High-profile ex-Intel exec joins Qualcomm as new marketing chief

NEW YORK – This may be a classic case of, If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

After more than a year of silence, Anand Chandrasekher, a high-profile, former Intel executive once responsible for the microprocessor giant’s mobile group, has resurfaced, as chief marketing officer at Qualcomm.

San Diego-based Qualcomm announced Monday (Aug. 6) that Chandrasekher will oversee global marketing and external communications, reporting to Steve Mollenkopf, president and chief operating officer of Qualcomm.

Most recently, Chadrasekher was senior vice president and general manager for Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group. He resigned that post in March, 2011 amid Intel’s unsuccessful efforts to break into the mobile phone market.
 
Chadrasekher’s group at Intel was responsible for low power Intel architecture products, ultra-mobile PCs, mobile Internet devices, smart mobile and hand-held market segments. Chandrasekher's team was responsible for developing the technologies behind the Atom processor and Centrino Atom processor product families.

Qualcomm described Chandrasekher as “a seasoned global operating and management executive with a proven track record in strategic planning, product development and marketing.”

Beyond his lead role for Intel Atom processor family, Chadrasekher held a variety of leadership roles during his 25-year tenure at Intel, including heading its Worldwide Sales and Marketing Group, corporate vice president of the Mobile Platforms Group and co-general manager for the Intel486 Processor Division. He is best known for his pioneering efforts on the Intel Centrino platforms.

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