International Market Centers (IMC), a Blackstone portfolio company, has announced that William B. (Bill) Furlong will join the company effective June 1 in a newly created position as chief executive officer of Juniper, IMC’s new fully integrated omnichannel B2B e-commerce platform.
Furlong brings 25 years of digital innovation and leadership experience, including 11 years with Expedia Group. This strategic hire further underscores the companies’ investment in and commitment to the development of an industry-first, best-in-class B2B suite of software and marketplace solutions. Together IMC and Blackstone have invested over $100MM in product development and built a team of over 160 people in less than 18 months.
“We are thrilled to add such a seasoned digital executive with demonstrated talent and relatable expertise to the Juniper team,†said Bob Maricich, IMC chairman and CEO. “In January 2020, with the acquisition of two industry-leading SaaS solutions, we announced our intent to build best-in-class digital tools and e-commerce opportunities for the industry. We pledged to invest $100MM in a platform that would transform the industry through delivery of a unique B2B omnichannel ecosystem. Since then, we have recruited over 100 new hires including developers, product designers, sales reps, and customer success teams, and we have launched several components of the Juniper software suite. Now, in our second year of development and approaching a major platform launch, the time is right to add an elevated leadership position with unique perspective and a bias for innovation and growth. Bill will be a tremendous asset to Juniper and to IMC.â€
“IMC’s omnichannel vision is bold and compelling, and I am intrigued and energized by the opportunity that Juniper presents,†said Furlong. “My entrepreneurial experience at Escapia taught me that listening to the customer and developing thoughtful and iterative business solutions is at the heart of digital innovation. The Juniper team is executing a unique and well-designed omnichannel solution that will help buyers and sellers alike build even stronger businesses during a period of dramatic change. I look forward to being part of that evolution.â€
Furlong will report to Bob Maricich, chairman and CEO of IMC, and will work closely with Juniper’s founding executive team, including president Eric Dean, chief technology officer Max Fraser, and senior vice presidents Alex Fraser and Brandon Ward, to accelerate Juniper’s mission to deliver a digital marketplace and transformative technology built by and for the wholesale furniture, gift and home décor industries.
