Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Bill Stone as the new senior vice president and president of FLO TVTM. Stone will replace Gina Lombardi who has led FLO TV for the past three years. Stone will join Qualcomm on February 2, 2009.
"I would like to thank Gina for her leadership of FLO TV and look forward to her continued contributions at Qualcomm," said Len Lauer, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Qualcomm. "Gina has been instrumental in enhancing FLO TV's infrastructure and operations, establishing carrier relations, deploying the FLO TV commercial network and launching service with Verizon Wireless and AT&T."
"We are thrilled to have such a seasoned industry executive join the FLO TV team and build upon Gina's success," Lauer continued. "Bill will focus on building the FLO TV brand, expanding content and distribution, and increasing subscribers. His wide-ranging experience and deep understanding of content and the global wireless ecosystem will be a great asset to Qualcomm. In addition to his strong leadership skills, Bill has an impressive track record in brand creation and expansion, growing subscribers, increasing content offerings and distribution, as well as securing and launching retail distribution channels."
"I'm honored and excited for the opportunity to join Qualcomm and help take FLO TV to the next level by building the brand, broadening distribution and working with Qualcomm's partners to offer unique, compelling content," said Bill Stone.
Stone has an extensive background in carrier relations, wireless, content, marketing and distribution, having worked at several companies, including GTE Wireless, AirTouch Cellular, Vodafone, Verizon and Amp'd Mobile. Most recently, Stone held the position of chief executive officer for Handango, a leading provider of mobile content, where he drove increased channel revenues, expanded distribution to new channels such as Best Buy, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and The Carphone Warehouse, and managed more than 23,000 content relationships. Prior to his role at Handango, Stone was president of Amp'd Mobile, where he was responsible for the company's strategy, planning and operations, technology, marketing, sales, content and business development. As a vice president at Verizon Wireless, he was responsible for strategy, planning, mobile content, music, e-commerce, and a variety of marketing functions including CRM, segmentation, pricing and promotion. In his role as chief marketing officer for Vodafone in Australia and Japan, Stone led all branding, promotion, pricing and product marketing activities.
Stone holds a bachelor's degree in economics and political science and a master's of business administration in international management and finance from Rice University.
Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index and is a 2008 FORTUNE 500 company. For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements about the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements regarding management and organizational structure, any statements of expectation or belief, and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include disruptions in relationships with wireless carriers, content providers, device manufacturers and partners resulting from management transition, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2008.