On the road: Jennifer Jarrad, Elastic

Join host Rick Currier as he explores the dynamic world of tech marketing with Jennifer Jarrad, Partner Marketing Director at Elastic. Discover Jennifer’s  journey from G-Tech Technologies to leading innovative marketing strategies at Elastic. Explore topics like search analytics, observability, and partner marketing’s challenges and opportunities in the B2B tech space. Gain insights into the future of marketing and the importance of human connection in virtual settings.

From traditional to transformational: a conversation with Jennifer Jarrad

In the latest episode of “On The Road,” Rick Currier sits down with Jennifer Jarrad, a seasoned marketer with a wealth of experience spanning various facets of the industry. Jennifer, currently at Elastic, shares her journey and insights into the evolving landscape of marketing, particularly in the tech sector.

The early days: lottery systems and barcode printers

Jennifer’s career began in a rather unconventional setting—working for GTECH Technologies, a company specializing in online lottery systems. “It was a fantastic way for me to start my career because I was working on projects and living in lots of different countries,” she recalled. This early experience provided her with a global perspective and a solid foundation in managing diverse teams and complex projects.

Transitioning from setting up lottery systems in countries like Sweden and Spain, Jennifer moved into the marketing world of barcode printers with Datamax. This shift allowed her to dive deep into various marketing disciplines, gaining experience in field, partner, and content marketing. “I was doing a little bit of everything,” she said, reflecting on the broad skill set she developed during this time.

The shift to enterprise tech

Jennifer’s entry into the enterprise tech sector began with her role at Veritas, which was later acquired by Symantec. Here, she started in partner marketing, supporting Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and eventually transitioned into distribution marketing. This role marked the beginning of her deep dive into tech marketing, laying the groundwork for her subsequent positions at SAP and AWS.

Elastic: search, security, and observability

Today, Jennifer is a key player at Elastic, a company renowned for its expertise in search, observability, and security solutions. “Our foundation is based on search,” she explained. Elastic leverages its robust search capabilities to provide comprehensive solutions in security, observability, and now, generative AI. This innovative approach allows organizations to gain critical insights and make informed decisions by aggregating data into a single, actionable view.

Integrating field and partner marketing

Jennifer’s extensive background in both field and partner marketing gives her a unique perspective on how these disciplines intersect and complement each other. At SAP, she focused heavily on field marketing, organizing physical events and supporting specific geographic regions. In contrast, her role at AWS involved partner marketing, where she honed her skills in building and maintaining strategic partnerships.

This dual expertise has proven invaluable in her current role at Elastic, where she collaborates closely with AWS. “It was a really easy transition to go over to Elastic because I took all of that kind of intel from working at AWS,” she said. Her deep understanding of AWS’s inner workings enables her to effectively align Elastic’s offerings with AWS’s ecosystem, driving mutual success.

Conclusion

Jennifer Jarrad’s journey from traditional media to digital mastery is a testament to her adaptability and strategic acumen. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a unique skill set, allowing her to navigate the complexities of tech marketing with ease.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new. And have confidence in your ability. People put you in a role for a reason because they can see something. So don’t hold back and push boundaries.”-Jennifer Jarrad

In a rapidly evolving industry, Jennifer’s story serves as an inspiration for marketers looking to make their mark. Whether it’s understanding the nuances of partner marketing or leveraging the latest in generative AI, her insights provide a valuable roadmap for success. Tune in to this insightful episode of “On The Road” to learn more about Jennifer’s journey and the future of tech marketing.

Jennifer Jarrad is the Partner Marketing Director at Elastic

About Elastic :

Elastic (NYSE: ESTC), the leading search analytics company, securely harnesses search powered AI to enable everyone to find the answers they need in real-time using all their data, at scale. Elastic’s solutions for security, observability and search are built on the Elasticsearch platform, the development platform used by thousands of companies, including more than 50% of the Fortune 500. Learn more at elastic.co