GERALD PARHAM
Murrieta
Summary
Global research and thought leadership executive at IBM’s Institute for Business Value, advising C-suite leaders on cybersecurity, AI-driven transformation, technology strategy, and risk governance. Trusted voice behind globally recognized, top-ranked thought leadership, cited by major media, and developed in partnership with Microsoft, AWS, and Palo Alto Networks. Proven leader in translating primary research into market-shaping narratives, and driving large-scale digital and security transformations with outsized ROI.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Research Leader, Security & CIO
IBM
03.2019 - Current
- Lead global cybersecurity and technology thought leadership, advising C-suite executives, industry leaders, and influencers.
- Design and deliver top-ranked primary research and market analysis, with multiple publications placing in Source Global’s Top 5 annual thought leadership rankings.
- Lead the development of cybersecurity thought leadership for strategic partners, including Microsoft, AWS, and Palo Alto Networks.
- Facilitate C-level interviews with F100 technology and security executives, and synthesize insights into executive-ready narratives.
- Coach IBM executives for media engagement, messaging, and talking points.
- Produce high-impact research assets, generating tens of thousands of downloads, listens, impressions, and global media citations.
Fan experience, venues & events leader
IBM
12.2016 - 03.2019
- Led IBM’s global venues and events portfolio, advising entertainment, theme park, stadium, and live-event organizations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
- Directed cross-functional creative, business, and technology teams, delivering digital customer engagement platforms, smart venue solutions, and centralized identity and access management services.
- Drove large-scale transformation initiatives, building 9-figure business cases with demonstrated ROI of 10–100x.
- Created market-maker, first-mover, and fast-follower advantages by monetizing the full customer lifecycle, and end-to-end technology stack.
Senior Managing Consultant – Strategy & Transformation, Media & Entertainment
IBM
06.2016 - 11.2016
- Led enterprise strategy and transformation engagements for global media, entertainment, and technology clients.
- Advised executives on digital operating models, platform modernization, and data-driven growth strategies.
- Drove cross-functional teams, delivering transformation roadmaps, governance models, and execution plans.
Founder of a content creation and discovery platform for immersive, user-generated content
yuni vrs
11.2011 - 05.2013
- Founded and scaled a platform focused on immersive, user-generated content discovery, and engagement.
- Defined product vision, go-to-market strategy, and platform architecture.
- Collaborated with creators, technologists, and partners to validate market demand and user experience.
Principal & founder of a digital creative agency
developmentum
06.2007 - 06.2012
- Built and led a digital agency delivering content, experience design, and platform solutions.
- Partnered with enterprise and startup clients to translate business goals into digital products.
- Managed end-to-end client engagements, from strategy and design, through delivery and optimization.
Director for a SaaS, digital media services start-up
meSoft
09.2006 - 05.2007
- Directed product strategy and service delivery for a SaaS-based digital media platform.
- Worked closely with engineering, sales, and clients to align product capabilities with market needs.
- Supported customer adoption, platform scaling, and early-stage business growth initiatives.
Production and editorial management
Fox International
07.2002 - 07.2006
- Led production and editorial initiatives across broadcast platforms in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America.
- Managed cross-regional content operations, aligning creative strategy with global market requirements.
- Coordinated international teams to deliver consistent, high-quality programming at scale.
Studio Development Executive & Digital Producer
03.1997 - 06.2002
- Led story development and content strategy for global media and entertainment initiatives, aligning creative vision with business and audience objectives.
- Managed intellectual property evaluation and licensing to support franchise growth and cross-platform monetization.
- Directed promotional marketing strategies to amplify brand reach, audience engagement, and market impact.
Education
MFA - Media
University of Southern California
MSc - Counseling Psychology
California State University
BA - Writing
Johns Hopkins University
Skills
- Cybersecurity strategy
- Technology leadership
- AI transformation
- Thought leadership
- Primary research
- Risk management
- Technology governance
- Supply chain
- market analysis
- Executive storytelling
- Strategic partnerships
- Media relations
- Executive advisory
- Team leadership
- Innovation strategy
- Identity management
- Customer experience
- Business case
- Program management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Intellectual property
Key Achievements
- Led globally recognized cybersecurity and technology thought leadership, ranked in Source Global’s Top 5
- Shaped C-suite decision-making with primary research cited by major global media outlets
- Built strategic thought leadership partnerships with Microsoft, AWS, and Palo Alto Networks
- Advised and interviewed F100 executives, strengthening executive positioning and narratives
- Delivered enterprise transformation initiatives with nine-figure business cases and ten to one hundred times ROI
Timeline
Global Research Leader, Security & CIO
IBM
03.2019 - Current
Fan experience, venues & events leader
IBM
12.2016 - 03.2019
Senior Managing Consultant – Strategy & Transformation, Media & Entertainment
IBM
06.2016 - 11.2016
Founder of a content creation and discovery platform for immersive, user-generated content
yuni vrs
11.2011 - 05.2013
Principal & founder of a digital creative agency
developmentum
06.2007 - 06.2012
Director for a SaaS, digital media services start-up
meSoft
09.2006 - 05.2007
Production and editorial management
Fox International
07.2002 - 07.2006
Studio Development Executive & Digital Producer
03.1997 - 06.2002
MFA - Media
University of Southern California
MSc - Counseling Psychology
California State University
BA - Writing
Johns Hopkins University