Penton Technology Expands Staff with the Hiring of Two New Content Directors

NEW YORK, March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton Technology has expanded its content ranks with the hiring of two new content directors who will oversee The VAR Guy and MSPmentor, respectively.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160229/338660LOGO

Veteran tech writer Kristy (Kris) Blackmon steps into the role as Editor-in-Chief of The VAR Guy while longtime journalist Aldrin Brown will serve as Editor-in-Chief of MSPmentor. The media sites are two of the brands that comprise Penton Technology's Channel Group of properties and events. In addition to The VAR Guy and MSPmentor, Penton Technology owns Talkin' Cloud, The WHIR and Web Hosting Talk.

Blackmon comes to Penton Technology from Idea Grove, one of the fastest-growing inbound marketing agencies in the country. In her most recent role, Blackmon worked as a senior content manager and oversaw the marketing strategies for multiple clients in the B2B technology sector. She was also responsible for the creation and maintenance of brand personas and messaging platforms for clients, and is the author of numerous eBooks, white papers, articles, and blog posts.

Both a technology and business writer, Blackmon will be responsible for the overall content direction of The VAR Guy, and play a key role in Penton Technology's annual Channel Directions Live conference, webinars, videos and podcasts. Based in Dallas, she will report to Penton Technology Senior Content Director T.C. Doyle.

"Having worked in technology for the last several years, I'm well-acquainted with Penton Technology's reputation for expertise and quality journalism," said Blackmon. "I'm excited to join T.C. Doyle and the rest of the content team in delivering information and insight to help organizations in the channel take their business to the next level."

Veteran journalist Aldrin Brown comes to Penton Technology from Empire Digital Strategies, a business-to-business consulting firm that he founded that provides e-commerce, content and social media solutions to businesses, nonprofits and other organizations seeking to create or grow their digital presence.

Previously, Brown served as the Desert Bureau Chief for City News Service in Southern California and Regional Editor for Patch, AOL's network of local news sites. At Patch, he managed a staff of journalists and more than 30 hyper-local and business news and information websites throughout California. In addition to his work in technology and business, Brown was the city editor for The Sun, a daily newspaper based in San Bernardino, CA; the college sports editor at The Tennessean, Nashville, TN; and an investigative reporter at the Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA.

Brown will be responsible for overall content at MSPmentor, and likewise play a key role in Penton Technology events, webinars, videos, podcasts and research efforts such as the newly enhanced MSPmentor 501 study and ranking. Based in Southern California, he will also report to Doyle.

"I'm honored to join the team at MSPmentor, a leading source for industry experts focused on the channel landscape and managed services provider market," Brown said. "I very much look forward to climbing under the hood of the brand's amazing products, including this year's more comprehensive MSP 501 ranking of the world's top MSP firms."

"Aldrin and Kris bring new energy, skills and insights that will help elevate our channel properties across the board at an exciting time of industry transformation," said Marcia Parker, Executive Director, Content, for Penton Technology. "I fully expect these two pros to become thought leaders throughout the channel and beyond."

ABOUT PENTON TECHNOLOGY 
Our seasoned Penton Technology journalists and network of industry experts and thought leaders are dedicated to helping our audience of more than 10+ million professionals do their jobs well every day.  Our Channel properties, MSPmentor, The VAR Guy, Talkin' Cloud, The WHIR and Web Hosting Talk, cover expert advice, news and analysis, insights and business strategies that solution and service providers need to serve the enterprise, mid markets and small businesses.  Penton Tech also offers a host of premier networking and professional development opportunities, including conferences, events and education, as well as custom content marketing service.

ABOUT PENTON
Penton is an innovative information services company that empowers nearly 20 million business decision makers in markets that drive more than $12 trillion in purchases each year. Our products inform with rich industry insights and workflow tools; engage through dynamic events, education and networking; and advance business with powerful marketing services programs. Penton is the way smart businesses buy, sell and grow.

Headquartered in New York, Penton is privately owned by MidOcean Partners and Wasserstein & Co., LP. For more information, visit http://www.penton.com or follow us on Twitter @PentonNow.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Sperling
Group Marketing Director, 
Penton Technology  
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton

Related Links

http://www.penton.com