Mobile TeleSystems, said to be the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, has announces the appointment of Mikhail Gerchuk as the new Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the company. Cynthia Gordon, the former CCO, will now serve as the Global Brand Chief.
As the CCO of MTS, Mr. Gerchuk will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Company's marketing, sales and customer service strategies, as well as realization of overall revenue targets. He will report directly to the CEO.
Mr. Gerchuk joined MTS' marketing team in 2007 as the Group Marketing Director. Since then, he has been responsible for overseeing the development, launch and promotion of marketing campaigns for all countries of operation. Coupled with his achievements in growing the subscriber base and raising revenues across the region, Mr. Gerchuk has brought to MTS a wealth of marketing experience at some of the most renowned international brands that include over five years at the Vodafone Group. Mr. Gerchuk received his MBA from INSEAD.
Ms. Gordon will serve as Global Brand Chief. Ms. Gordon will be responsible for the global management and positioning of the MTS brand and international outreach, including the development of the Company's partnership with Vodafone and building relationships with other leading international companies.
Ms. Gordon has supervised MTS' marketing strategy over the last two years, reaffirming the Company's leading positions in Russia and the CIS and creating the strongest brand in the region. As a testament to Ms. Gordon's leadership, MTS became the first and only Russian company to be named as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Brands, an annual ranking published by the Financial Times and Millward Brown.
"As one of the brightest and most talented managers in Russia, Mikhail is the right person to lead our marketing and sales teams. He combines deep knowledge of MTS, expertise in the Russian market and experience with one of the leading international telecommunications brands," said Mr. Mikhail Shamolin, President and CEO of MTS. "We are grateful to Cynthia that she decided to remain with MTS in her new capacity as the Global Brand Chief. She has demonstrated her passion for the brand and the Company over the years as the CCO, and we are looking forward to her continued contribution."