Nokia forms new marketing division

Nokia Corp. (NOK) continued its operational makeover creating a new position of executive VP and chief marketing officer that will be headed by Jerri DeVard.
In her new position, which will begin on Jan. 1, DeVard will oversee the newly formed marketing and communications organization at Nokia that will cover the company’s marketing, brand management, communications and “selected industry collaboration activities.” DeVard will also join Nokia’s executive board and report to Niklas Savander, EVP and head of Nokia’s Markets unit.
DeVard previously worked at marketing positions at Verizon Communications Inc. and was part of the fund-raising efforts for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
“I am delighted to welcome Jerri to the Nokia team,” said Nokia CEO Stephen Elop “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.”
Elop recently replaced long-time Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo coming to the device giant from Microsoft Corp.
Nokia, which still ranks No. 1 in global handset sales with around 40% market share, reported in September that it was looking to boost its business in the United States where it struggles with low single-digit market share.
Nokia recently announced it would cut up to 1,800 jobs in what it termed an attempt to simplify operations.