ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES APPOINTS MARION OBERGFELL TO BRING NEW FOCUS TO CHANNEL STRATEGY

Zebra Technologies Europe Ltd, a global leader in on-demand printing solutions for business improvement, has appointed Marion Obergfell as EMEA channel marketing manager, a new role the company has created to bring a fresh focus to its channel operations.

Zebra Technologies, which sells exclusively through the channel in Europe, is uniting responsibility for the company's EMEA partner strategy and programmes under Obergfell. These include channel recruitment, training, communications and marketing. Obergfell's first project will be to develop and roll out a consistent partner strategy and supporting programme across the EMEA region, defining Zebra Technologies' proposition to all of its channel partners.

Ashley Ford, sales director for Zebra Technologies EMEA, says: "When I joined Zebra Technologies earlier this year, I promised to listen to our partners in order to deliver programmes and products that meet their needs. As a result we are driving initiatives that bring clarity and consistency to our channel offering. Our first, and most visible, demonstration of our commitment to this programme is the appointment of Marion Obergfell. We believe that our investment in such a highly-skilled and experienced channel operator will bring fast and tangible benefits to our partners' businesses."

Obergfell joins Zebra from Dell Corporation, where she was alliances marketing manager. Obergfell spearheaded Dell's strategic alliances management, overseeing its investment in its first integrated push into joint sales & marketing activities with its partners. Prior to this, Obergfell spent four years at Xerox Office Group where she managed PR and communications for Europe. She also spent eight years at Tektronix Colour Printer Division in a number of different European and field-based marketing roles, including channel- and product marketing and PR. Obergfell was responsible for developing and launching Tektronix CPID's first pan-European channel pricing and discount strategy. She started her career in IT in 1987 as product manager for Protek (Hewlett Packard reseller) in the UK.

Obergfell says: "I intend to develop and deploy a channel strategy and pricing structure that delivers profitable growth for both Zebra and its partners. I have been given a great foundation for this in the award-winning "Partners First" programme that Zebra is running in the USA. I'll be looking to build on this to create a clear, consistent and solid strategy in the EMEA region to both support and promote mutual growth."