David Daniels, one of the most influential voices in e-mail marketing, has resigned his position as an analyst with Forrester Research, Magilla Marketing has learned.
Word on the street is he hasn’t left the company yet, will probably work through at least the end of the year and then plans to start his own research and consulting business after he leaves the company.
Forrester declined comment.
Daniels became a Forrester employee in 2008 when the company acquired JupiterResearch for $23 million. Daniels started at JupiterResearch in 2000.
He has since become one of the most influential experts in e-mail marketing, if not the most influential.
His reports on e-mail service providers, one of which is due to be published today, can significantly affect ESPs’ business.
“It’s very important to our business,” said one ESP executive who asked not to be quoted by name. “Prospects use the report to decide who to invite to an RFP [request for proposal]. If you’re not on the report, you may not be invited to the table.”
Forrester reportedly told its ESP clients last week that Daniels is leaving. According to sources, Shar VanBoskirk, a principal analyst and vice president who specializes in online marketing, will take over e-mail analyst duties at Forrester. VanBoskirk has been with Forrester since 1997 and is also an e-mail marketing expert.
Daniels is co-author of the book Email Marketing, An Hour A Day with Jeanniey Mullen, which was published in November 2008.
