Telefónica Digital today announces that it has recruited Pilar Aurrecoechea as Digital Financial Services Director, reporting into Vivek Dev, CEO of Digital Services. Pilar joins Telefónica from MasterCard where she was General Manager for Spain and Portugal.
With analysts predicting that more than a trillion dollars will be spent globally using mobile devices by 2017*, Pilar will lead Telefónica's global efforts in this space, working with the team to build on the capabilities established over the past few years.
Telefónica believes that mobile has the potential to transform the way consumers manage their finances, make payments, send and receive money and discover and redeem offers. It also believes a robust and wide ranging m-commerce ecosystem is required to deliver the best customer experience. Pilar's extensive experience in the financial services sector will be crucial to helping evolve this emerging ecosystem. Part of her role will include representing Telefónica in the joint ventures it has formed in this sector.
Pilar brings to Telefónica over 25 years' experience in the financial services sector, working for leading organisations including MasterCard, Visa Europe and American Express. Most recently she has held the role of Country Manager for Spain and Portugal at MasterCard. Prior to this, she was SVP, Consulting Director Advisory Services at Visa Europe and, before that, SVP, Managing Consultant Continental Europe, also at Visa Europe.
Commenting on the appointment, Vivek Dev, CEO of Digital Services at Telefónica Digital said, "Pilar brings to Telefónica a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial services which will be crucial in helping us take our strategy in this area to the next level. From products through to partnerships and alliances, Pilar's background in the sector will be a hugely valuable addition to the team."
Pilar Aurrecoechea commented, "as mobiles become a gateway to a wide range of financial and m-commerce services, this is a hugely exciting time to be joining the telecoms sector. I believe that Telefónica is already one of the most forward thinking players in this space and I look forward to joining the team there to take full advantage of the huge opportunity we have before us."
Pilar replaces Joaquin Mata Atance who joined the Board of Telefónica España as Chief Technology Officer.