Ingram Micro aims for new heights

In its first marketing offensive since new managing director Matt Sanderson took the helm, distributor is keen to bring its vendors and resellers together

Eye on the ball: Ingram used the London Eye to launch its Showcase event this week

Broadliner Ingram Micro has taken the wraps off its latest marketing initiative – the Ingram Micro showcase.

The Milton-Keynes-based distribution giant is looking to get closer to its vendors and resellers with the Showcase, which is taking place on 6 October. The event will include an exhibition at some top venues on London's South Bank, followed by an awards presentation and dinner at Altitude in Millbank Tower.

Vendors are also being encouraged to take up to 25 selected resellers up on the London Eye in specially reserved pods during the day, where they will be assured of a captive audience.

Matt Sanderson, who took over as managing director of Ingram Micro UK last year, said: “For us it is about engaging with the market again and making sure vendors are engaging with resellers. The market has driven a lot of people to be inward looking, but many are believing that now is the time to engage.

“We have been speaking to resellers and vendors and there is no set format to this event yet. We want to hear from vendors about the approach they want us to take with this. Part of the role of distribution is to bring everyone together and give them the right platform.”

Gemma Telford, head of marketing at Ingram added: “2009 was one of the toughest years in IT in recent history. 2010 is feeling more positive and we [Ingram] have had strong Q1 results. This is the year when we positively engage with the channel.
“The showcase is all about reaching new heights and the theme is aiming high. It is purely an Ingram Micro event, and is not designed to compete with other events in the channel calendar,” she said.