Verizon Hires Citigroup Exec

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. Verizon Communications Inc.