Richard French

Current

Head of New Businesses at Nokia

Past

CEO at Avvenu, Inc.
General Manager & SVP at Sourceforge, Inc.
SVP & General Manager, Emerging Division at NetManage, Inc.

President & CEO at Infoscape, Inc.
Vice President Enterprise Platforms Division at Oracle
Vice President Software Business & Various Product Line Positions at Bull
Various Alliances, Product Management, Marketing & Development Roles at Cincom Systems

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Education

University of Waterloo

Recommended

22 people have recommended Richard

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Computer Software

Websites

Richard French’s Summary

Since 1998, have built successful internet companies and brands in remote access, on-line media, communities, entertainment, advertising and the convergence of mobile and internet.

Currently, Head of New Businesses for Nokia's Services and Software. Previously, was CEO at Avvenu, Inc. (acquired by Nokia) a venture backed company that provided services for consumers and business users to securely access their files, photos and music collections on their home and office computers directly from their web-enabled mobile device or remote computer.

Formerly led full turn around of Internet media and e-commerce network OSDN. Pioneered community-driven business models for technology news, discussion, downloads and collaboration. Propelling OSDN to a top ten Internet media network within 2 years, garnering over 15M uniques per month and 1.5M registered members.

Held various executive & management positions with Oracle, Groupe Bull, Cincom Systems and NetManage.

Richard French’s Specialties:

Provide leadership in critical times and inspire team members to transcend their personal challenges and achieve unprecedented results. Hands-on, values-driven.

Specializing in company transition leadership, including full turn around, strategic growth, business model and cultural shifts. Specializing in Online media/communities/e-commerce, open source and enterprise software.

Expertise in general management, partnering, alliances, product development/engineering, marketing and sales.

Richard French’s Experience

Head of New Businesses

Nokia

(Public Company; NOK; Telecommunications industry)

December 2007 — Present (1 year 8 months)

Responsible for identifying and driving new business opportunities leveraging Nokia’s existing software and services assets, defining new business models for future revenue growth. Currently, leads Nokia’s Connected Digital Home, personal connectivity initiatives and Nokia Sports Tracker service lines. Building connected home marketplace ecosystem with key CE brands including Sony, EMC/Iomega, Cisco/Linksys, Philips, and pioneering Nokia entry into global sports and fitness market, including creating social online and mobile community of likeminded sports enthusiasts.
CEO

Avvenu, Inc.

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)

April 2006 — December 2007 (1 year 9 months)

Avvenu, Inc. was acquired by Nokia on December 4th 2007.

Lead the team at Avvenu, Inc. a venture backed company that provides a service which lets consumers and business users securely access their stuff on their home and office computers directly from their web-enabled mobile device or computer. Improving operating efficiency and financial viability, including securing $5M+ in investments and growth loans, adding revenue streams, and reducing overhead by 40%.

Directing the transformation of customer experience with new and redesigned remote and hosted software, services and support. Extended strategy beyond remote access and sharing of files and photos to all media, while establishing trusted relationships with leaders in music recording industry.
General Manager & SVP

Sourceforge, Inc.

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; LNUX; Online Media industry)

January 2001 — May 2004 (3 years 5 months)

(Formerly VA Software, OSTG, OSDN) Consolidated 11 sites to form Top 10 Internet media network for technology news, community collaboration and e-shopping. Media sites include such notables as: Slashdot, SourceForge, Newsforge, Linux.com, and freshmeat. E-Commerce sites include: ThinkGeek & Animation Factory and the mediabuilder network.

Drove $2 million revenue with $3 million loss per quarter to $7.6 million revenue with $1 million profit per quarter. Took business from $12M revenue to $24M revenue in 3 years and $11M loss to $2.5M profit.

Tripled page views and unique visitors, reaching 220 million page views and 15 million visitors per month.

Implemented sales/marketing infrastructure including SFA, metrics-driven sales tools, branding and promotions program. Emphasized use of e-commerce analytics, to help drive online sales, established partnerships with leading e-retailers.
SVP & General Manager, Emerging Division

NetManage, Inc.

(Public Company; 201-500 employees; NETM; Computer Software industry)

December 1998 — December 1999 (1 year 1 month)

Led 50 professionals in US and Israel for young Internet software group; drove 400% revenue growth.
Captured 60% of remote learning market software suppliers. Penetrated key accounts and high-tech markets.
President & CEO

Infoscape, Inc.

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)

February 1998 — June 1998 (5 months)

Led VC-funded software startup focused on Java desktop application development. Executed funding, management staffing & strategy transition. Initiated 3rd round of funding.
Vice President Enterprise Platforms Division

Oracle

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; ORCL; Computer Software industry)

February 1994 — February 1998 (4 years 1 month)

Led 200-employee division to $1.8 billion, improving margins from 15% to 20%.
Managed engineering, porting, marketing and sales relationships with top hardware vendors (Sun, HP, IBM, DEC, Compaq)
Vice President Software Business & Various Product Line Positions

Bull

(Privately Held; 10,001 or more employees; Computer Hardware industry)

July 1989 — December 1993 (4 years 6 months)
Various Alliances, Product Management, Marketing & Development Roles

Cincom Systems

(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Computer Software industry)

May 1975 — July 1989 (14 years 3 months)

Additional Information

Richard French’s Websites:

Richard French’s Groups:

University of Waterloo Alumni, Oracle Alumni

Executive Suite
Waterloo Alumni
Mobilists (Innovators in mobile industry - 3900+ members)
IPTV Internet Video Broadcast
Bull Alumni
ORACLE CONNECTIONS
Nokia
IPTV Forum
Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)
Cincom Systems current and ex-employess
Broadband World Forum Europe 2008 Attendees
CONNECTIONS™
Square One IT & ERP Consultants Group (SAP, Oracle / Peoplesoft, Testing, Databases & Development)
MEF-Mobile Entertainment Forum Americas
GSMA Mobile World Congress (The Official Networking Group)
Fusion CIO