Technology Leader and Early Amazon Executive Brian Birtwistle Joins Indigo as Chief Product Officer
-Birtwistle joins Indigo after a career developing successful go-to-market strategies for digital products at high-growth technology companies
-In his new role, Birtwistle is responsible for Indigo's digital and software products
-Birtwistle's arrival highlights Indigo's focus on digital technologies that enable data-driven farming and increased food system transparency
Aug 01, 2018, 09:00 ET
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Indigo Ag, Inc., a company dedicated to harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet, announces the hiring of Brian Birtwistle as Chief Product Officer. Birtwistle will establish the long-term vision for Indigo's digital and software products, built to support the profitability and sustainability of farms around the world. He will focus on the continuous improvement and expansion of Indigo's digital technologies, bringing more value to growers, buyers, and ultimately consumers each year.
On joining Indigo, Birtwistle said, "In less than four years, Indigo has brought several products to market - Indigo Treated Seed, Indigo Production, On-Farm Storage, Indigo Research PartnersTM - that incorporate innovations in both microbiology and software to support the company's commitments to grower profitability, environmental sustainability, and the alignment of agricultural practices with consumer preferences. I'm thrilled to be joining a company that has innovated and delivered at this pace."
Birtwistle was an early executive at Amazon, involved in laying the company's foundation through his role in product management and as one of Amazon's first general managers. He joined the company in 1997, and spent the next five years establishing and growing several key businesses. Most recently, Birtwistle served as Chief Operating Officer at Tilt, leading go-to-market and operations functions for its social-payments model before the company was acquired by Airbnb. Before this, he was Vice President of Marketing at Zynga, a popular social gaming platform, where he spearheaded product marketing, online advertising, partnerships, and brand strategy in the lead-up to its IPO. Birtwistle was part of the core team that grew Zynga to multi-billion dollar revenues. He also serves as Board Director for Silicon Valley's Second Harvest Food Bank, one of the largest food banks in the nation. Birtwistle holds an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
"Accomplishing Indigo's mission of harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet requires innovation in both microbial and digital technology," said David Perry, Indigo's President and CEO. "Brian has significant experience leading fast-growing technology companies and will be at the center of our continuing efforts to build a portfolio of digital and software products that unlock new markets for growers and buyers."
About Indigo
Indigo is a company dedicated to harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet. With a vision of creating a world where farming is an economically desirable and accessible profession, Indigo works alongside its farmers to apply natural approaches, conserve resources for future generations, and grow healthy food and fiber for all. Utilizing beneficial plant microbes to improve crop health and productivity, Indigo's portfolio is currently focused on cotton, wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice. The company, founded by Flagship Pioneering, is headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices in Memphis, TN, Research Triangle Park, NC, Sydney, Australia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil. www.indigoag.com
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| Indigo Lauren Ashbrook + 1 (857) 443-9416 |
Kwittken for Indigo Margaret Manning + 1 (212) 352-4651 |
SOURCE Indigo Ag
