Thu, 09 Nov 2006 New Quark CEO talks change and challenge

Adobe has squarely focused its sights on QuarkXPress with InDesign CS2 , which has caused some stalwart Quark-centric businesses to switch in recent years. The significance of this isn't lost on Schiavone, but he sees some inherent advantages in Quark as a company.

"We've got an advantage in being more nimble, especially on the product development side," said Schiavone. "We've got to listen to customers and to partners and figure out where the opportunities are, and we have to provide those things that Adobe and other companies are not doing. I am [intending] to bring the best in breed to our product."

Quark's agility in product development led the company to release a Universal binary version of QuarkXPress 7 earlier this year, while Mac users are still waiting for a version of InDesign that runs natively on Intel-based Macs. More recently, the company introduced Quark Interactive Designer, a tool that enables QuarkXPress 7.0.2 users to create Flash content. Schiavone sees opportunities like these as key to going forward.

"I'm encouraging our developers to think very hard about innovations and figure out ways that we can be first to market," he said. Schiavone said that extends to Quark's bevy of third-party developers and integrators.

Winning hearts and minds

Is Quark better off forgetting about customers who have defected to InDesign and going just after new market opportunities? Schiavone says no.

"Both Adobe and we have mature product lines, and we can fight for market share. And believe me, I'm not letting that fight go," said Schiavone. "On the other hand, I believe that we have a loyal base of customers that we're serving well and helping to grow."

Make no mistake, though, Schiavone is looking to extend Quark's relevance with new products.

"We've been a one-trick pony for a long time, and you can only ride that horse for so long," he said. "I was brought on to extend the business and extend the product line. I'm looking for new technologies both inside and outside of Quark to help do that."

"Obviously what I do is more important than what I say," said Schiavone. To that end, he hopes that Quark's customers and partners will watch with open minds as he works to transform both Quark's culture and its product development focus.