance of our new India Chapter Leads, the India Chapter will provide a space for practitioners to connect with peers, exchange ideas, discuss the challenges facing the profession and explore how Analyst Relations continues to evolve.

We encourage IIAR> members across India to connect with Ankit, Sanish and Dheeraj and get involved. Whether you are looking to share a best practice, discuss a challenge, expand your professional network or simply connect with fellow AR practitioners, the India Chapter is here to support the community.

Stay tuned for upcoming IIAR> India Chapter events, discussions and initiatives!

About the IIAR>

The Institute for Influencer and Analyst Relations (IIAR>) is a not-for-profit organisation established to raise awareness of Analyst Relations and the value of industry analysts, promote best practices amongst Analyst Relations professionals, enhance communication between analyst firms and vendors, and offer opportunities for AR practitioners to network with their industry peers.

www.analystrelations.org

Find us on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-of-industry-analyst-relations/

Previous IIAR> India Chapter posts

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The wait is over: the IIAR> Awards 2026 are officially open! https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/22/the-wait-is-over-the-iiar-awards-2026-are-officially-open/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/22/the-wait-is-over-the-iiar-awards-2026-are-officially-open/#respond Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:23:39 +0000 ]]> Agency Of The Year]]> Analyst Of The Year]]> AR Professional of the Year]]> AR Team of the Year]]> Press Release]]> Analyst Of The Year (AOTY)]]> AR Professional, Team and Agency of the Year (ARPOTY)]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339667 AOTY & ARPOTY Awards 2026 are coming! What makes an outstanding Analyst Relations professional or analyst firm? Is it the strength of relationships, strategic insight, responsiveness or the results they deliver? The IIAR> Analyst of the Year (AOTY) and Analyst Relations Professional of the Year (ARPOTY) Awards are back to celebrate excellence across the AR profession. Using the IIAR> SOSM methodology and the 3Rs framework — Responsiveness, Relationships and Results, the 2026 Awards will recognise the individuals and firms making a meaningful impact. We’re inviting AR professionals and industry analysts worldwide to share their perspectives and help shape this year’s awards. The 2026 winners will be revealed at the IIAR> London Christmas Party in November 2026! Stay tuned for details on how to participate in the Awards survey. #IIAR #AnalystRelations #AR #AOTY #ARPOTY #Awards #IndustryAnalysts #ARCommunity #ProfessionalExcellence]]> The IIAR> Analyst of the Year (AOTY) and Analyst Relations Professional of the Year (ARPOTY) Awards are the longest-running independent accolades in our field, celebrating excellence, innovation and meaningful contributions across the Analyst Relations profession.

Each year, the awards bring together perspectives from the AR community and industry analysts to recognise the individuals and analyst firms making a real difference. By combining these insights with the IIAR> SOSM methodology and the 3Rs of Analyst Relations framework (Responsiveness, Relationships and Results), the awards highlight the qualities that define outstanding AR performance.

The 2026 Awards survey will gather input from AR professionals and industry analysts worldwide, providing a broad range of perspectives on the people and firms helping to shape the future of Analyst Relations.

Engage. Evaluate. Elevate.

Recognising excellence in Analyst Relations

At the IIAR> we believe in celebrating genuine excellence and meaningful impact.

The AOTY and ARPOTY Awards recognise individuals and firms that demonstrate strategic insight, authentic engagement, strong relationships and a commitment to delivering results. They provide an opportunity to celebrate those who continue to raise the bar for our profession.

Using the IIAR> proprietary methodologies, the 2026 Awards survey will assess analyst firms and AR professionals across a range of factors, including:

  • Strategic insight: The ability to provide valuable perspectives and support business objectives.
  • Responsiveness: The quality and effectiveness of engagement and collaboration.
  • Relationships: The strength of connections between AR professionals and analyst firms.
  • Results: The measurable impact of Analyst Relations programmes.
  • Media resonance: The ability to create meaningful influence and visibility.
  • Sales impact: The contribution of AR to sales enablement and business outcomes.
  • Content quality: The relevance, usefulness and quality of information shared.
  • Value for money: The value and effectiveness delivered through analyst relationships and programmes.

These areas help highlight the individuals and firms that are making a meaningful contribution to the AR community.

Have your say in the 2026 awards

The IIAR> Awards are shaped by the people who understand Analyst Relations best — AR professionals and industry analysts.

We invite eligible AR professionals, analysts and AR agencies to register their interest in participating in the 2026 Awards survey. Your input will help ensure that this year’s recognition reflects the experiences and perspectives of the wider AR community.

Registration details will be announced soon. Stay tuned for your opportunity to take part.

Celebrating the 2026 Winners

The results of the 2026 Awards survey will be explored during the IIAR> London Xmas Party in November 2026, where the winners will be revealed and celebrated alongside the AR community.

The event will bring together AR professionals, industry analysts and members of the wider community to recognise outstanding achievements, share insights and celebrate the people and organisations helping to advance Analyst Relations.

Further details about the event will be announced shortly.

IIAR> Awards 2026 Announcement

IIAR_Awards_2026_Logo_Blue

  • Event: IIAR> London Christmas Party
  • Date: 25th November 2026
  • Awards: over 15 categories of awards will be announced.

Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 survey and the announcement of this year’s winners.

Take part in the 2026 IIAR> Awards

Whether you are an AR professional, an industry analyst or an AR agency, your perspective matters.

By participating in the 2026 Awards survey, you can help recognise the people and firms delivering meaningful impact across the profession.

Register below to ensure you receive the survey in your inbox.

Registration to participate in the IIAR> Awards Survey

Register here

Registration for awards announcement

  • IIAR> members and non members can register to attend the Awards Announcement Webinar.

New members are welcome!

Past IIAR> Awards

About the IIAR>

The Institute for Influencer and Analyst Relations (IIAR>) is a not-for-profit organisation established to raise awareness of analyst relations and the value of industry analysts, promote best practices amongst analyst relations professionals, enhance communication between analyst firms and vendors, and offer opportunities for AR practitioners to network with their industry peers.

www.analystrelations.org

Find us on LinkedIn: Institute of Industry Analyst Relations

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A new Chapter for the IIAR> in North America https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/15/a-new-chapter-for-the-iiar-in-north-america/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/15/a-new-chapter-for-the-iiar-in-north-america/#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:38:17 +0000 ]]> NA Chapter]]> News]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339440 Announces the North American Chapter The IIAR> (Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations) is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new Co-Leads for our North America Chapter: Susanne Gossage / CGI, Anoushka Khanna, Ramhes Iyanswamy / TCS. #ARchat]]> Graphic introducing the IIAR North America Chapter for 2026-27, featuring three individuals: Susanne Gossage, Anoushka Khanna, and Ramesh Iyanswamy, each with their respective titles and affiliations.

The IIAR> (Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations) is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new Co-Leads for our IIAR> North America Chapter! As the analyst relations profession continues to evolve across the US and Canada we are delighted to welcome experienced professionals who will help champion, connect and grow our AR community across the region.

Our new Co-Leads bring a wealth of diverse experience spanning analyst relations, PR and communications, research and advisory, enterprise technology, business strategy and P&L leadership. Their varied career journeys and perspectives will bring valuable insight to the North America Chapter and help strengthen the IIAR> community.

Susanne Gossage

A woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a black outfit and a colorful necklace, smiles while standing with her arms crossed against a light-colored wall.

Susanne Gossage / Global Analyst Relations Lead, CGI Inc (LinkedIn).

Susanne is based in Toronto and brings a strong background in PR, media and marketing alongside her global analyst relations experience. Susanne brings a communications-focused perspective to AR and a passion for building strong relationships across the analyst and business communities. As an incoming North America Chapter Co-Lead, she will help connect AR professionals across the region and create opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.

Ramesh Iyanswamy

Close-up portrait of a man with short black hair, wearing a gray suit and a light blue checked shirt, smiling against a white background.

Ramesh Iyanswamy / Global Head – Business Strategy and Analyst Relations, Enterprise Solution Unit, TCS (LinkedIn).

With 21 years at TCS, Ramesh brings a strong business and P&L background to the North America Chapter. After moving into analyst relations approximately 18 months ago, he now leads AR and business strategy for TCS’s Enterprise Solutions unit, one of the largest units in TCS. His combination of commercial leadership, defining technology architecture , business strategy and analyst relations experience provides a valuable perspective on the strategic role AR can play within large, complex organisations.

Anoushka Khanna

A smiling woman with long, wavy black hair, wearing a patterned sleeveless top against a white background.

Anoushka Khanna / Analyst Relations Lead – Former Forrester, Celonis (LinkedIn).

With 10 years of experience on the analyst side at Forrester followed by three years on the client side at Celonis, Anoushka brings a unique perspective on the analyst relations ecosystem. Having experienced the industry from both sides of the relationship, she brings valuable insight into how AR teams and analysts can work together more effectively. Currently settling into life in the US after her relocation from London to Washington DC, Anoushka is passionate about staying connected to the AR community in North America and contributing her experience to help others in the profession.

What lies ahead

We are incredibly excited about the experience, energy and diverse perspectives that Susanne, Anoushka and Ramesh will bring to the IIAR> North America Chapter. Their leadership will be instrumental in:

·       Building a strong IIAR> community across North America: connecting AR professionals across the US, Canada and Mexico and creating opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships.

·       Facilitating the exchange of best practices: providing a forum for AR professionals to share experiences, challenges and practical insights from across the region.

·       Elevating the strategic importance of analyst relations: helping practitioners demonstrate the value of AR and strengthening understanding of the function within their organisations.

·       Creating valuable events and resources: developing activities, discussions and content that reflect the needs of the North American AR community and provide opportunities for learning and professional development.

·       Connecting different perspectives across the AR ecosystem: bringing together practitioners with backgrounds across analyst firms, client organisations, communications, marketing and business leadership to encourage broader conversations about the future of AR.

“Welcome to Susanne, Anoushka and Ramesh -a strong set of new leaders the the IIAR> in North America -I’m sure that IIAR> members will enjoy interacting with them within our community, sharing best practices, promoting the profession and networking. Thanks too to the outgoing US Chapter and keep in touch!

Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member (@lludovic, LinkedIn).

The IIAR> is committed to empowering our regional chapters to thrive and create vibrant, engaged communities for our members. With the guidance of our new Co-Leads, the North America Chapter will continue to be a place for AR professionals to network, learn, exchange ideas and advance the profession together.

We encourage all IIAR> members across North America to connect with Susanne, Anoushka and Ramesh and get involved in shaping the future of the Chapter. Whether you’re looking to share a best practice, discuss a challenge, expand your professional network or simply connect with fellow AR practitioners, the North America Chapter is here to support the community.

Stay tuned for announcements regarding upcoming IIAR> North America Chapter events and initiatives!

Thanks to our previous North America Chapter Co-Leads

We are grateful to Christopher, Nathan, Rachel, Susan and Crystal for the role they have played in developing the North America Chapter. Their contributions have helped create a strong foundation for the next phase of the Chapter.

  • Christopher Manfredi / Global Analyst Relations Director, Sprout Social Inc.
  • Nathan Herman / Analyst Relations Manager, Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson
  • Rachel Kaltenbach / Global Analyst Relations Director, Veeam
  • Susan Peters / Analyst Relations Director, SUSE
  • Crystal Golightly / ARinsights

About the IIAR>

The Institute for Influencer and Analyst Relations (IIAR>) is a not-for-profit organisation established to raise awareness of analyst relations and the value of industry analysts, promote best practices amongst analyst relations professionals, enhance communication between analyst firms and vendors, and offer opportunities for AR practitioners to network with their industry peers.
www.analystrelations.org

Find us on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-of-industry-analyst-relations/

Previous IIAR> NA Chapter posts

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IIAR> Discussion Webinar: AEO/GEO and LLM impact on AR, 17th September https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/09/iiar-discussion-webinar-aeo-geo-and-llm-impact-on-ar-17th-september/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/09/09/iiar-discussion-webinar-aeo-geo-and-llm-impact-on-ar-17th-september/#respond Wed, 09 Sep 2026 22:24:21 +0000 ]]> Discussion Group]]> Events]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339372 members for a candid, peer-led discussion on how AI, AEO/GEO, and LLM research are reshaping Analyst Relations. Explore real-world approaches and how vendors can use AR to influence their representation in LLMs.]]> Promotional graphic for an IIAR virtual event webinar on AEO/GEO and LLM impact on AR, featuring speakers and event details.

LLMs and analyst relations: opportunity, adaptation and the risks we can’t ignore

Let’s start with the upside. LLMs fundamentally changing what’s possible in analyst relations work at scale.

Large language models (LLM) are revolutionising analyst relations by boosting research productivity, enhancing vendor interactions, and strengthening competitive edge. They present both opportunities and challenges for AR leaders. Analyst Engagement Optimisation (AEO) focuses on designing strategic engagement plans and communication for greater impact. Geographic/Global Engagement Operations (GEO) broadens AR’s reach across different regions and markets. LLMs speed up research by helping AR professionals synthesize reports, pinpoint key themes, and quickly identify consensus or differences. They also enable personalized messaging, targeted outreach, and firm positioning, allowing smaller AR teams to accomplish more through faster workflows and higher output.

More importantly, LLMs free AR professionals to focus on irreplaceable work: relationship-building, executive advising, and strategic judgment calls on positioning. They don’t replace strategic thinking—they create room for it.

We will discuss the impact of LLMs that are fundamentally reshaping how AR teams approach AEO/GEO by:

  • Accelerating research 
  • Scaling personalization
  • Enabling efficiency at scale 
  • Shifting focus to strategy 

But with real risks: accuracy issues, hallucination, bias in synthesis, data privacy concerns, and the danger of over-automating relationship work that requires genuine human engagement.

What’s the answer isn’t “using LLMs” or “not using LLMs”—it’s integrating them strategically as a tool to amplify AEO/GEO efforts while maintaining the trust and authenticity that analyst relationships demand. 

This discussion will help identify members’ most pressing AI issues and shape the topics, formats, and resources we develop next. 

This IIAR> webinar will be hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee:

Date> Thursday, 17th September 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1600 BST / 2030 IST (other time zones)

Register here

Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area

Check the IIAR> Best Practices library

Check the full library here > IIAR> Thought Leadership.

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IIAR> Discussion Group: How To Structure AR Measurement? https://analystrelations.org/2026/08/14/iiar-discussion-group-how-to-structure-ar-measurement/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/08/14/iiar-discussion-group-how-to-structure-ar-measurement/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:05:42 +0000 ]]> Discussion Group]]> Events]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339141 discussion explores practical ways to connect analyst engagement with sales, go-to-market outcomes, coverage, and awareness, while examining how AI and LLMs are creating a new dimension of visibility for AR programs.]]>

The IIAR> is hosting a members-only discussion on the structure for measuring AR. Most AR programs get measured only when someone asks, at budget season, “what did we get out of this?” and the only answer on hand is an activity count: briefings held, inquiries logged, reports mentioned. That data is easy to produce and hard to use, because it describes effort, not impact.

A better structure starts with what the business needs from analysts, then measures against that. This piece builds outward from where AR touches the business most directly: sales, marketing, and go-to-market; coverage and awareness; and closes with the newest variable: how AI and LLMs are reshaping what “visibility” means. 

Some topics we’ll explore together:

  • Can we prove analysts actually move revenue by tracking what happens between an analyst touchpoint and a deal outcome?
  • Does AR actually strengthen go-to-market? Can we track analyst involvement in launches, campaigns, and content syndication to find out?. 
  • Is coverage the same as impact? Report inclusions, quote mentions, shortlist presence, category rankings, and share of voice are the easiest data to collect and easiest to over-index on — do they actually signal business impact, or just visibility?
  • Is analyst research now feeding AI as much as analysts themselves, shaping buyer opinions through LLM answers? If so, does AR need a new “AI visibility” metric, since traditional coverage and SEO tracking can’t capture it?

This IIAR> webinar will be hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee:

Date> Thursday, 03th September 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)

Register here

Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area

Other IIAR> Viewpoints

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IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget https://analystrelations.org/2026/08/11/iiar-webinar-managing-ar-programme-on-a-startup-budget/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/08/11/iiar-webinar-managing-ar-programme-on-a-startup-budget/#respond Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:16:40 +0000 ]]> India Chapter]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339089 Webinar. Learn practical strategies, creative approaches, and prioritisation techniques from experienced AR professionals to maximise analyst engagement and business impact while working with startup-level resources.]]> Promotional image for IIAR Webinar titled 'Managing AR programme on a startup budget'. Features speaker photos and names: Rob Addy, Aniruddha Mukherjee, Janmajai Dhyani, Claire Williamson, and Akshaya Sona Sri. Date and time: 20th August 2026 at 1500 IST.

For many organisations, Analyst Relations is often expected to deliver meaningful impact without the resources, teams, or budgets available to larger enterprises. Whether working in a startup, scale-up, or a resource-constrained AR function, professionals need to make strategic choices about where to invest time, money, and effort.

A successful AR programme is not defined by budget size —it is defined by clarity of objectives, strong relationships, smart prioritisation, and the ability to demonstrate measurable value. From selecting the right analyst engagements to building internal alignment and leveraging available tools, AR teams can create significant impact even with limited resources.

This IIAR> Webinar will explore how AR professionals can approach programme design when budgets are tight, including how to identify high-value activities, build credibility with analysts, create repeatable processes, and make the most of available resources.

Joined by experienced AR leaders and practitioners, we will discuss practical examples, challenges, and strategies for running an effective AR programme with a startup mindset.

This session will provide actionable guidance for AR professionals looking to build influence, demonstrate value, and grow their programmes sustainably—regardless of budget size.

Our guest speakers will be:

  • Rob Addy / ex-Gartner (Linkedin)
  • Janmaijai Dhyani / Director & Head of Advisory & Analyst Relations, Tredence Inc. (Linkedin)
  • Claire Williamson / Managing Director, Resonance (Linkedin)

This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by:

  • Akshaya Soni / IIAR> India Chapter Co-lead (Linkedin)
  • Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board member (Linkedin)

Date> Thursday 20th August 2026
Time> 1500 IST/ 1030 BST (other time zones)

Register here

Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area

Other IIAR> Webinars

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IIAR> Café: a cultural networking experience at the British Museum https://analystrelations.org/2026/07/24/iiar-cafe-a-cultural-networking-experience-at-the-british-museum/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/07/24/iiar-cafe-a-cultural-networking-experience-at-the-british-museum/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:08:25 +0000 ]]> AR café]]> Meetup]]> UK Chapter]]> UK Chapter]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=339041 members and non-members, this event offers a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections in a relaxed setting. Date: Friday, 30 September 2026 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM BST (1-hour museum walkthrough followed by lunch/networking) Location: The British Museum, London ]]>

Step away from the office and join fellow Analyst Relations professionals for an inspiring afternoon of culture, conversation and networking at London’s iconic British Museum. Explore the South East Asian Wing before continuing the discussions over coffee and lunch at the Museum Café.

What to Expect?

  • A guided one-hour walkthrough of the British Museum’s South East Asian Wing
  • Informal networking with the UK AR community
  • Lunch and conversations at the Museum Café
  • A relaxed setting to exchange ideas, insights and experiences

Hosted by>

  • Ashutosh Dikshit / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead ; Analyst Relations Lead Digital & Customer Experience, Amdocs (LinkedIn)
  • Ed Gyurko / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead; Global Advisor & Analyst Relations (LinkedIn)

Date> Friday, 02 October 2026

Time> 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM BST (1-hour museum walkthrough followed by lunch/networking)

Location> The British Museum, London

IIAR> members registration

Register here

Other IIAR> AR Cafés posts

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IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/29/iiar-webinar-independent-analyst-panel-highlights06-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/29/iiar-webinar-independent-analyst-panel-highlights06-26/#respond Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:50:18 +0000 ]]> Analyst Firm Webinar]]> Vlog]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338952 Independent Analyst Panel Webinar, held on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, featuring an outstanding panel of analyst relations and industry experts: Steven Dickens (HyperFRAME), Jon Reed (Diginomica), Virginie O'Shea (Founder, Firebrand Research), Richard Stiennon (IT-Harvest), Chris Germann (Independent AR Professional and IIAR> Member), Sarita Kincaid (Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM), Ludovic Leforestier (IIAR> Board Member and Founder, Starsight Communications), Noelle Shipley (Independent AR Professional), Robin Schaffer (Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR), and Dr. Jochen Wolf (Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional and IIAR> Member).]]>

Check the highlights of our IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel with Steven Dickens / HyperFRAME (LinkedIn), Jon Reed / Diginomica (LinkedIn), Virginie O’Shea / Firebrand Research (LinkedIn, IIAR> interview with Virginie O’shea), Richard Stiennon / IT-Harvest (LinkedIn) and hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee: Chris Germann / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn), Sarita Kincaid / SugarCRM (LinkedIn), Ludovic Leforestier / Starsight Communications (LinkedIn), Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn), Robin Schaffer / Schaffer AR (LinkedIn) and Dr. Jochen Wolf / Sapiens (LinkedIn) on Tuesday 23rd June 2026.

Read the blog post here for the slides, recording and IIAR> Viewpoint.

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IIAR> Webinar:  Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/26/iiar-webinar-insights-from-over-40-ar-professionals-to-accelerate-your-ar-journey-07-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/26/iiar-webinar-insights-from-over-40-ar-professionals-to-accelerate-your-ar-journey-07-26/#respond Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:44:54 +0000 ]]> Analyst Relations Forum]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338882 Summer Forum in London? Join the IIAR> on 9 July for Insights from over 40 AR Professionals to Accelerate Your AR Journey. Hear the key takeaways, practical recommendations and lessons learned from the Summer Forum workshops, followed by a live Q&A with the workshop leaders. Whether you attended the Forum or not, this webinar is your chance to gain actionable insights from the IIAR> community. Not a member? Join now! HERE Register here> https://iiar.member365.com/public/event/details/30ddd57b740f452f4814325e8c4a114804942d13/1 Thursday 9 July 2026 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1600 BST / 2030 IST #IIAR #ARChat #AnalystRelations #ARCommunity #ProfessionalDevelopment ]]>

The 2026 IIAR> AR  Forum London brought together more than 40 analyst relations professionals in London for an afternoon of insightful discussions and hands-on workshops covering some of the most pressing topics in the profession today. In our upcoming webinar, Insights from over 40 AR professionals to Accelerate Your AR Journey, the IIAR> brings together the members who co-hosted these workshops to share the most valuable takeaways, practical recommendations and lessons learned from the event. This webinar is designed to help AR professionals turn workshop discussions into actionable strategies that can strengthen and accelerate their analyst relations programmes.

Missed the Summer Forum in London? Or just want a masterclass recap?

Dive back into the breakthroughs with this high-impact webinar. We’re stripping away the noise to bring you the “Top 5” actionable recommendations from our core workshops: AI & AR (Ashutosh Dikshit, Amdocs) , The Future of AR (Suzannah Archibald, EY; Sandeep Metha, TCS), Gartner Insights (Aniruddho Mukherjee, AWS) , and AR on a Budget (Ludovic Leforestier, Starsight). Our expert presenters will break down the exact trends, proven tactics, and practical frameworks you can deploy inside your organization today.

We’ll wrap up with a live, interactive Q&A where you can challenge the workshop leaders, dig into the details, and connect with peers. Don’t miss this chance to leverage the collective power of the IIAR> community and accelerate your AR strategy!

Register here

If you would like to attend the webinar, register today.  Members can register for free.

IIAR> members can access the viewpoint documents that recap each Forum workshop and can be accessed here > Viewpoint

This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by :

  • Ashutosh Dikshit / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead (LinkedIn)
  • Ed Gyurko/IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead (LinkedIn)
  • Ludovic Leforestier/ IIAR> Board Member (LinkedIn)
  • Aniruddho Mukherjee/ IIAR> Board Member (LinkedIn)

IIAR> Members panel:

  • Suzannah Archibald / Associate Director, Global Analyst Relations , EY (LinkedIn)
  • Sandeep Mehta / Head Analyst Relations Europe & UK, TCS (LinkedIn)
  • Alexia O’Sullivan / VP & Global Analyst Relations Leader, Capgemini (LinkedIn)
  • Claire Williamson / Resonance (LinkedIn)

Date> Thursday, 9th July 2026
Time> 0900 PDT / 1200 EDT / 1600 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)

Register here

IIAR> Viewpoints: AR Forum London 2026

  • Date: June 2026
  • Link to PDF for IIAR> Members
  • Contributors: IIAR> UK Chapter, IIAR> Board, event panelists and guests

Slides and recording is available on the IIAR> Members Area

Other IIAR> Webinars

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IIAR> Café, Noida (Delhi NCR): connecting the AR community in India, (07/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/19/iiar-cafe-noida-delhi-ncr-connecting-the-ar-community-in-india/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/06/19/iiar-cafe-noida-delhi-ncr-connecting-the-ar-community-in-india/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:08:39 +0000 ]]> AR café]]> India Chapter]]> Meetup]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338854 Cafe!  A vibrant morning to catch up with AR peers, swap ideas, and chat about the latest hot topics in the industry. This event is free for IIAR> Members This IIAR> Café is hosted by Bhushan Martre/Founder Marathe Analyst Relations  /IIAR> India chapter lead Kumar Pallav/Senior area sales director HCL Tech/ IIAR> India chapter lead. If you are not an IIAR> member but are an AR professional and would like to attend, please contact the IIAR> meher@analystrelations.org or click here to become a member. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and network with your AR peers. When> Friday 10th July 2026 Time> 1000 IST onwards]]> Promotional image for the IIAR Café event featuring the India Chapter in-person meetup in Noida on July 10, 2026, with details about the speakers Bhushan Marathe and Kumar Pallav.

Need a break from the busy world of Analyst Relations?

The IIAR> is delighted to invite you to an exclusive IIAR> Café in Noida, Delhi NCR.

What to expect:

  • Fresh tea, coffee and light snacks (on us!)
  • A relaxed, informal setting to connect with fellow AR professionals
  • Quality conversations and networking with the local AR community

This is a great opportunity to step away from the day to day, meet peers in the region and share insights on the evolving AR landscape in India and beyond.

Location details will be shared upon registration.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This IIAR> Café will be hosted by TCS India  and the IIAR> India Chapter:

  • Bhushan Martre / Founder Marathe Analyst Relations and IIAR> India chapter lead (LinkedIn)
  • Kumar Pallav / Senior area sales director HCL Tech and IIAR> India chapter lead (LinkedIn)

Guest Speaker

  • Nikhil Shahane, Global Head, Analyst Relations, TCS (LinkedIn)
Date> 10 July 2026
Time> 1000 – 1300 IST
Location> Noida, Delhi NCR

IIAR> members registration

Please register on our member portal and we’ll send you the location details ASAP.

Register here

Form for non-IIAR> members

If you’re an AR professional but not an IIAR> member yet, please fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch.

And you can also just click here to become a member.

Other IIAR> AR Cafés

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IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/28/iiar-independent-analyst-panel-23rd-june-2026/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/28/iiar-independent-analyst-panel-23rd-june-2026/#respond Thu, 28 May 2026 14:22:09 +0000 ]]> Analyst Firm Webinar]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338691 webinar on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. This dynamic panel pairs four elite independent analysts with six top analyst relations (AR) professionals to explore how boutique firms offer unmatched agility, deep specialization, and strategic advantages that mega-research firms cannot match.Attendees will discover actionable ways to integrate independent analysts into their current AR strategies, dismantle common "pay-to-play" industry misconceptions, and maximize their ROI. Ideal for AR professionals looking to diversify their market insights and elevate their analyst engagement, this session offers direct access to premier industry thought leaders. Register today to secure your spot and transform your approach to analyst relations.]]> Promotional image for IIAR Virtual Event featuring a Webinar on Independent Analyst Panel with speakers Jon Reed, Richard Stiennon, Steven Dickens, and Virginie O'Shea. Event details include date of June 23, 2026, and various time zones.

Independent analysts play a crucial role in shaping the technology landscape, offering unique insights and agility that larger firms often lack. In our upcoming Independent Analyst Panel, the IIAR> brings together four leading independent analysts and six analyst relations (AR) co-hosts to discuss the value they bring to organizations. IIAR> members will gain a deeper understanding of how independent analysts operate, their specialized expertise, and the strategic benefits they offer beyond those of traditional large research firms. This Panel is a must-attend for AR professionals looking to optimize their analyst engagement strategies and gain a broader perspective on industry research.
Our panelists will address key questions, such as how independent analysts differ from larger firms, what unique offerings they bring, and how organizations can effectively integrate them into their AR plans. They’ll also tackle common misconceptions, such as the notion of “pay-to-play” in analyst research, and provide practical advice on how businesses can leverage independent analysts for strategic advantage. Whether you’re looking to expand your AR strategy, explore new collaboration opportunities, or gain valuable market insights, this panel will provide the knowledge and expertise you need to make informed decisions. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with top independent analysts and elevate your approach to analyst relations!

Our Independent Analyst Panel:

This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by:

Register here

Date> Tuesday 23 June  2026
Time> 0900 PDT / 1200 EDT / 1600 BST / 2130 IST (other time zones)

Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area

Video highlights

Other IIAR> Webinars

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IIAR> Discussion Group: Working Smarter with AI: How LLMs Are Reshaping Analyst Relations (05/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/05/iiar-discussion-group-working-smarter-with-ai-how-llms-are-reshaping-analyst-relations-05-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/05/iiar-discussion-group-working-smarter-with-ai-how-llms-are-reshaping-analyst-relations-05-26/#respond Tue, 05 May 2026 16:20:30 +0000 ]]> Discussion Group]]> Events]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338577 Discussion Webinar: Working Smarter with AI: How LLMs Are Reshaping Analyst Relations (05/26) This IIAR> webinar will be hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee: Ludovic Leforestier / Starsight, Noelle Shipley, Chris Germann, Jochen Wolf, Robin Schaffer / Schaffer AR, Sarita Kincaid #ARchat ]]> IIAR> Discussion Webinar: Working Smarter with AI: How LLMs Are Reshaping Analyst Relations (05/26)

The IIAR> is hosting a members-only discussion on the impact of LLM on Analyst Relations. Artificial intelligence and large language models are quietly transforming how AR professionals do their jobs — from how they prep for analyst briefings to how they synthesize research, track coverage, and craft messaging. But the profession is still figuring out what “good” looks like. In this IIAR> Discussion Group, we’ll explore how AR teams are putting AI tools to work in practice, where analysts themselves are leaning into AI-generated research and interaction, and what it all means for the quality and authenticity of the AR relationship. Whether you’re a power user or just getting started, this session will help you see what’s changing, what’s not, and where the profession is headed.

Some of the questions we’ll explore together:

1. Is AI Making Analyst Relations More Strategic — or Just More Efficient?

AR professionals are rapidly adopting LLMs to accelerate briefing prep, synthesize coverage, draft narratives, and monitor analyst sentiment. But efficiency and strategy aren’t the same thing. As AI handles more of the tactical workload, are AR teams actually elevating their strategic contribution — or are they just doing the same work faster? And on the analyst side, as firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC integrate AI into their research workflows, how is the nature of briefings, inquiries, and vendor relationships themselves beginning to shift?

2. What Does AI Do to the Analyst Relationship — and Can You Tell the Difference?

The analyst relationship has always been built on trust, credibility, and authentic human engagement. Now AR teams are using AI to craft messaging, personalize outreach, and prepare executives for analyst interactions. Analysts, meanwhile, are handling higher volumes with AI-assisted triage. So here’s the real question: are we approaching a point where both sides of the relationship are increasingly mediated by AI — and does that erode the very thing that makes AR valuable? Where do practitioners draw the line between augmentation and automation?

3. Are You Positioned to Be Found — or Just Indexed?

For decades, the AR strategy has been built around influencing analyst research that drives client decisions. But a new dynamic is reshaping the game: AI-powered answer engines — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude — are now the first stop for technology buyers doing research. These tools don’t return a list of links. They synthesize an answer and draw heavily on analyst content, review platforms, and third-party coverage. This is the shift from SEO to AEO — Answer Engine Optimization — and most vendors aren’t ready for it.

The IIAR> launched regular conversations focused on AI in analyst relations. It will help identify members’ most pressing AI issues and shape the topics, formats, and resources we develop next. 

This IIAR> Discussion Group is hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee:

Date> Thursday 21th May 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)

Blue button with the text 'Register' in white font

Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area

Other IIAR> Viewpoints

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IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/05/iiar-analyst-firm-webinar-omdia-highlights-04-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/05/05/iiar-analyst-firm-webinar-omdia-highlights-04-26/#respond Tue, 05 May 2026 13:09:21 +0000 ]]> Analyst Firm Webinar]]> Vlog]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338608 Analyst Firm Webinar on the Wednesday 29 April 2026 featuring Check the highlights of our IIAR> Firms Webinar with Omdia Alexia O’Sullivan/ VP & Global AR Leader and IIAR> Member, Capgemini (Linkedin), Ashutosh Dikshit / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead and AR Lead, Amdocs (LinkedIn), Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member and Analyst Relations Lead EMEA, Amazon Web Services  (LinkedIn), Kristine Neufeld / Industry AR, NVIDIA (LinkedIn), Ludovic Leforestier/ IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn), Bill Morelli / I&A President, Omdia (LinkedIn), Evan Kirchheimer / Chief Research Officer, Omdia (Linkedin), Iva Gotovac / VP Marketing, Omdia  (LinkedIn), Mengya Du / VP Product, Technology and Strategy, Omdia (LinkedIn)#ARchat ]]>

Check the highlights of our IIAR> Firms Webinar with Omdia Alexia O’Sullivan/ VP & Global AR Leader and IIAR> Member, Capgemini (Linkedin), Ashutosh Dikshit / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead and AR Lead, Amdocs (LinkedIn), Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member and Analyst Relations Lead EMEA, Amazon Web Services  (LinkedIn), Kristine Neufeld / Industry AR, NVIDIA (LinkedIn), Ludovic Leforestier/ IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn), Bill Morelli / I&A President, Omdia (LinkedIn), Evan Kirchheimer / Chief Research Officer, Omdia (Linkedin), Iva Gotovac / VP Marketing, Omdia  (LinkedIn), Mengya Du / VP Product, Technology and Strategy, Omdia (LinkedIn) on Wednesday 29 April 2026

Read the blog post here for the slides, recording and IIAR> Viewpoint.

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The 2026 IIAR> AR Forum + London Summer Party! (06/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/04/28/the-2026-iiar-ar-forum-london-summer-party-06-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/04/28/the-2026-iiar-ar-forum-london-summer-party-06-26/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:09:25 +0000 ]]> Analyst Relations Forum]]> Events]]> Networking Event]]> Summer Party]]> UK Chapter]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338530 members and guests -A relaxed evening celebrating the AR community -Insightful discussions around industry trends and shared experiences Event Details: Date: Thursday 11 June 2026 Time: Afternoon + Evening Venue: TBC]]> IIAR> AR Forum + Summer Networking Party London, 11th June 2026

We’re delighted to announce the 2026 IIAR> AR Forum + London Summer Party — an afternoon and evening dedicated to analyst relations professionals, industry peers, and members of the wider IIAR> community.

The IIAR> Analyst Relations Forum: will bring together AR leaders, practitioners, analysts, and industry experts for insightful conversations around the evolving analyst landscape, professional growth, and the future of influence and engagement.

Throughout the Forum, attendees can expect discussions covering analyst relations best practices, evolving engagement models, industry trends, and peer-to-peer learning designed to help AR professionals strengthen their strategy and expand their networks.

The Forum will then transition into the  IIAR> Summer Party  — an informal evening of cocktails, networking, and community in the heart of London. This annual gathering offers the opportunity to reconnect with peers, meet new faces, and celebrate the analyst relations profession in a relaxed setting.

Whether you’re a long-standing member or new to the AR industry, the Summer Party creates space for meaningful conversations, stronger professional relationships, and valuable networking with analysts, sourcing advisors, AR practitioners, and members of the IIAR> Extended Board.

Thanks to our sponsors, CapGemini and Omdia

Capgemini logo in blue with a stylised water droplet design.
Omdia logo featuring concentric circles and the text 'by informa techtarget'.

What to Expect?

  • Networking with analyst relations professionals and industry peers
  • Informal conversations and relationship building
  • Opportunities to connect with IIAR> members and guests
  • A relaxed evening celebrating the AR community
  • Insightful discussions around industry trends and shared experiences

To our members: this event is included as part of your IIAR> membership — one of the many ways we support connection, collaboration, and professional development across the AR community.

For future members, join today to attend the Forum + Summer Party and discover the value of being part of the IIAR> network.

IIAR> Viewpoints: AR Forum London 2026

  • Date: June 2026
  • Link to PDF for IIAR> Members
  • Contributors:
    • IIAR> Hosts – Ashutosh Dikshit / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead ; Analyst Relations Lead Digital & Customer Experience, Amdocs (LinkedIn), Pedro Domingues / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead ; Global Analyst Relations Lead, Avanade (LinkedIn), Ed Gyurko / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead; Global Advisor & Analyst Relations (LinkedIn), Anja Steinmann / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead ; Senior Manager Analyst Relations, Eviden (LinkedIn), Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member ; Founder, Starsight Communications (LinkedIn), Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member ; Analyst Relations Lead EMEA, Amazon Web Services (LinkedIn)
    • Guest speakers – Kerry Hallard / CEO (LinkedIn), GSA & Aura Popa / CSat (LinkedIn)
    • IIAR> Panelists – Michael Rennett / SUSE (LinkedIn), Anurag Singhal / BMC Helix (LinkedIn), Alexia O’Sullivan / Capgemini (LinkedIn), Ferdi Van Huffel / Microsoft (LinkedIn), Suzannah Archibald / EY (LinkedIn), Sandeep Mehta / TCS (LinkedIn), Graham Westrop / ServiceNow (LinkedIn), Claire Williamson / Resonance (LinkedIn) & Starsight team.

Event Details

Date> Thursday 11 June 2026
Time> Afternoon + Evening
Venue> Central London

Summer Party registration for Analysts

Analysts, if you haven’t been invited already by your favourite AR pro, please join the waiting list below. Or check with your AR buddies for the direct link.

IIAR> Summer Party tickets FAQ

  • Who can attend? The IIAR> AR Forum is open only to IIAR> Members. The IIAR> Summer Party is open to both eligible Analyst relations professionals and bona fide industry analysts.
  • Can analyst relations professionals invite analysts? Yes, IIAR> Members are encouraged to to invite their favorite analysts! See instructions in the registration confirmation. Analysts, if you haven’t been invited already by your favourite AR pro, please join the waiting list below. Or check with your AR buddies for the direct link.
  • Can other publics attend? Yes, analyst firms staff including sales are welcome to purchase a ticket (subject to approval).

Meet your AR Forum and IIAR> Summer Party hosts

IIAR> AR Forum agenda

We’re pleased to announce a great agenda.

Welcome to the IIAR>Aniruddho Mukherjee & Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Members
AI, influence & future of analyst relationsGuest speaker: Kerry Hallard / GSA
Host: Ed Gyurko / UK Chapter Co-Lead
WORKSHOPS:
Workshop A:
AI & AR – What could go wrong? 
Host: Ashutosh Dikshit / UK Chapter Co-Lead
Cohosts: Michael Rennett / SUSE, Anurag Singhal / BMC Helix 
Workshop B:
Working with Gartner – what’s changed? 
Host: Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member
Cohosts: Amanda Lopez / HPE, Alexia O’Sullivan / Capgemini, Ferdi Van Huffel / Microsoft
Workshop Session 1: Key TakeawaysAll hosts.
Moderator: Ed Gyurko / UK Chapter Co-Lead
Workshop C
Future of AR (next 3 years)
Host: Pedro Domingues / UK Chapter Co-Lead
Cohosts: Suzannah Archibald  / EY, Sandeep Mehta / TCS
Workshop D
Managing AR with no budget (startup style)
Host: Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member
Cohosts: Graham Westrop / ServiceNow , Claire Williamson / Resonance
Workshop : Key Takeaway (All Workshops)All hosts.
Moderator: Ed Gyurko / UK Chapter Co-Lead
How to avoid vendor briefings sinsGuest Speaker: Aura Popa / CSat
Host: Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member

More on the IIAR> Analyst Relations Forum

Other IIAR> UK Chapter posts

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 IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26) https://analystrelations.org/2026/04/21/iiar-analyst-firm-webinar-omdia-04-26/ https://analystrelations.org/2026/04/21/iiar-analyst-firm-webinar-omdia-04-26/#respond Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:01:33 +0000 ]]> Analyst Firm Webinar]]> Events]]> Webinar]]> https://analystrelations.org/?p=338459 as they discuss the TechTarget merger, evolving engagement strategies, and practical market intelligence for modern AR teams.]]> Promotional graphic for the IIAR Analyst Firm Webinar featuring speakers from Omdia, including Bill Morelli and Evan Kirchheimer. Details include date, time, and additional speaker names.

Understanding how analyst firms are evolving is critical for building an effective analyst relations (AR) strategy. With ongoing consolidation and new service models reshaping the industry, AR teams need to continuously adapt how they engage and position their organisations.

In this IIAR> Webinar, Omdia leaders will share their perspective on the market, including how the merger with TechTarget is shaping their strategy and offerings.

Key themes include:

  • Evolving analyst landscape
    How consolidation and new business models are reshaping the analyst ecosystem.
  • Engagement strategies
    What AR teams need to know to build stronger, more effective relationships with analysts.
  • Market intelligence
    How firms like Omdia are adapting their research and advisory services to meet changing client needs.
  • Practical takeaways
    Real-world insights from analysts and AR leaders on what’s working today.

This IIAR> Webinar is hosted by:

Our Guest speakers from Omdia will be:

  • Bill Morelli / I&A President, Omdia (LinkedIn)
  • Evan Kirchheimer / Chief Research Officer, Omdia (Linkedin)
  • Iva Gotovac / VP Marketing, Omdia  (LinkedIn)
  • Mengya Du / VP Product, Technology and Strategy, Omdia (LinkedIn)

Event details

Date> Wednesday 29 April 2026
Time> 0830 PDT / 1130 EDT / 1630 BST / 2100 IST (other time zones) 

Slides and recording are available on the IIAR> Members Area

Video highlights

Other IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinars

Other IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinars

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