Adobe: The CX Chief Takes the Corner Office
SoWhatNowWhat— Signal+
• Impact Threat Level: Low — It is really just a clear sign that Adobe is doubling down on its customer experience strategy, rather than any big shift in products, pricing, or dealmaking. Because it sits right next to the core markets for unified communications, contact centres, and CPaaS, no buyer will need to switch providers over it. Decision: Monitor only • THE "WHAT": Anil Chakravarthy will take over from Shantanu Narayen as Adobe's new chief executive on 1 December 2026. Chakravarthy comes from the customer experience side of the business, and Narayen will stay on as executive chair to help with the handoff. • THE "SO WHAT?": Adobe has put the head of its experience team in charge, and they rebranded the group to "Customer Experience Orchestration". Most leadership changes are meant to protect the main business, but this move shows where the company is actually heading. • THE "NOW WHAT?": You should start tracking experience orchestration right now, rather than waiting for Adobe to bring it up on their next call. Make sure you have a quick, clear response ready for when clients ask how your platform compares to an orchestration focus from Adobe, or Salesforce.
Summary
Anil Chakravarthy takes over as Adobe's chief executive on 1 December 2026. He has been with the business since January 2020, managing global sales, and leading the Digital Experience unit that Adobe recently renamed Customer Experience Orchestration. Shantanu Narayen, who has run the business since 2007, moves into the Executive Chair role.
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