Marilyn O’Connell, who led the development and launch of Verizon Communications’ FiOS TV service, was promoted to chief marketing officer of the Verizon Telecom business unit, overseeing the telco’s phone, broadband and video services for consumers and small business.
Bob Ingalls, currently Verizon Telecom’s CMO, will retire at the end of March, director of media relations Sharon Cohen-Hagar said. O’Connell’s appointment became effective March 1.
Before O’Connell was named senior vice president of video solutions in 2004, she headed the company’s Broadband Solutions group, which encompassed data and video products delivered over the telco’s fiber-to-the-premises FiOS network.
When Verizon began building out its TV operations, O’Connell was put in charge of video exclusively.
Shawn Strickland, previously VP of product management for video services, will take over management of Verizon’s FiOS TV service.
In addition to managing the FiOS TV business, O’Connell assumed a lobbyist’s role, promoting telco interests in Washington, D.C., as well as in states where Verizon has wanted to land cable franchise rights.
O’Connell, 51, was selected as one of Multichannel News’ Wonder Women for 2007. She started her career in the telecommunications business in 1984 when she joined GTE in California, which was later acquired by Verizon.
