John Kennedy is Vice President of Corporate Marketing for IBM.  In his present position, John is responsible for IBM’s brand development and marketing program execution on a global basis.  This includes responsibility to help establish IBM’s recently launched Smarter Planet agenda in key markets globally. John was named to this position in March, 2009.

Previously, John was the Vice President for Marketing for IBM Americas. In this role John lead marketing and strategy for IBM’s largest sales territory.

John was also Vice President of Marketing and Channels in IBM Japan, where he had responsibility for the business partner, ibm.com, Marketing and Strategy organisations. In this role, John focused on driving positive changes to improve business/operational performance, upgrading skills, and gaining efficiencies through better global alignment. During this assignment to AP, John was also the Vice President, Marketing for Asia-Pacific and the Vice President, Marketing for PCD, Asia-Pacific.   

Prior to these roles, John worked in the Americas geography as the Director of IMC, PCD Americas.

John also worked in Asia during 1998-2000, where he managed the Consumer Desktop PC business. John joined IBM in 1996 in Raleigh, NC.

Prior to joining IBM, John was with Procter & Gamble, where he worked in brand management within the laundry and cleaning products division. Prior to P&G, John worked as credit officer and financial analyst with Nationsbank (now Bank of America), focusing on financial institution and securities-related credit risk.

John serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).  

John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Bachelors degrees in Economics and Political Science. John received his MBA from Harvard University.