The Channel Company Launches New Media Site For Elite Channel Executives

The Channel Company Wednesday launched ITbestofbreed.com today, a new media site to provide solution providers with the tools they need to stay competitive as they tackle technology challenges and transform their business models.

The site will publish content on topics important to C-level channel executives, including business model transformation, best practices, sales and marketing tactics and technologies. ITbestofbreed.com espouses the concept of "collaborative media," bringing together original editorial content, insight from market veterans, social media, vendor sponsors and more. The new site was created as a complement to The Channel Company's four-year-old Best of Breed Conference, a gathering that provides solution providers with guidance and best practices as they redefine their businesses.

The goal of ITbestofbreed.com is to build an online resource for the channel elite to bring together best practices from channel thought leaders and editorial content exploring issues important to C-level executives, The Channel Company CEO Robert Faletra said.

"The launch of ITbestofbreed.com brings together some of the best channel insights from hundreds of sources," Faletra said. "Combining that expertise with the breaking news and analysis from CRN means that solution providers will have access to the best tools and information to succeed in a transforming industry."

[Related: The Channel Company Prepares Launch of Website For Elite Partners Led By Veteran Tech Journalist ]

To help with the site launch and building creative content, The Channel Company has brought back former CRN editor, award winning freelance business journalist and high tech specialist Heather Clancy as Editorial Strategist for ITbestofbreed.com. Clancy will work on a part-time basis to build content and work with editors on the direction of the site.

"I love seeing solution providers successful, and I know that as a community they love sharing best practices with each other. I think there needs to be more coverage of what works for different business models," Clancy said. "That's why I'm involved."

While solution providers have access to great technology news and analysis, Clancy said there needs to be more content to help nurture the business side of the conversation as well.

"It's one thing to be able to sell one technology and it's a whole other thing to run a whole company. Any founder of these companies has craved this advice for a long time. It's just healthy for them to learn about the business side of the solution, not just the technology side," Clancy said. "Certifications can only go so far, you need to be able to build visions that can grow businesses for the longevity of the company, not just the quarter."

Jed Ayres, CMO of Cleveland-based MCPc, No. 89 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 list, said that the launch of the site is "extremely timely" for the channel.

"As the technology landscape moves faster and is more complex, the stakes have never been higher," Ayres said. "As solution providers trying to cross the chasm to this new style of IT, having a resource that is providing analysis around best-in-class business strategy and thought leadership is extremely meaningful. It is all about transformation, and this Website will provide another perspective on the best way to survive and thrive in this new era."

The Channel Company's Best of Breed Conference is scheduled for Oct. 13 to 15. Both HP CEO Meg Whitman and Dell CEO Michael Dell will keynote the event in Orlando, Fla.

PUBLISHED MAY 21, 2014