Earlier this year, IBM announced a planned spin-off that will be complete by the end of this year of its Global Technology Services. The spin-off will be called Kyndryl and will specialize in managed infrastructure services.

Acting as its own company, the spin-off allows IBM to focus on different priorities while Kyndryl assists its customers with modernization efforts and management. Serving 75 out of the Forbes 100, Kyndryl will carry the important task of acting as the heart of business enterprises everywhere, according to Maria Winans (pictured), chief marketing officer of Kyndryl.

“We are at the heart of progress, the people and the work that we do,” Winans said. “Our purpose as a brand is that together, each of us advances the vital systems that power human progress. Together, each of us advance the vital systems that power human progress. That is our purpose as a company.”

Winans spoke with John Furrier, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, during the recent IBM Think event. They discussed the origin of Kyndryl’s name, its purpose as a brand, being the heart of progress and more. (* Disclosure below.)

What’s in a name?

The name “Kyndryl” is derived from an amalgamation of two words: kinship and tendril.

“It’s about partnerships; it’s about the relationships. It’s about the enduring and nurture relationships that we have work with our customers, as well as our employees, and the way that we work,” said Winans, explaining the significance of  the word “kin.” “Tendril is about growth, new growth, continuous growth. It’s the growth that we want to set this company for, but more importantly, the growth in conjunction with our customers.”

Kyndryl’s brand strategy revolves around the company being at the heart of progress. The company has front-line access to developing innovations across all industries, requiring connection and trust between the company and its users.

“We want to look at how do we instill this healthy digital economy to ensure that we accelerate humanity’s progress, the openness that we want to encourage in the diverse perspectives across our company to promote stronger partnerships with our customers and with our strategic partners,” Winans concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of IBM Think. (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for IBM Think. Neither IBM, the sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE