Verizon has named George Fischer president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions (VES). Fischer previously lead the VES Global Sales organization, responsible for driving customer growth and increasing revenue through Verizon’s direct and indirect enterprise distribution channels worldwide.
Fischer will now be responsible for delivering business solutions to Verizon’s global enterprise clients in key industries including healthcare and insurance, financial services, technology, manufacturing and automotive, transportation and distribution, retail, energy and utilities, and the public sector. He will lead a team driving sales, operations, and marketing focused on strategic solutions in networking, IT infrastructure, business communications, security, and professional services.
Prior to joining Verizon, he was executive vice president of worldwide sales and services at CA, Inc. overseeing a $4.4 billion business and a team of 4,700 people in 62 countries.
AT&T is teaming up with Dish Network and WPP to acquire INVIDI Technologies, a provider of addressable advertising platforms.
According to AT&T, INVIDI’s software lets advertisers deliver addressable video advertising to a target audience both on TV and across multiple distribution platforms. Ads are delivered via INVIDI’s technology to target households that can be matched to thousands of demographic or psychographic attributes, or to a custom list provided by an advertiser. This lets advertisers and media buyers accurately control reach, separation, and frequency across video platforms.
AT&T said it will hold a controlling interest in the venture, but each company will name representatives to INVIDI’s board of directors. INVIDI will continue to operate independently under the joint ownership of the three companies. AT&T, DISH and WPP said they plan to maintain INVIDI’s current operations, including maintaining its employees in their current locations in Princeton, N.J., Newtown, Pa., New York, Denver, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Nokia gave a glimpse into plans for its brand’s return to the smartphone market under its licensing agreement with HMD Global. In a Capital Markets Day presentation given last week, the company said the Nokia brand is expected to return to smartphones in 2017.
U.S. Cellular has announced its lineup of Black Friday deals just ahead of the Thanksgiving rush. The carrier said new and current customers will be able to receive $500 cash back in promotional cards with the purchase of a Samsung Galaxy S7. Additionally, U.S. Cellular is offering a free 58-inch Samsung Smart HDTV to new or existing customers who purchase two Samsung Galaxy S devices. The carrier will also offer discounts on wireless and IoT accessories, including the Nest Thermostat ($50 off), drones, wireless speakers, and headphones (all up to 30 percent off).
For business and consumer customers who can’t make it on Black Friday, U.S. Cellular said it will offer half off smartphones until the end of the year.
