Espoo, Finland – Nokia has appointed Ms Jerri DeVard as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), a new role that comes into effect as of January 1, 2011. DeVard will join Nokia’s Group Executive Board, reporting to Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President and head of Nokia’s Markets unit.
The newly formed Marketing and Communications organization under the CMO will bring together all of Nokia’s Marketing, Brand Management, Communications and selected Industry collaboration activities.
Says Nokia CEO Stephen Elop: „I am delighted to welcome Jerri to the Nokia team. Her experience and proven track record from a wide range of consumer businesses will be a great boost to increasing consumer focus and will bring fresh thinking as we strive for a clearer value proposition for our consumers and continue to build the Nokia brand.“
Says head of Nokia’s Markets unit, Niklas Savander: „With Jerri at the helm, we expect the integrated marketing and communications activities to increase the impact of our communications and engagement with consumers and other stakeholders across the industry and across the globe.“
DeVard brings with her more than 25 years of marketing experience across leading consumer brands, including Verizon, Citigroup, Revlon, Harrah’s Entertainment and the Pillsbury Company. Her expertise encompasses brand management and multi-cultural marketing, with a strong foundation on direct marketing and e-commerce. She has provided counsel not only to blue-chip companies, but also applied her experience in fund-raising efforts as part of the Barack Obama presidential campaign. More recently, DeVard has founded her own marketing group that provides advice and counsel to major consumer product companies.
