NEW YORK — IBM chief external relations officer Jeffrey DeMarrais has departed the company after less than a year in the role, the Holmes Report has learned.

DeMarrais joined IBM in February of last year, following a nine-month stint as chief communications officer at CA Technologies. Prior to that, DeMarrais spent more than 17 years at GE, including five years as chief communications officer at GE Healthcare.

DeMarrais' arrival at IBM was shortly followed by the hire of chief communications officer Andy Whitehouse; IBM's communications function is ultimately overseen by marketing and communications SVP Jon Iwata.

DeMarrais declined to comment when contacted by the Holmes Report. IBM also declined repeated request for comment.