Verizon Names Citigroup Executive to Head Brand and Marketing Communications Group

Jerri DeVard

NEW YORK -- Citigroup marketing executive Jerri DeVard will join Verizon to lead the company's branding and marketing communications. DeVard becomes senior vice president for brand management and marketing communications Jan. 6 and will report to Bruce Gordon, president of Verizon's Retail Markets Group.

In her new role, DeVard will be responsible for leading corporate-wide initiatives to build and strengthen the Verizon brand worldwide. She will also manage advertising, media planning and buying, and direct mail-direct response for the company's telecommunications organization. DeVard will be based in New York City.

"Jerri brings to Verizon an accomplished background in branding, marketing and advertising in industries ranging from banking to consumer products and entertainment," said Gordon. "Her skills are a great fit for Verizon as we address new competitive challenges and continue on our path toward building the most respected brand in our industry."

During her tenure at Citigroup, DeVard also served as chief marketing officer for the e-Consumer line of business, and other positions of responsibility for customer acquisition and new business development. Before joining Citigroup, she was vice president of marketing for Color Cosmetics at Revlon, vice president of marketing for Harrah's Entertainment in New Orleans, and held several brand management positions at The Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis.

DeVard earned a bachelor of economics at Spelman College and a master of business administration in marketing from Atlanta University Graduate School of Management. She is a board member of the Executive Leadership Council Foundation and a member of the National Black MBA Association and the Spelman College Alumnae Association.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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