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:
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder, Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Head of Editorial Committee, Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, VP Analyst Relations, Sapiens (LinkedIn)
Date> Thursday, 17th September 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1600 BST / 2030 IST (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored conten
Check the IIAR> Best Practices library
Check the full library here > IIAR> Thought Leadership.
- IIAR> Best Practices Webinar: Sales Enablement + 30/60/90 days AR Plan, (06/25)
- IIAR> Best Practices Webinar: AR Compass, 2nd May
- IIAR> Best Practice Webinar: Getting the Most out of Analyst Advisory Sessions, 4th April
- IIAR> Best Practice Paper: Engage the right audience, using analyst tiering
- IIAR> Discussion Group: managing analyst advisory days
- IIAR> Best Practices Paper: running and leveraging analyst inquiries
- IIAR> Best Practices Paper: Delivering AR Programmatically with Campaigns
- IIAR> Primer: Why should startups and scale-ups have an analyst relations strategy?
- IIAR> Best Practices Paper: Running an industry analyst briefing
- IIAR> Webinar recap: What is analyst & influencer relations (AR)?
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:
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder, Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Head of Editorial Committee, Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, VP Analyst Relations, Sapiens (LinkedIn)
Date> Thursday, 03th September 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored conten
Other IIAR> Viewpoints
]]>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)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- Check our discussion thread on this webinar in the IIAR> Members discussion forum
- The presentation slides of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members file library.
- The full recording of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content
Other IIAR> Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Webinar: Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Webinar with India Chapter: Advisor Relations(04/26)
- Measuring analyst influence: turning IIAR> Awards insights into action (03/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
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
Other IIAR> AR Cafés posts
- IIAR> Café: a cultural networking experience at the British Museum
- IIAR> Café, Noida (Delhi NCR): connecting the AR community in India, (07/26)
- IIAR> Café: at NVIDIA GTC, San Jose – 2026 (03/26)
- IIAR> London Café (11/25)
- IIAR> London Café (09/25)
- IIAR> Café, 30th April: Navigating the RSA 2025 Analyst Landscape (04/25)
- IIAR> Café, 6th March: Navigating the Mobile World Congress Analyst Landscape (03/25)
- IIAR> London in-person meet-up, 29 February
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 28 September 2023
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 27 April 2023
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.
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!
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)
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
- The full recording of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Check our discussion thread on this webinar in the IIAR> Members discussion forum
- The presentation slides of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members file library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming and to the stored content
Other IIAR> Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Webinar: Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Webinar with India Chapter: Advisor Relations(04/26)
- Measuring analyst influence: turning IIAR> Awards insights into action (03/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
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.
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
- IIAR> Café: a cultural networking experience at the British Museum
- IIAR> Café, Noida (Delhi NCR): connecting the AR community in India, (07/26)
- IIAR> Café: at NVIDIA GTC, San Jose – 2026 (03/26)
- IIAR> London Café (11/25)
- IIAR> London Café (09/25)
- IIAR> Café, 30th April: Navigating the RSA 2025 Analyst Landscape (04/25)
- IIAR> Café, 6th March: Navigating the Mobile World Congress Analyst Landscape (03/25)
- IIAR> London in-person meet-up, 29 February
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 28 September 2023
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 27 April 2023
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:
- Steven Dickens / HyperFRAME (LinkedIn)
- Jon Reed / Diginomica (LinkedIn)
- Virginie O’Shea / Founder, Firebrand Research (LinkedIn) (IIAR> interview with Virginie O’shea)
- Richard Stiennon / IT-Harvest (LinkedIn)
This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by:
- Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
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
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Check our discussion thread on this webinar in the IIAR> Members discussion forum
- The presentation slides of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members file library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming and to the stored content
Video highlights
Other IIAR> Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Webinar: Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Webinar with India Chapter: Advisor Relations(04/26)
- Measuring analyst influence: turning IIAR> Awards insights into action (03/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
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:
- Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
Date> Thursday 21th May 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content.
Other IIAR> Viewpoints
]]>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.
]]>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
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.
- 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)
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
- 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)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member ; Founder, Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member ; Analyst Relations Lead EMEA, Amazon Web Services (LinkedIn)
- Anja Steinmann / IIAR> UK Chapter Co-Lead ; Senior Manager Analyst Relations, Eviden (LinkedIn)
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 relations | Guest 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 Takeaways | All 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 sins | Guest Speaker: Aura Popa / CSat Host: Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member |
More on the IIAR> Analyst Relations Forum
- IIAR> Webinar: Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26)
- The 2026 IIAR> AR Forum + London Summer Party! (06/26)
- The 2025 IIAR> Forum: AR Evolution + London Summer Party! (07/25)
- IIAR> AR Forum Sessions announced: Reskill for 2025!
- Save the Date! IIAR> AR Forum London 2024 + Xmas Party, 26th November
- IIAR> Analyst Relations Forum London 2024: a day packed with learnings for analyst relations professionals
- Unmissable! Register now for the IIAR> London AR Forum: Career Growth and London Summer Party!
- IIAR> Best Practice Call: AR Measurement
- IIAR> AR Forum: Have your say on Gartner’s Initiatives for AR pros
- IIAR> London AR Forum: Best Practice followed by NelsonHall: Getting the Message Out in a Post-Truth World
Other IIAR> UK Chapter posts
- IIAR> Café: a cultural networking experience at the British Museum
- The 2026 IIAR> AR Forum + London Summer Party! (06/26)
- IIAR> London Café (11/25)
- Celebrating Excellence: IIAR> AOTY & ARPOTY 2025 Awards Launch (12/25)
- The IIAR> 2025 London Xmas Party London – Sponsored by Omdia, Verdantix, Narrativeworx and Amdocs (12/25)
- IIAR> London Café (09/25)
- The 2025 IIAR> Forum: AR Evolution + London Summer Party! (07/25)
- IIAR> AR Forum Sessions announced: Reskill for 2025!
- Save the Date! IIAR> AR Forum London 2024 + Xmas Party, 26th November
- IIAR> Analyst Relations Forum London 2024: a day packed with learnings for analyst relations professionals
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:
- 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)
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
- Check our discussion thread on this webinar in the IIAR> Members discussion forum
- The presentation slides of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members file library.
- Check out the IIAR> Viewpoint on this Webinar in the IIAR> Viewpoints.
- The full recording of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content
Video highlights
Other IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : Dresner Advisory Services – Highlights (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Dresner Advisory (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : BARC – Highlights (09/25)
- IIAR> Webinar on Expanding AR’s Toolbox: Non-Traditional AR Services – Highlights (05/25)
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : Dresner Advisory Services – Highlights (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Dresner Advisory (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : BARC – Highlights (09/25)
- IIAR> Webinar on Expanding AR’s Toolbox: Non-Traditional AR Services – Highlights (05/25)
As the influence landscape evolves, sourcing advisors are playing an increasingly important role alongside traditional analysts. For analyst relations (AR) teams, understanding how to engage with this group effectively is becoming a critical capability.
Advisor relations require a distinct approach—balancing insight sharing, relationship building, and alignment across multiple stakeholders. Organisations that get this right can unlock new opportunities for influence and impact.
In this IIAR> Webinar, AR professionals will share practical strategies and lessons learned from working with advisors across different markets and contexts.
Key themes include:
- Understanding advisor ecosystems
Who sourcing advisors are and how they differ from traditional analysts. - Engagement strategies
How AR teams can build meaningful, productive relationships with advisors. - Expanding AR scope
Integrating advisor relations into your broader AR and influence strategy. - Practical takeaways
Real-world examples and actionable insights you can apply immediately.
This IIAR> Webinar is hosted by:
- Akshaya Soni Sri /Analyst Relations Lead, Zoho (Linkedin)
- Aniruddho Mukherjee / Global AR Lead, AWS and IIAR> Board Member (Linkedin)
Our Guest speakers will be:
- Ed Gyurko / Global and EMEA Analyst Relations and Advisor Relations Consultant and IIAR> Member (Linkedin)
- Janmajijai Dhyani / Director & Head, Advisory/Analyst Relations, Tredence and IIAR> Member (Linkedin)
Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026
Time: 1500 IST / 1030 BST / 0530 EDT (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- Check our discussion thread on this webinar in the IIAR> Members discussion forum
- The presentation slides of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members file library.
- The full recording of this webinar is available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content
Other IIAR> Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Webinar: Insights from over 40 AR professionals to accelerate your AR journey, (07/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Webinar with India Chapter: Advisor Relations(04/26)
- Measuring analyst influence: turning IIAR> Awards insights into action (03/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
Following the announcement of the IIAR> Awards 2025 winners, we are hosting a special follow-up webinar designed to move the conversation forward — from recognition to actionable insight.
The Awards reflect a composite view of influence across Analysts and Analyst Firms. In this session, we will revisit how IIAR> determined the Awards using:
- Member survey data and peer nominations
- Insights from the AR Insights Power 100 and Narrative Worx data
- Media mentions and broader visibility indicators
Each of these inputs captures a different dimension of impact — peer credibility, analyst recognition, and market visibility.
From recognition to data-driven engagement
This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by Aniruddho Mukherjee / Global AR Lead Edge and Advanced Compute, AWS and IIAR> Board Member (Linkedin), he will be joined by Bill Reed / Managing Director, NarrativeWorx (LinkedIn)to add a powerful analytical lens to the discussion.
NarrativeWorx’ platform combines more than 6,000 data sources across:
- Industry analyst research
- Traditional media
- Social media
- Deep web content
Through advanced sentiment and visibility analytics, organizations can move beyond anecdotal perception and measure narrative positioning, tone, and share of voice in a structured way.
Helping AR professionals engage more strategically
This webinar will aid AR professionals engage the right analysts with greater precision.
We will explore:
- How different measurement lenses surface different types of influence
- How sentiment and visibility data can identify priority analysts
- Where survey insights complement data aggregation tools
- How to translate measurement into smarter engagement strategies
Influence is not accidental. It is built intentionally — through informed outreach, consistent narrative clarity, and measurable impact.
Join the discussion
If you are looking to strengthen your analyst engagement strategy using evidence, not assumption, this session will provide practical frameworks and real-world examples.
We look forward to celebrating the 2025 winners — and equipping the AR community with sharper tools to engage, prioritize, and lead with data
This IIAR> Discussion Group is hosted by the IIAR>
- Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member and Analyst Relations Lead EMEA, Amazon Web Services (LinkedIn)
- Bill Reed / Co-Founder Narrative Worx and IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
Date> Thursday 19th March 2026
Time> 0800 PST / 1100 EST / 1600 GMT / 2130 IST (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming and to the stored content
IIAR> Analyst Awards #AOTY
- And the winners are… Celebrating the IIAR> Awards recipients for 2025 (12/25)
- Celebrating Excellence: IIAR> AOTY & ARPOTY 2025 Awards Launch (12/25)
- The IIAR> 2025 London Xmas Party London – Sponsored by Omdia, Verdantix, Narrativeworx and Amdocs (12/25)
- The Wait is Over! Announcing the IIAR> Award Winners for 2024.
- Save the Date! IIAR> AR Forum London 2024 + Xmas Party, 26th November
- IIAR> Webinar: top 5 lessons from the 2023 IIAR> Awards winners
- The GenAR Awards are in! Announcing the 2023 IIAR> Awards winners.
- The IIAR> 2023 London Xmas party & awards are coming!
- A Deep Dive into the 2022 IIAR> Awards
- 2022 IIAR> Awards Winners
IIAR> AR pros Awards #ARPOTY
- And the winners are… Celebrating the IIAR> Awards recipients for 2025 (12/25)
- Celebrating Excellence: IIAR> AOTY & ARPOTY 2025 Awards Launch (12/25)
- The IIAR> 2025 London Xmas Party London – Sponsored by Omdia, Verdantix, Narrativeworx and Amdocs (12/25)
- The Wait is Over! Announcing the IIAR> Award Winners for 2024.
- Save the Date! IIAR> AR Forum London 2024 + Xmas Party, 26th November
- The GenAR Awards are in! Announcing the 2023 IIAR> Awards winners.
- The IIAR> 2023 London Xmas party & awards are coming!
- A Deep Dive into the 2022 IIAR> Awards
- 2022 IIAR> Awards Winners
- Announcing the IIAR> Awards 2022!
Join us on Tuesday 17th March from 0700 PDT for an in-person IIAR> 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 (refreshments not included).
This IIAR> Café is hosted by Aniruddho Mukherjee / Global AR Lead – Edge and Advanced Compute at AWS and IIAR> Board Member (Linkedin) and Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and network with your AR peers.
When> Tuesday 17th March 2026
Time> 0700 PDT (other time zones)
Where> San Jose, California, USA
IIAR> members registration
Please register on our member portal and we’ll send you the location details ASAP.
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
- IIAR> Café: a cultural networking experience at the British Museum
- IIAR> Café, Noida (Delhi NCR): connecting the AR community in India, (07/26)
- IIAR> Café: at NVIDIA GTC, San Jose – 2026 (03/26)
- IIAR> London Café (11/25)
- IIAR> London Café (09/25)
- IIAR> Café, 30th April: Navigating the RSA 2025 Analyst Landscape (04/25)
- IIAR> Café, 6th March: Navigating the Mobile World Congress Analyst Landscape (03/25)
- IIAR> London in-person meet-up, 29 February
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 28 September 2023
- IIAR> London In-person Meetup 27 April 2023
Misinformation: AI can spread incorrect data and strengthen existing biases, which may result in inaccurate analysis.
Loss of Human Touch: Relying too much on AI can weaken personal relationships and make it harder to understand the tone in messages.
Privacy Concerns: Working with large amounts of data can increase the risk of privacy issues and make it harder to protect sensitive information.
Overdependence on Technology: Relying too much on AI tools can weaken critical thinking skills and make organizations more vulnerable.
Compliance and Ethical Issues: Ensuring that AI systems adhere to regulations and ethical standards is complex and essential for maintaining trust.
This IIAR> Discussion Group will be hosted by the IIAR> Editorial Committee:
- Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
Date> Tuesday 24th February 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1600 GMT / 2130 IST(other time zones)
Member resources
- The IIAR> Viewpoint paper from this webinar is available in the IIAR> Member File Library >
IIAR> Discussion Group: The Dangers of AI for AR - Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content
Other IIAR> Viewpoints
]]>Check the highlights of our IIAR> Firms Webinar with IDC Meredith Whalen / Chief Research and Data Officer, IDC (LinkedIn), Joe Bradley / SVP AI & Chief Scientist, IDC (LinkedIn), Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn), Ludovic Leforestier/ IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (@lludovic, LinkedIn), Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn) on Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Read the blog post here.
]]>The IIAR> is hosting a members-only session that will examine how AI is reshaping analyst relations. Joined by Rob Smith / Lionfish (LinkedIn) and Sonya Vargas / Databricks (LinkedIn), the IIAR> Editorial Committee will focus the discussion on RFI response-generating tools, including Lionfish and Databricks (ARIA) RFI response generators. These discussions will help set the foundation for ongoing conversations in our community as we navigate AI tools within AR.
This has been the most commonly requested webinar topic among our member polls. AI is moving quickly, and the questions AR teams are facing are evolving just as fast. We’re creating a dedicated space to compare approaches, share examples, and sense-check what’s working.
Some of the questions we’ll explore together:
- How are AR pros using RFI AI tools?
- How are analysts themselves using RFI AI tools, and how should vendors adapt accordingly?
- In what ways is AI delivering value, and in what ways is AI causing more challenges in terms of responding to analyst RFI’s?
In 2026, the IIAR> plans to launch regular conversations focused on AI in analyst relations. This discussion is the first step: it 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:
- Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Dr. Jochen Wolf / Global Communications and Analyst Relations Professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
- Robin Schaffer / Principal AR Consultant, Schaffer AR (LinkedIn)
- Sarita Kincaid / Senior Director, Analyst Relations, SugarCRM (LinkedIn)
Date> Thursday 27th January 2026
Time> 0800 PDT / 1100 EDT / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)
Member resources
- The IIAR> Viewpoint paper from this webinar is available in the IIAR> Member File Library >
IIAR> Discussion Webinar: RFI response-generating AI tools - Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming or to the stored content
Other IIAR> Viewpoints
]]>It’s been a year since Blackstone divested Foundry, effectively splitting the 62 year old research firm IDC from its parent company and media group formerly known as IDG.
As one of the FIG’s along with Gartner and Forrester, IDC is a key player for analyst relations professionals –especially considering its global reach and local relevance in many geographies. There’s been many changes since, with many analysts moving to global roles.
Our upcoming inaugural 2026 IIAR> webinar with IDC could not be more timely. Joined by senior IDC leaders Meredith Whalen and Joe Bradley, we will explore how trusted insight is evolving as AI disrupts the traditional analyst firm value equation, how IDC is meeting rising client expectations, and what AR professionals should now expect from analyst firms in an AI-driven landscape. This session offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from IDC leadership on what has changed, what remains core, and how IDC is positioning itself for the next phase of analyst relations.
Our guests from IDC will be:
- Meredith Whalen / Chief Research and Data Officer, IDC (LinkedIn)
- Joe Bradley / SVP AI & Chief Scientist, IDC (LinkedIn)
This IIAR> Webinar will be hosted by:
- Chris Germann / Independent AR professional, IIAR> Member (LinkedIn)
- Ludovic Leforestier / IIAR> Board Member and Founder Starsight Communications (@lludovic, LinkedIn)
- Noelle Shipley / Independent AR professional (LinkedIn)
Date> Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Time> 0700 PST / 1000 EST / 1500 GMT / 2030 IST (other time zones)
Slides and recording will be available on the IIAR> Members Area
- The full recording of this webinar will be available to Members on the IIAR> Members video library.
- Become an IIAR> member today to receive access to the LIVE streaming and to the stored content
Video highlights
Other IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinars
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : Dresner Advisory Services – Highlights (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Dresner Advisory (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : BARC – Highlights (09/25)
- IIAR> Webinar on Expanding AR’s Toolbox: Non-Traditional AR Services – Highlights (05/25)
- IIAR> Webinar : Independent Analyst Panel Highlights (06/26)
- IIAR> Independent Analyst Panel, (06/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia – Highlights (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Omdia (04/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : Dresner Advisory Services – Highlights (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: Dresner Advisory (10/25)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : BARC – Highlights (09/25)
- IIAR> Webinar on Expanding AR’s Toolbox: Non-Traditional AR Services – Highlights (05/25)
Related posts on IDC
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar : IDC- Highlights (02/26)
- IIAR> Analyst Firm Webinar: IDC (02/26)
- And the winners are… Celebrating the IIAR> Awards recipients for 2025 (12/25)
- Celebrating Excellence: IIAR> AOTY & ARPOTY 2025 Awards Launch (12/25)
- Expanding AR’s Toolbox: Non-traditional AR Services (05/25)
- IDG to divest Foundry, what’s next for IDC?
- The Wait is Over! Announcing the IIAR> Award Winners for 2024.
- IIAR> Webinar: top 5 lessons from the 2023 IIAR> Awards winners
- The GenAR Awards are in! Announcing the 2023 IIAR> Awards winners.
- IIAR> Discussion Group + Viewpoints: Forrester Pricing and Negotiation (and other firms)
To determine the winners, the IIAR> conducted two global surveys, gathering input from both AR professionals across various sectors and industry analysts. This unique approach, combining both sides, ensures broad coverage of expertise and perspectives. The evaluation process relied on the IIAR> SOSM methodology, which highlights best practices by assessing factors such as perceived impact on sales, strategic insights, media resonance, and the ease of collaboration with professionals.
This year, AR professionals from 11 different countries cast their votes, offering valuable insights into both the perceived benefits of engaging with analysts and the value analyst firms deliver to their clients. Among respondents, 61% represented organisations with annual revenues exceeding USD 1 billion. The average AR team size was 18 members (up by 3 compared to previous data), with a median team size of 7 (an increase of 2). Analyst firms were evaluated on:
- Quality of Analysts – the knowledge, quality and accessibility of analysts based on technology areas; industry insights and geo coverage
- Coverage Depth -the firm’s coverage of industry segment
- Content Quality – the quality and readability of research coverage for technology areas; industry insights and geo coverage
- Website and/or App – the ease of information access using the analyst firm website and / or App. The ease of booking enquiry and briefing calls with the analysts using the website
- Value for Money – the value for money with respect to the level of insight provided
- Client experience – experience taking into account the commercial aspect (sales helpfulness, flexibility, offerings transparency, etc)
The IIAR> analyst survey drew respondents from 59 firms across 31 countries. These analysts represented a broad spectrum of industries, ensuring extensive coverage of sectors and the AR professionals with whom they collaborate. The feedback collected was specifically aligned with the IIAR>’s “3Rs of Analyst Relations” framework, which serves as a foundation for assessing and guiding AR practices.
In 2025, analysts prioritise results-driven AR engagements, focusing on business impact, strategic insights, and open, confidential communication. However, frustrations arise from delayed responses, lack of follow-up, irrelevant information, and an overemphasis on marketing messages at the expense of transparency and relevance.
- Responsiveness – analysts expect AR pros to revert to them in a timely fashion with the information required for their research.
- Relationships – analysts have many stakeholders; they rely on someone easy to deal with who always goes that extra mile.
- Results – can AR pros deliver results for their employers?
Overall, the respondents from the 2025 IIAR> Awards Survey expressed their main challenges as centered around the need for more authentic expertise, ethical practices, personalised engagement and balanced focus from analyst firms and AR professionals. Respondents seek improved collaboration, transparency and value from both analyst firms and the AR community.
Aniruddho Mukherjee / IIAR> Board Member (@aniruddho, LinkedIn)
The IIAR> Analyst Awards 2025 winners
For the 17th year, AR professionals from 11 countries voted in the IIAR> Awards, to reward analysts who have made significant contributions to the community.
IIAR>Analyst of the Year 2025, Americas : Chirag Dekate / Gartner
IAR> Analyst of the Year 2025, Americas: Chirag Dekate / VP Quantum Technologies (Computing, Networking, Sensing), AI, Digital R&D, Emerging Tech / Gartner (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Ed Anderson / Gartner (LinkedIn) and Patrick Moorhead / Moor Insights (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2025, EMEA:
Jen Thomson / IDC
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2025, EMEA: Jen Thomson / Associate Vice President Accelerated App Delivery, Cloud and Services Research, Europe, IDC (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Alessandro Galimberti / Gartner (LinkedIn) and Andrew Buss / IDC (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2025, APAC : Akimasa Nakao / Gartner
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2025, APAC: Akimasa Nakao / Senior Principal Analyst, Gartner (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Adrian Wong / Gartner (LinkedIn) and Shen Wang / Omdia (LInkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst Firm of the Year 2025: Omdia
We are delighted to announce that Omdia has won the IIAR> Analyst Firm of the Year Award, based on votes from the Analyst Relations community, breaking IDC’s impressive five-year streak at the top. IDC claimed second place, with Gartner, Everest Group, and Verdantix completing this year’s top five.
IIAR> New Analyst of the Year 2025: Mark Jaggers / Gartner
IIAR> New Analyst of the Year 2025: Mark Jaggers / Senior Director Analyst, Gartner (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Jason Bremner / IDC (LinkedIn), Norkit Lepcha / Avasant (LinkedIn)
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner of the Year 2025, Americas : Alex Viscusi / Informa TechTarget
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner Of the Year 2025, Americas: Alex Viscusi / Account Director, Portfolio Sales, Informa TechTarget (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Michael DeVagno / Informa TechTarget (LinkedIn), Kristina Miller / Gartner (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner of the Year 2025, EMEA: Judith Justin / IDC
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner Of the Year 2025, EMEA: Judith Justin / Associate Vice President Sales, Europe Core, IDC (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Jonny Trick / Forrester (LinkedIn), Burns Taylor / Omdia (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner of the Year 2025, APAC: Karthik Jayakumar / Omdia
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner Of the Year 2025, APAC: Karthik Jayakumar / Director, Asia Pacific (ANZ, South East Asia & India), Omdia (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Priyanka Chib / Avasant (LinkedIn), Cecilia C. / Frost & Sullivan (LinkedIn).
The IIAR> Analyst Relations Awards of the Year 2025 winners.
Thanks to the analyst community for taking time to vote and recognise their AR counterparts.
The IIAR>’s recognition of excellence within the analyst relations community marks a pivotal moment for our industry—not only as a celebration of the outstanding work of colleagues and peers but also as a valuable opportunity to gather insights directly from analysts. Responses from analysts representing over 59 firms form the foundation of this process and the resulting awards. Analysts were encouraged to provide detailed, constructive feedback, offering AR professionals the unique chance to engage in a two-way dialogue. We deeply appreciate the analyst community for dedicating their time and thoughtful input amidst their demanding schedules, including vendor briefings and research commitments. A heartfelt thanks to all who participated!
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, Americas: Stephanie Look / Google
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, Americas: Stephanie Look / Head of Analyst Relations, Google (LinkedIn)
Runner ups: Kayli Berlin / Databricks (LinkedIn), Jane Biba / Lumen (LinkedIn).
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, APAC: Irene Chow / Equinix
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, APAC: Irene Chow / Analyst Relations Lead, Asia Pacific (LinkedIn)
Runner ups: Shweta Wadhwa / Wipro (LinkedIn), Edgar Yang / Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (LinkedIn).
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, EMEA: Michael Rennett / SUSE
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2025, EMEA: Michael Rennett / Director, Analyst Relations, SUSE (LinkedIn)
Runner ups: Amanda Lopez / HPE (LinkedIn), Norbert Bras / PwC (LinkedIn).
IIAR> AR Team of the Year 2025: Google
In addition, analysts also voted Google the best IIAR> AR Team of the Year. This category recognises teams at Megavendors, defined as companies with over USD 20 billion in global annual revenues and providing a mix of three or more of the following: IT hardware, networking equipment, telecommunication services, enterprise software, IT services and outsourcing, and business consulting.
Google was closely followed by Amazon, Cisco, IBM and Microsoft all in this megavendors AR teams ranking.
IIAR> AR Agency of the Year 2025, Americas: Spotlight AR
Rick Nash / CEO, Spotlight AR (LinkedIn)
IIAR> AR Agency of the Year 2025, EMEA: Starsight Communications
Analyst relations veteran Ludovic Leforestier is the Founder, Starsight Communications (@lludovic, LinkedIn), voted top analyst relations EMEA agency in 2025 by industry analysts.
A category for agencies providing analyst relations services sees Spotlight AR and Starsight Communications in the top position in 2025 from Americas and EMEA respectively. Large unspecialised agencies and PR freelancers were equally shunned by analysts, demonstrating the value of specialist AR skills and staff.
Starsight Communications (see video of Ludovic Leforestier above) is followed by Loenberg AR and Dennington AR ; Spotlight AR is followed by Schaffer AR, Vested, WE and AR Insights in the Americas,
See the list of IIAR> Member AR Agencies here.
The Institute for Influencer and Analyst Relations (IIAR>) is a not-for-profit member 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 AR practitioners to network with their industry peers.