Bitdefender

At Bitdefender, I lead the go-to-market strategy for the Consumer segment, steering Product Marketing, Pricing Strategy, and Market Analysis. My focus is on orchestrating marketing strategies that drive consumer engagement and brand growth in the cybersecurity market.

Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Market Approach: Developing targeted go-to-market plans to enhance our market position and customer engagement.
• Product Marketing & Pricing: Directing product messaging to emphasize unique value propositions and formulating pricing strategies in line with market dynamics.
• Content Strategy: Crafting a cohesive content strategy that aligns with our marketing goals, ensuring consistent and engaging communication across all channels.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing market analysis and data insights for optimized marketing strategies and spending.

My aim is to blend strategic vision with actionable insights, driving growth and strengthening Bitdefender's position as a leader in the cybersecurity space.

Senior Director Consumer Segment Marketing

Bogdan Carlescu

I help solopreneurs and companies to safely expand their digital businesses: insightful content and expert advice focused on growth strategies and cybersecurity.

Founder

Creatopy

As VP of Marketing at Creatopy, I led strategic planning and implementation of all marketing initiatives, directing a skilled team toward our company's goals. 

My key roles include:
• Strategy & Planning: Crafting strategic marketing plans that drive customer acquisition, brand development, and revenue growth.
• Digital & Product Marketing: Overseeing our digital marketing operations and coordinating with the product team to effectively communicate our product's USPs.
• Data Analysis: Using data-driven insights for decision-making and optimization of marketing spend.
• Market Research: Staying informed about industry trends and customer behavior to shape our marketing strategy.

Under my leadership, we've seen significant growth in brand awareness, customer acquisition, and revenue.

VP of Marketing

I led the global go-to-market strategy for Bitdefender GravityZone Security Platform and the product marketing team responsible for the main B2B cybersecurity solutions: Endpoint Security, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR). I was also part of the core team that is driving the long-term strategy for the business products portfolio.

My responsibilities included:
• Developing product messaging and positioning, based on market, customer, and competitive insights
• Influencing the portfolio evolution, product vision, and roadmap
• Defining Go-to-market and leading the cross-functional teams during product launches and lead generation campaigns
• Running thought leadership campaigns on key industry topics (e.g. Cyber-resilience, Zero-trust, Compliance) and working with industry analysts to increase brand/product awareness
• Creating fresh customer-facing content and sales enablement tools (for internal teams and partners)
• Leading, mentoring and supporting other PMMs

Director of Product Marketing

I defined and successfully led the execution of the global go-to-market plans for several Endpoint, Datacenter, and Network Security products while playing a key role in the overall Enterprise Security portfolio strategy. 

My achievements include:
• Defined the product positioning, created the go-to-market plan, and led the product launches (e.g. Endpoint Detection and Response, Network Traffic Analytics, Cloud Security)
• Acted as deputy Director of Product Marketing
• Increased market share in existing market segments and paved the way in new markets
• Created highly appreciated marketing materials (e.g. public webinars with 500+ participants)
• Represented Bitdefender as a speaker at multiple conferences and global events
• Delivered Sales Enablement sessions across the EU and the US

Sr. Product Marketing Manager for Enterprise Security Solutions

Vodafone

I managed the Sales Engineers group during a time of great transformation for Vodafone: from pure Telecommunications to Integrated IT and Telco provider. I enabled the team to make the leap from selling data connectivity solutions to IT solutions consultancy for large Business customers. I'm proud of the strong and motivated team that I left at Vodafone!
Key contribution:
• Redefined the sales engineer role and implemented process improvements
• Coached team members and brought valuable new people onboard
• Defined and implemented training plans
• Developed strategic partnerships
• Helped to close a handful of high-value contracts

Manager of Sales Engineers (Presales) Group

As Product Manager, I played a key role in defining the strategy and leading the execution for the IT Solutions and Managed Services line of business. While setting the stage for the brand new portfolio of Managed Services, I:
• Developed the first three managed services offerings: Cloud-based IP Telephony, Managed Conferencing and Managed WiFi
• Championed the products internally and externally
• Managed the products throughout their life-cycle
• Trained Sales, Sales Engineers, and Support teams
• Was awarded for the best Cisco-based Managed Service of the Year in Romania

Product Manager for IT Solutions and Managed Services

Telekom Romania (Romtelecom)

I identified and developed major new sales opportunities at enterprise customers in Romania from initial discussions to “contract signed”:
• Developed relationships with key customers and business partners
• Created winning technical proposals and contributed to several high-value deals
• Created a business video collaboration network covering four major cities

Information Technology Business Development Manager

Siemens

I delivered major IT projects for Telecom services providers around the world, with responsibilities including:
• Presales project evaluation and tender support
• Project requirements discovery and clarification
• Project planning and project technical coordination
• Design, implementation, and audit of IP networks

IT Systems Integration and Security Professional

I stand at the crossroads of cybersecurity, innovation, and global marketing strategies. 

As a product and marketing leader, I drive the global growth of tech ventures. Passionate about cybersecurity and marketing, I empower businesses and solopreneurs to securely expand their digital business.

Key Accomplishments:

• Pioneered Bitdefender's security products' go-to-market strategies, significantly boosting their global presence.
• Led the charge in expanding Creatopy's market presence with innovative, adaptable marketing solutions.
• Directed Vodafone Romania's Managed Services Portfolio, delivering robust and efficient IT solutions across various sectors.
• Tackled diverse IT and security challenges in over a dozen countries, always with a focus on customized, client-centric solutions.
• Actively contributed to the tech community through 100+ speaking engagements, training sessions, and webinars.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I am an IRONMAN finisher and a dedicated father, qualities that mirror the endurance and adaptability I bring to every professional challenge. Constantly learning from the joys and challenges of raising an inquisitive, energetic son, I apply these life lessons to my professional ethos.

Keen to connect and explore how AI, cybersecurity, and innovative marketing strategies can propel your business forward? Are you looking to enhance your digital presence securely? Let's explore these possibilities together.

The keyboard of a Dell running Windows while doing easy office tasks :D

Microsoft can you pause your mighty work on AI and do something with Windows? :D Something that doesn't hurt my hands please.

#windows11 #hot

Bitdefender unveiled an enhanced version of Digital Identity Protection this week. New capabilities include protection for Gmail and Outlook! 🌠 

#identityprotection #identitysecurity #antimalware #cybersecurity

https://lnkd.in/dpQMk52Z 

techradar.com • 2 min read

Bitdefender now has identity protection for Gmail and Outlook

We complain a lot about leadership.

But... are we able to recognize good leaders?

Leaders can significantly influence the trajectory of our countries, careers, and businesses. Are we making the right decisions regarding who we follow? 

What are the signs of effective leadership, and how can we spot a truly great leader?

🔹 Vision and Inspiration: Great leaders possess a clear vision and the ability to inspire. They communicate the vision of a better future AND inspire people to start moving in the right direction.

🔹 Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: They show genuine concern for team members' personal and professional growth. This emotional intelligence fosters a supportive work environment that values collaboration and trust.

🔹 Decisiveness and Accountability: Effective leaders make informed decisions swiftly and stand by them. They take responsibility for their actions and the outcomes, whether successful or otherwise.

🔹 Integrity and Transparency: They operate with honesty and transparency, making them reliable and trustworthy. This integrity builds a culture of trust that is essential for long-term success.

🔹 Adaptability and humbleness: In a fast-paced world, great leaders are adaptable and open to new ideas. They are not afraid to learn from others and embrace new ideas to keep the organization ahead.


🎯 Spotting a Leader

Look for consistent behavior that aligns with these traits in various situations. Leaders who practice what they preach, regardless of circumstances, are often those who can drive real change.

Think and evaluate critically before you follow!

#Leadership #Business #Life

This is a very interesting debate to have:

How candid a successful content creator/influencer should be? 

Context: Marques Brownlee, the hugely popular YouTuber MKBHD, made a (very) bad review for the Human AI Pin. Some say he will be responsible if the company eventually fails.

Interestingly I didn't notice anybody complaining about the honesty of the review. It seems to be accepted as reasonably accurate.

So what's the problem? MKBHD was too candid while having too many followers.

What's your view? Should an influencer be "kind" because of his influence? 

More details here: https://lnkd.in/dpMSN8ra

#influencer #responsibility

techcrunch.com • 5 min read

Don’t blame MKBHD for the fate of Humane AI and Fisker | TechCrunch

Though not intended for the average AI user this is a good read for understanding how to manage the risks behind an AI deployment.

"The guidance has application for anyone bringing AI capabilities into a managed environment, especially those in high-threat, high-value environments."

https://lnkd.in/grfS2K4Q

#ai #ml #cybersecurity

nsa.gov • 2 min read

NSA Publishes Guidance for Strengthening AI System Security

You need a great strategy to win! They say.

Reality: You need a great strategy implementation to win.

Over the years I’ve had my fair share of strategy drafting sessions.

I would like to be able to say that most of them transitioned from paper to execution as smoothly as I planned. 

In real life, strategy implementation proves to be a tough nut for most organizations. 

In today's newsletter, I’m reviewing the most common hurdles we face when shifting from strategy to execution, especially for the go-to-market (GTM) plans.

If you like these insights make sure to make sure to subscribe!

#strategy #execution #gtm 

We all love presents and a little bit of mystery 😍 

But not exactly of this kind 👇 

Mystery box scams often promise high-value items for a low cost and use platforms like social media to lure in victims with the allure of big brands like Apple or Samsung. 

These scams can lead not only to financial loss but also to identity theft, as they often collect personal and financial information. 

To protect yourself, ignore ads promoting free mystery boxes, verify seller credentials on known platforms, and ALWAYS use secure payment methods. 

For more details, check out the full article on Bitdefender's blog (link in comments).

#scams #misterybox #cybersecurity

Hackers bet on your overconfidence!

80% of people conduct sensitive transactions on their phones, while only half use security solutions.

Convenience often trumps caution and this oversight could cost you more than just money—it could compromise your identity, privacy, and security. 

The assumption that 'it won't happen to me' is the gamble that hackers are betting on. 

As we integrate our lives with technology, from banking to social interactions, the importance of digital hygiene cannot be overstated.

You can check the latest #Bitdefender Consumer Survey to get the pulse of your security posture (link in comments).

 #DigitalHygiene #CybersecurityAwareness


IF quantum computers + cybersecurity 🟰 ❓

THEN quantum computers + AI 🟰 ⁉️

More here: https://lnkd.in/dwmRVNuq

#ai #quantumcomputers #cybersecurity

weforum.org • 3 min read

Quantum computing could threaten cybersecurity measures. Here’s why – and how tech firms are responding

The more similar the two sides, the better.

Cyber and Business leaders have different perspectives on cybersecurity and cyber resilience.

But the more aligned, the better.

#cybersecurity #cyberresilience #leadership

Follow the money, they say :)

It's interesting to note the association of AI and Cybersecurity also from an investment perspective.

This is not a surprise given the strong correlation between the two. AI influences how the cyber industry evolves (both from the perspective of a threat and solutions) and at the same time, AI success depends on secure deployments.

https://lnkd.in/gERJnHCK

#cybersecurity #ai #investments

techcrunch.com • 3 min read

Evolution Equity Partners raises $1.1B for new cybersecurity and AI fund | TechCrunch

If you don't like Coke, you can blame it on AI (or Microsoft) from now on: https://lnkd.in/d8gZekK3

#ai #marketing 

technologymagazine.com • 2 min read

Coca-Cola & Microsoft Partner to Accelerate Cloud and Gen AI

How can you know what you don't know?

Blindspots can be very costly, including for your privacy.

Google just launched a new AI protection layer for Gmail.

“Protecting obvious confidential information is straightforward,” Google said, “but safeguarding unexpectedly sensitive data is very hard.”

This is particularly important as we may lose sight of what we need to protect.

We focus on the obvious threats with immediate negative consequences but we tend to leave online privacy on the sideline.

Check my latest blog on why online privacy is more important than ever.

#privacy #onlinesafety #cybersecurity

Many entities have a keen interest in your personal information.

And we mostly value our privacy after it's compromised.

Not just hackers, but legit companies and data brokers want access to your sensitive data. 

Consider this: a simple act like "Accept all cookies" or oversharing on social media can lead to your privacy being affected.

Here's how you can take proactive steps to protect your privacy: 

 👉 Recognize the various ways your data can be compromised. 

 👉 Understand the importance of maintaining control over your digital footprint.

 👉 Get used to practical strategies to safeguard your information.  

Check my recent Online Privacy Guide to get a hands-on perspective on how to protect your sensitive data: https://lnkd.in/dTmGTTcM

#privacy #online #cybersecurity

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