Pitney Bowes has named Chuck Cordray the first president of its Volly platform, effective April 4. He previously worked as SVP and GM of Hearst Magazines Digital Media.
Pitney Bowes is planning a second-half 2011 launch for Volly, which will enable brands to send messages such as bills, promotional mail and catalogs directly to consumers through an app. The Volly application will be available for the iPhone and iPad, as well as desktop and laptop computers. The company is also planning an Android version of the app.
Cordray, based in Pitney’s Stamford, Conn., headquarters, will report to Leslie Abi-Karam, EVP and president of mailing solutions management. He will have six VP-level direct reports, he said.
“What I will focus on is working with the team to nail the consumer experience, the ease of use and the range of creativity,” said Cordray. “We want to make this as simple and intuitive as possible.”
He added that he was attracted to the position because it offered the same challenges and opportunities as working for a startup company.
“I was excited about being able to join something that is new and exciting,” said Cordray. “It will be an exciting consumer trend: consumer control of all communications coming towards them in all forms…This will continue to evolve and I want to be a part of this.”
Cordray has worked for Hearst for the past five years. Previously, he worked as SVP of consumer marketing at TV Guide Publishing Group, VP of e-commerce at PriMedia and VP of Meredith Corp.