Czech-based anti-virus software developer AVG Technologies appointed Ricardo Adame as corporate vice president of global public relations. Adame has 20 years’ experience in corporate communications, public affairs and corporate social responsibility.
“AVG is such an exciting brand, and I’m very glad to be joining the team,” Adame said in a press release. “There is much to talk about and I’m looking forward to this new professional challenge in my career.”
Adame will be responsible for developing and executing AVG’s strategic communications agenda. Based in Prague, he will oversee AVG’s global public relations initiatives.
“As AVG continues to grow, so do we need to expand our team to include people with experience, strength and leadership,” Clent Richardson, chief operations officer (COO) for AVG Technologies, said in the press release. “I am glad to have Ricardo onboard and know that his talent and expertise will be a powerful force in driving impactful results.” ‘There is much to talk about and I’m looking forward to this new professional challenge in my career.’
Prior to joining AVG, Adame spent more than 15 years with software giant Microsoft Corporation in Latin America, corporate headquarters and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. He has a degree in international relations and a master’s degree in political science.
AVG is a global security software maker used by more than 110 million consumers and small businesses in 167 countries. Its free, downloadable software provides basic anti-virus protection; it also sells advanced protection packages. AVG has nearly 6,000 resellers, partners and distributors globally including Amazon.com, CNET, Cisco, Ingram Micro, Play.com, Wal-Mart, and Yahoo, according to information provided by AVG.
AVG Technologies was formed in 1991 In Brno, South Moravia, as Grisoft. In 2001 founder Jan Gritzbach sold Grisoft to Benson Oak Capital Acquisitions; later Intel Capital and Enterprise Investors bought a 65 percent stake. In 2009, TA Associates bought a minority stake.
AVG has also made a number of acquisitions of software firms over the years, including Ewido Networks, Exploit Prevention Labs, Sana Security, Walling Data and DroidSecurity. It also has a partnership with browser maker Opera Software and virtualization firm MokaFive.
