Cisco’s chief marketing officer, Karen Walker, has announced that she is stepping down from the company to join Intel in the same role.

Walker, who has been with Cisco for over 10 years, will now be responsible for Intel’s global marketing group, where she will look to build and strengthen the company’s brand. Her other roles include supporting global strategies, cultivating opportunities in new and existing markets, and increasing demand for Intel’s products and solutions globally. 

Intel’s appointment of Walker comes at a pivotal point for the company, which lost its status as the world’s largest chipset manufacturer just two years ago. Over the past year, Intel’s stock price has been on a rollercoaster ride, as the firm’s main competitor, AMD, has caught up in terms of processing power, while Intel has spent its R&D cash on other projects, such as its investment in VR and AI. 

At Cisco, Walker was credited with helping the firm transform into a hybrid business model selling hardware, software, services and software as a service (SaaS) solutions. It’s hoped that her tenure at Intel will help effectively communicate the company’s evolution in the IT space.

“Karen is truly a world-class CMO,” said Bob Swan, Intel’s CEO. “She has deep experience with many of our most valued customers and a keen understanding of what it will take to play an even larger role in their success. We are excited to have Karen on our leadership team.”

“Intel is an iconic company at a pivotal moment as it transforms to power a world of new possibilities and expanded market opportunities. It is one of the most globally recognized brands with a strong story to tell. I look forward to joining a great team and building the future of technology together,” Walker concluded.

Walker will report to Michelle Johnston Holthaus, executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s Sales, Marketing and Communications Group.