The Institute for Influencer and Industry Analyst Relations (IIAR>) has announced the 2024 winners of its annual awards following an extensive survey of both sides of our community –industry analysts and analyst relations (AR) professionals. These awards are the only independent honours dedicated to recognising excellence within the technology industry’s AR and analyst professions.
To determine the winners, the IIAR> aggregated 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 strategic insights, opinion (media resonance), sales and the ease of collaboration with professionals (marketing).
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. Amongst respondents, 61% represented organisations with annual revenues exceeding $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 2024, 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.
This was analysed using the IIAR> 3R framework:
- 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?
The IIAR> Awards 2024 survey yielded many in depth insights from both the industry analyst and the analyst relations sides. Those findings will be detailed in a webinar on December 12th -more details to come.
Overall, the respondents from the 2024 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)
For the 16th 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 2024, Americas: Heather Hershey / IDC
IIAR> Americas Analyst of the Year 2024: Heather Hershey / Research Director, Worldwide Digital Commerce Strategy, IDC (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Paul Greenberg / The 56 Group (LinkedIn) and Pete Marston / IDC (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2024, EMEA: Enza Iannopollo / Forrester
IIAR> EMEA Analyst of the Year 2024: Enza Iannopollo / Principal Analyst, Forrester (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Afraz Jaffri / Gartner (LinkedIn) and Jon Collins / GigaOm (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst of the Year 2024, APAC: Cathy Huang / IDC
IIAR> APAC Analyst of the Year 2024: Cathy Huang / Research Director, IDC (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Mrinal Rai / ISG (LinkedIn) and Praveen Kona / Avasant (LInkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst Firm Of The Year 2024: IDC
For the fifth consecutive year, IDC has won the IIAR> Analyst Firm of the Year award based on the votes of the AR community, followed by Gartner and Omdia, GigaOm and Forrester rounded out the top five.
IIAR> New Analyst Of The Year 2024:Eric Domage / PAC
IIAR> New Analyst of the Year 2024: Eric Domage / Senior Analyst, PAC (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Rene Rodriguez / Gartner (LinkedIn), Nancy Gohring / IDC (LinkedIn).
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner Of The Year 2024:Lena Davies / Verdantix
IIAR> Analyst Client Partner Of The Year 2024: Lena Davies / VP Sales, Verdantix (LinkedIn).
Runner ups: Lori Tartaglia / IDC (LinkedIn), Edward Kirby / Gartner (LinkedIn).
Thanks to the analysts
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 2024, Global: Rachel Kaltenbach / Veeam
IIAR> AR Professional of the Year 2024, Global: Rachel Kaltenbach / Director, Global Analyst Relations, Veeam (LinkedIn)
Runner ups: Sarita Kincaid / SugarCRM (LinkedIn), Henry Chalian / T-Mobile (LinkedIn).
The analysts also placed in our top 10 other practitioners from Sage, SUSE, Zoho, Google, Dynatrace, PwC, and EY.
IIAR> AR Team of the Year 2024: Microsoft
In addition, analysts also voted Microsoft 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.
IIAR> AR Agency of the Year 2024, Americas: Spotlight AR
IIAR> AR Agency of the Year 2024, EMEA: Starsight Communications
A category for agencies providing analyst relations services sees Spotlight AR and Starsight Communications in the top position in 2024 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.
Spotlight AR is followed by Schaffer AR in the Americas, Starsight Communications is followed by Magnolia AR and TechComms in EMEA.
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.
- The IIAR> AR Professional, Team and Agency of the Year
- The IIAR> Analyst and Firm Of The Year
Related
Discover more from The IIAR> Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
