Nokia appoints new marketing chief

Nokia reorganises brand and marketing functions under new role, taken by experienced marketeer and former Barrack Obama fundraiser Jerri DeVard

Nokia has appointed DeVard Marketing Group principal Jerri DeVard (pictured) as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, a new role that comes into effect on January 1 2011.

DeVard is a member of US president Barrack Obama’s fundraising team also.

She will join Nokia’s group executive board, reporting to executive vice president and head of Nokia’s markets unit Niklas Savander.

A new marketing and communications organisation under DeVard will bring together all Nokia’s marketing, brand management, communications and industry collaboration activities.

Nokia chef executive Stephen Elop said: “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.”

DeVard has previously worked for a number of leading consumer brands including Verizon, Citigroup, Revlon, Harrah’s Entertainment and the Pillsbury Company.