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Michael Riegel

Vice President

Industries, Platforms, and Services Marketing

As Vice President, Industries, Platforms, and Services Marketing, Mike Riegel leads the marketing for several of Cisco’s company-wide initiatives and leads the marketing for Cisco’s largest division – Cisco Services.

Mike has over 18 years of experience in the high-tech industry driving breakthrough innovations, top line revenue growth, and client satisfaction. His executive leadership roles have included general management, sales, product management, mergers and acquisitions, channel management, and marketing in software, services, and hardware.

Prior to joining Cisco, Mike spent fourteen years at IBM. He was most recently Vice-President of Marketing for WebSphere and Mobile, where he led the marketing and strategy for IBM’s largest software brand and launched IBM’s newest brand, IBM MobileFirst. Mike led IBM’s work with startups and universities and served as Vice-President of Sales for IBM’s Business Continuity Services unit.

Mike also served as CEO of Arsenal Digital Solutions in 2007 as IBM acquired the company. Mike led Arsenal’s global expansion to more than twenty countries and led the efforts to deliver on the company’s mission of becoming the leading provider of cloud-based information protection services.

Prior to joining IBM, Mike worked at InterAmerica Technologies, a privately held software firm in McLean, Virginia. He also worked as an economic advisor in the United States Congress. Mike has served on the Board of Trustees for Saint Anselm College and on the Board of Directors for the Software & Information Industry Association, and he currently is serving on the Board of Directors for the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross in North Carolina. He also has been an active supporter of the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina and

has mobilized the Cisco RTP teams to volunteer hundreds or hours to alleviate the hunger problem in Eastern North Carolina.

Mike has been a featured speaker at events around the world covering topics as diverse as mobile innovation and transformation, business transformation, leadership and change management, marketing and branding strategies, channel marketing and development, innovation and business strategy, risk management, sustainable cities, Linux and open-source trends, software and cloud-based business models, and social media marketing. He was featured in Businessweek magazine and was profiled in Forbes India for his work in leading IBM’s programs with startups and venture capital firms.

Mike and his teams have been recognized with many of the industry’s highest awards for marketing, channel programs, and innovation including:

• VarBusiness Tech Innovators Award – for breakthrough product innovation, channel programs, and accomplishments leading IBM’s Managed Services business.

• IT Services Marketing Association Award for Brand and Reputation Management – for creating the breakthrough concept, strategy, and campaign on utility computing and on demand business.

• American Advertising Federation ADDY Award – for best B2B Direct Marketing campaign of the year.

Mike received an MBA from the University of Notre Dame (Magna Cum Laude) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Politics from Saint Anselm College.

Articles

CEOs Are Missing a Huge Opportunity with Cybersecurity

Every time I hear about a new high-profile data breach—and it’s happening more often all the time—I picture what must be going on in the executive suite of that company. Are the leaders hunkering down in a defensive position, looking for someone to blame? Will they throw money at the problem as they…

April Arrives, and (No Fooling) Amazing Ideas Are in the Air

It’s the first day of April, and spring is finally here. Everywhere, a sense of renewal and optimism is spreading. So, today I’d like to focus on a few cutting-edge technologies that are transforming our world. Quantum computing? Artificial intelligence? Augmented reality? All pale in comparison to…

Oil Slump Sparks New Call for Digitization

Looking at the marketplace today, now more than ever the oil and gas industry needs to take action. Crude oil prices are at incredible lows—just over $30 last week. While I’d never assert my ability to predict future oil prices, I did ring the bell last April for digital as the modern-day anecdote f…

How Digital Solutions Can Change the Troubling Economics of Healthcare

Last week I wrote about how digital fans are expecting new experiences at NCAA games as part of March Madness. (Wow – how about some of those games this weekend – and my Fighting Irish survive and advance to the Sweet 16! But I digress…) This week I want to look at another topic—a much more importan…

NCAA March Madness – The Demands of the Digital Fan!

As one of America’s biggest annual sporting events kicks off today in basketball arenas all across the country, there is no better time to reflect on the importance of connectivity and technology in the sports and entertainment industry. Last weekend, I participated in a Connected Stadium Panel at t…

January 26, 2016

RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY

Digitization Offers Hope to Besieged Retailers

These are especially difficult times for the retail industry. For starters, several of retail’s marquee names announced store closings or layoffs following a disappointing holiday sales season. Retailers simply haven’t benefited from cheaper gas and a relatively strong overall U.S. job market —retai…

January 13, 2016

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Financial Services and Retail: ‘A (Digital) Tale of Two Industries’

Over the past six months or so, many of my blogs have dealt with the hot topic of “digital disruption” — both as a threat and an opportunity for companies, regardless of industry. Several industries already find themselves inside this swirling “Digital Vortex,” which possesses the potential to resha…

December 7, 2015

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

IoT World Forum: Translating IoT Innovation into Business Value with Analytics at the Edge

Heading into the holiday season, I can safely predict that my kids’ excitement levels will increase steadily as December 25th draws nearer. They, of course, are anticipating Christmas morning and all that it entails – a break from school, delicious brunch, hot chocolate, family time, and, just maybe…

December 2, 2015

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital Transformation Unlocks the Door to Services Revenue in Manufacturing

Digital business transformation is a sometimes-vexing journey, with no shortage of pain points along the way. The rewards, however, more than offset the difficulties. How do I know? Because the transformation that so many organizations are undertaking reflects Cisco’s own, sometimes challenging jour…