Sitecore MVPs: The hidden advantage in choosing a partner

Just like death and taxes, one of life’s eternal certainties is that Horizontal Digital will lead every year’s class of Sitecore MVPs.  
And somehow, we’ve managed to raise the bar for ourselves again: Sitecore has awarded our teammates an unprecedented 31 times, meaning our consultancy is home to 13% of the world’s MVP community.   We’re justifiably proud of that achievement and grateful to all of our colleagues who put in the work to earn the title. But if you’re a Sitecore customer, why should it matter to you? And how can your own team get in on some of that MVP action?  

What MVP status really means 

 

MVP is and isn’t about expertise. 

Before you can understand why MVP status matters, it helps to understand what it actually represents. Sitecore currently awards this status across three categories: Technology, Strategy and Ambassador.   

For all three categories, the primary measuring stick is community contribution: What has this person done to broaden and improve adoption of Sitecore products?  

So that criteria (at least from my outside-in perspective as a seven-time MVP) is first and foremost about volume:  

• How many blogs did you write about Sitecore best practices?  
  
  
• How many speaking engagements did you use to showcase Sitecore expertise?  
  
  
• How many product tickets and community forums did you contribute to? And so on.  
  
  

An individual’s volume of community contribution is necessary to showcase expertise and engagement with Sitecore’s products. You’re not going to be getting up on stage to speak at a Sitecore event or publishing an insights piece under your company’s brand if you’re not a highly qualified expert in the subject matter.  

So, in short, the people who get Sitecore MVP awards are the people who talk a lot about Sitecore. But they’ve earned the right to do so based on their experience and expertise.  

Why MVP awards mean something to Sitecore customers 

So when you read Horizontal’s press release about our unprecedented, record-breaking 31 MVP awards for 2025, why should you care? It’s great that Horizontal has experts that blog a lot, but how does that impact your investments in Sitecore products, and how does it factor into your decision when choosing a partner to support your Sitecore initiatives?  

You can look at it through two lenses:

1. Not all Sitecore experts are MVPs. There are plenty of brilliant Sitecore professionals who don’t invest time in thought leadership, writing, or speaking engagements. Being an MVP isn’t the only indicator of expertise.  
2. But MVPs have made an intentional investment in improving their Sitecore expertise. Earning MVP status requires a personal commitment to advancing Sitecore knowledge and best practices. And when an organization consistently produces MVPs, it signals a deep, company-wide investment in Sitecore expertise and innovation.   

When embarking on your next (or your first) Sitecore initiative, consider MVP count as a data point reflective of both the company’s commitment and their track record in delivering that kind of excellence. And with 13% of the global MVP community in our ranks, Horizontal Digital is leading the way. 

 

"For nearly two decades, Sitecore has been honored to recognize the work of the experts who have distinguished themselves through continuous innovation and commitment to helping others build exceptional digital experiences. The MVPs are integral to the global Sitecore community and are looked to for their proven ability to build world-class solutions and dedication to sharing their knowledge."

- Roger Connolly | Chief Product Officer at Sitecore

The value our MVPs bring to your team 

We don’t just understand Sitecore—we're setting industry best practices across Sitecore’s technologies. Our MVPs are actively engaged in product feedback, best practice development, and knowledge sharing that influence the entire Sitecore ecosystem. That means when you work with us, you’re getting direct access to the people who help define how it’s used to drive digital experiences forward. What’s more, you’re getting more in-the-know brains working to solve your hardest challenges; meaning problems get solved faster with less mess. 

Dave Michela is a 7-time Sitecore MVP; he didn’t apply this year or we’d be at 32, not 31.