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 Channel Futures

Business Models


Rob Rae will join Datto as VP of business development on Aug 5

Datto Hires Level Platforms’ Rob Rae

  • Written by Joe Panettieri 1
  • July 8, 2013
Datto is hiring Level Platforms veteran Rob Rae as VP of Business Development. The move comes as AVG acquires Level Platforms and Datto seeks to accelerate its cloud BDR (backup and disaster recovery) business.

Datto is hiring Level Platforms Director of Partner Development and Operations Rob Rae, MSPmentor has confirmed. Rae will join Datto, the cloud BDR (backup and disaster recovery) specialist, as VP of business development on Aug. 5.  The move comes as AVG acquires Level Platforms to accelerate its SMB push, and Datto continues to ramp up its cloud BDR initiatives. 

“Datto obviously is a rapidly growing organization with a great channel program,” said Rae. “They reached out and asked if I was interested in joining the channel team. They have a great reputation and a great product set; it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Rae was not looking to exit Level Platforms, which AVG is acquiring. AVG “has a good solid plan for Level Platforms; I was very excited about it. That’s the toughest part of this decision. The path AVG is taking is very focused on [Level Platforms’] partners.”

For AVG this is a key period — where continued communications with the Level Platforms base will be extremely important. I think AVG realizes Rae is well-known across Level Platforms’ partner base. His exit may make some Level Platforms partners nervous. But let’s keep things in perspective:

  • AVG’s executive team, including VP of Sales and Operations Luke Walling, has extensive SMB software, channel and M&A experience. “Rob got a tremendous offer and I can’t blame him for taking it,” said Walling. “But as you know I come from a channel background myself. I bleed channel blood. So we have no intention at all to change that channel commitment with Level Platforms.” (Walling and I spoke separately a couple of weeks ago about the AVG-Level Platforms deal. More details soon…)
  • Going forward, Level Platforms Director of Partner Community Dave Sobel remains a key player to watch, especially as events like ChannelCon approach. 
  • Amid multiple M&A deals (Insight buying Kaseya; SolarWinds buying N-able; and AVG buying Level Platforms), MSPs should expect a steady stream of career changers. When M&A occurs, it’s natural for executives and business leaders to receive calls from head-hunters and recruiters to see which talent can be tempted to new jobs.

In Rae’s case, the opportunity to become VP of business development at a fast-growth coming was an offer he couldn’t turn down. 

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Business Models From the Industry

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11 comments

  1. Avatar Ed Mana July 8, 2013 @ 11:10 pm
    Reply

    I am extremely happy for Rob.
    I am extremely happy for Rob. I think this is a great move for him and a huge loss for LPI/AVG. In this business, it’s all about the relationship and I look forward to learning more about Datto and how I may continue to work with Rob in his new role.

  2. Avatar Dawn Wilson July 8, 2013 @ 11:34 pm
    Reply

    Rob is a great asset to any
    Rob is a great asset to any company. We have been an LPI partner for 3 years and I have to say Rob and his team have been very instrumental in helping us succeed. I am sure he will be missed. As a fairly new Datto partner (6 months), I am excited to see what new things he will be bringing to the table in the future.

  3. Avatar Frank Ballatore July 9, 2013 @ 2:53 pm
    Reply

    Sorry to see Rob go; he was a
    Sorry to see Rob go; he was a key player at LPI, and someone that we could always turn to. It will be interesting to see what his impact at Datto will be. Best of luck to you Rob!

  4. Avatar Joe Panettieri July 9, 2013 @ 3:50 pm
    Reply

    Ed, Dawn, Frank: Thanks for
    Ed, Dawn, Frank: Thanks for stopping by to share your views. Please stay in touch as you continue to build your respective businesses and/or spot key trends in the MSP market.
    -jp

  5. Avatar markben July 9, 2013 @ 6:41 pm
    Reply

    Rob- all ASCII Group members
    Rob- all ASCII Group members around North America give you a great congrats at your new position at Datto.

    Alan Weinberger, CEO

  6. Avatar Matthew Adkins July 9, 2013 @ 10:31 pm
    Reply

    I add my congratulations to
    I add my congratulations to Rob on his new position. I agree with Ed that this will be a huge loss for AVG/LPI. For Datto and their channel partners this is a HUGE win as Rob has connections, experience, and industry savvy to take Datto far.

  7. Avatar Tom Ogilvie July 10, 2013 @ 12:42 am
    Reply

    Rob was major reason I moved
    Rob was major reason I moved to Level. Always responsive and helpful. Best wishes for your new endeavor!

  8. Avatar Craig Pollack July 10, 2013 @ 1:51 am
    Reply

    Congrats to you Rob, although
    Congrats to you Rob, although I’m sad to see you go. You’ve been a great ally at LPI, but as a Datto partner, we won’t totally be losing you.

  9. Avatar Jerry Koutavas July 10, 2013 @ 4:55 pm
    Reply

    Excellent move by Datto, Rob
    Excellent move by Datto, Rob is a key influencer in the channel and understands partners to a ‘ T ‘ – congrats!

  10. Avatar Dan McCoy October 24, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
    Reply

    Datto’s hiring of Rob was
    Datto’s hiring of Rob was cause for me to take a second look… and actually start using them. Rob is one of those guys that has gained my respect over the last several years despite me not using LPI. I had a good talk with him recently and it made me excited to see what the future at Datto holds. Congrats Rob!

  11. Avatar Anonymous September 9, 2014 @ 7:46 pm
    Reply

    Rob is a great guy. We have
    Rob is a great guy. We have been a LPI/AVG and Datto partner for years and very happy overall. Latest Hosted AVG MW issues are giving us some headaches but I am hoping they are just growing pains.

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