Alan Cheslow

OVERVIEW:

Senior software marketing professional with over 15 years of experience planning technical and business strategies, managing business relationships, and delivering award-winning products to market at startup through Fortune 100 companies. Subject matter expertise in emerging technologies including digital media, consumer electronics, and Internet services.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Strategy, planning, partner relations, product management, program management, product marketing.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Senior Product Planner, Microsoft, January 2008 - present
Direct Microsoft's product and business strategies for connected devices by conducting customer research, competitive analysis, industry analysis, and delivering recommendations to the Windows Client executive and product development teams. Identify and validate the next wave of connected devices investments and scenarios that drive new value into Windows.

 

Senior Strategic Program Manager, Intel Corporation, December 2005 - January 2008
Manage the planning and execution of business, legal, technical, and marketing strategies to engage with and influence Microsoft on the development of consumer electronics, entertainment, and PC platforms. Provide leadership and development of Intel's Digital Home product plans as they impact or create dependencies on Microsoft. Create, foster, and manage relationships between Intel and Microsoft senior executives and business groups. Key achievements include:

• Led cross-functional teams across Intel and Microsoft to successfully plan and jointly deliver HD DVD players, Mediaroom IPTV solutions, Windows Home Server appliances, Media Center PC platforms, Online Media content, and Intel Media Share Software.
• Authored and negotiated VP-level agreements to align strategic planning and investments between Intel's Digital Home Group and Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division, including a joint collaboration proposal presented to Intel CEO Paul Otellini and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
• Developed and jointly presented Intel/Microsoft marketing deliverables and recommendations for Networked Media Devices to mutual tier-one partners in the consumer electronics and PC industries.

Vice President of Marketing & Product Management, Meedio, January 2004 - December 2005
Launched this startup company and its innovative digital media software products to market; within two years the company was acquired by Yahoo!. Developed, managed, and implemented marketing, product management, and operational strategies, programs, and roadmaps. Developed and strengthened relationships with customers, partners, vendors, press and analysts. Key achievements include:

• Developed business and marketing strategies that attracted key partners including DivX Networks and resulted in an acquisition by Yahoo!.
• Successfully leveraged Agile methodologies to launch three new software products within 12 months, including a winner of a 2005 Consumer Electronics Show Innovations award and a PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award.
• Created and executed marketing strategies that resulted in 42% annual user growth, website growth to 3.5 million pageviews/month, and sales through retail outlets including CompUSA, Fry’s, Amazon.com, J&R, and Smarthome.

Senior Product Manager, IBM, September 1997 - July 2005
Defined and managed product requirements, business plans, and go-to-market strategies for multiple software products and online services. Trained and led large cross-functional teams to drive new offerings to market, communicate value propositions, and support products throughout the full software development lifecycle. Developed relationships with external partners to enhance product offerings and provide new sales channels. Key achievements include:

• Defined strategies and product requirements, directed launches, and managed individual P&Ls of up to $14M for multiple WebSphere brand products.
• Developed and executed marketing campaigns that contributed to 18% annual revenue growth in the WebSphere brand.
• Successfully coordinated organizational revenue plan totaling approximately $900 million.

Consultant, April 1993 - September 1997
Led IT and management consulting engagements for companies including Lanier Worldwide, Hitachi Telecom, Roadway Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Ohio Outdoor Advertising. Key areas of expertise include:

• UNIX administration and application development
• Network design and management
• Web development and administration
  

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor of Music, Composition & TIMARA (Technology In Music And Related Arts), Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, Ohio, 1991
• Additional studies at the University of Vienna (Vienna, Austria) and Arnold Schönberg Institute (Mödling, Austria)

ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Original compositions performed and recorded by jazz, rock, and classical ensembles across the U.S. and Europe.
• Active student of Chinese martial arts including Wing Chun Kung Fu.