Analyst Relations
Strategic communications with industry analysts who influence enterprise buying decisions.
Definition
Analyst relations (AR) focuses on building relationships with research analysts at firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC who publish reports and provide advice that influences enterprise technology purchasing.
Unlike media relations, AR targets analysts who develop deep expertise in specific market categories.
Why It Matters
Analyst reports and rankings directly impact enterprise sales cycles. A favorable Gartner Magic Quadrant position or Forrester Wave placement can accelerate deals worth millions.
Analysts also brief journalists and advise investors, making them force multipliers for your message.
Examples in Practice
A SaaS company prepares a detailed briefing deck and product demo for their Gartner analyst meeting.
An AR manager tracks analyst report cycles to ensure briefings happen before competitive evaluations.
A tech startup requests an analyst inquiry to understand how to better position against established competitors.