NEW YORK -- Verizon, which is adding interactive features to its fiber-optic FiOS TV service, has hired technology and cable-industry executive Rachelle Zoffer to manage interactive programming. As director of interactive TV, Zoffer will be responsible for obtaining interactive programming that will one day enable FiOS TV subscribers to access information and interact with programs such as reality shows, sporting events, newscasts, quiz shows and shopping channels. For example, customers could use their remote controls to vote for their favorite contestants, dig deeper into news stories, access sports statistics, answer quiz-show questions or order items for sale.

<> In June, Verizon launched its first interactive TV application, FiOS TV Widgets, which provides real-time weather and traffic information with one touch of the remote control. New interactive features now in development will complement the hundreds of digital TV channels and on-demand services that FiOS TV offers subscribers in parts of seven states. Verizon provides FiOS TV, as well as voice and high-speed data services, over its all-fiber network, which connects directly to millions of homes and businesses.

Zoffer comes to Verizon with more than 15 years of marketing, advertising and sales experience in the technology, cable and entertainment industries. She has held management positions at Softel-USA, ShadowTV and Disney, where she managed early interactive-TV advertising experiments.She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)